ISLAMABAD: Shrines in Pakistan are not just places of worship and are powerful centres that shape everyday life, influencing everything from social dynamics to personal struggles, Dr Anita Weiss, Professor Emerita of Global Studies at the University of Oregon, said on Wednesday.
Delivering a lecture titled ‘Development Implications of Local Shrines in Rawalpindi’ at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Dr Weiss shared insights from her ongoing research for Khudake Piyares: Finding Faith and Community in Local Shrines in Rawalpindi.
She emphasised that these shrines transcend religious functions, influencing local power structures, community interactions, and even economic behaviours.
Dr Weiss, who has visited Pakistan for the past 45 years, explained that while her earlier research focused on the ancient shrines of Lahore, those in Rawalpindi and its surrounding areas present a unique cultural and developmental study.
She noted that the majority of shrines in Rawalpindi were established post-Partition, after the mass exodus of Hindus and Sikhs from the region.
“These shrines have been central to Muslim life in South Asia for centuries, serving as hubs of sacredness and community,” she said, adding that the shrines in Rawalpindi represent a relatively recent phenomenon in the region’s religious landscape, with their emergence marking a shift from its pre-1947 Hindu and Sikh population.
While major shrines across Punjab are well-documented, Dr Weiss pointed out that little attention has been given to the hundreds of smaller shrines, which have played a significant role in shaping Rawalpindi into a cultural and religious melting pot.
She also emphasised the pivotal role Sufis played in spreading Islam throughout Punjab and South Asia.
She noted that many shrine custodians in Rawalpindi and Punjab actively supported the All India Muslim League during the creation of Pakistan.
However, she pointed out that the interfaith connections that were once common at these shrines have largely faded over time.
In her study of 34 shrines in Rawalpindi and its suburbs, Dr Weiss found that these shrines are not only places of worship but also key centres for social networking and community engagement.
She explained that visitors often come seeking solutions to personal struggles, whether it is issues related to employment, health, infertility, or marriage.
She added that one of the most common reasons people visit these shrines is their belief that they are inhabited by “Allah kay piyarelooghai” (loved ones of God).
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026