Zikri

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The Zikri (Arabic: ذكرى) faith is an offshoot of Islam concentrated in Makran, Balochistan. It is generally regarded as heretical by mainstream Muslims. There are said to be approximately 750,000 Zikris [1].

The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word dhikr (pronounced "Zikr" in South Asia). The word is commonly used to describe Sufi worship. The faith is based on the teachings of Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri, a 15th century Mahdi claimant.

Like mainstream Muslims, Zikris are supposed to pray five times daily. However, the content of their prayers, which they call Zikr, differs from the orthodox practice of Salah. Although Mahdavis, the direct followers of the same saint offer prayers according to the Sunnah and follow Sunnah which was practised and stressed by the saint. Syed Mohammed Jaunpuri would strictly adhere to the Sunnah of Prophet and accordingly the commandments in the Qur'an. The Mahdavis perform Hajj and even Umrah.

The Zikris, however, do not perform the standard Islamic Hajj, but instead make pilgrimage (ziyarat) to a shrine called Koh-e-Murad (Mountain of Desire), in Persian). The shrine is located in the city of Turbat in Balochistan. They do ziyarat on the 27th night of Ramadan.

Most Zikris live in Balochistan, where they are the majority religious group in the district of Gwadar. There are also large groups of Zikris in the Pakistani city of Karachi, the Pakistani province of Sindh, and in Iran.