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Sorry to
Florence & Sorry to
France
The glorious city founded by Jam Paniya, Jam Nindo and as according to some by Jam Tamachi in the 15th century A.D; Thatta has attracted the world to her beauty; the historical significance; the glowing marks of the Muslim dynasty, the Islamic art & architecture; Sindh and her people, for their hospitality, tranquil habits, kindness and generosity for millenniums! The story of depriving and disturbing the foreign research scholars at Thatta allegedly in the hands of local thugs with the connivance of police is not a new for any body. The recent most victim being Ms. Florence from France, who was not only deprived of her personal effects but was also brutally tortured and humiliated by the local police forcing her to leave Thatta. The story goes on, on 17th September 2007 at the shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ashaabi, Florence Farida Borek a French scholar, conducting research on the shrines and historical monuments and mysticism in Sindh was snatched off her possessions. Two years back- Harry Alan- a German scholar conducted research work was beaten robbed at Keenjhar Lake. Around the end of 2006; Kay Mei Yamaha Shing, a Japanese scholar an tourist was robbed at Makli. All these incidents with foreigners, in the same region of Sindh, conveniently apparent yet coldly ignored by the government. Florence lost her research notes; her travel documents, digital camera, credit cards, diaries, 200 euros cash and other valuables as on gunpoint by a gang of thugs. A 45 years old French national conducting her doctoral assignment sponsored by Turkey was rejected her right to lodge the FIR by Thatta police! On top she was declared lunatic, and a drug addict by the S.H.O Sikander Shah and his staff and was ruthlessly mocked at. The finishing touch was given by the investigating officer Shoukat Shahani, the following day; who beat Florence up with his boots right after he had offered his prayers during his fast!; Kicked her like a foot ball, while she after getting repeatedly brutally slapped by the bonafide officer, lied helpless on the office floor, till she fainted. Her guide & interpreter, Wazir Qureshi, was threatened to be put behind the bars, and to be beaten up. Recovery of her valuables did not interest the authorities, fine! But her being physically & mentally tortured by the investigating police officer for zero reason did not get any attention of the Chief Minister of Sindh Mr. Arbab at all, nor of the P.M Mr. Aziz neither of course of the President Mr. Musharaf. Centuries of service by the people of Indus valley to the wider world, to the foreign guests, to the needy, to the travelers, to the neighbours, all flushed away!? Sassui Paleejo, Noor Naz Agha, news reporters from major Sindhi dailies and some locals of Thatta made to meet Florence to share her grief. She had to go on a hunger strike (can’t be imagined previously!) to get justice. How come even the fact that France has been one of major donor countries was forgotten by the government? May the Sindh & Sindhis live long! Burying in the graveyard at Makli, I’m leaving my hard work of sixteen years…’ Florence uttered shedding tears and finally decided to give up her struggle against the cold, corrupt, deaf authorities and return safely to her homeland on 23rd September 2007. A right decision; nothing better could she have decided. Florence, before leaving the glorious Thatta, went to the shrine of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ashaabi to pay her respects; listened to the Raag, and then sadly said her last goodbye to the aggrieved local crowd of Thatta; as helpless as Florence!
’I had dreamt to present the
heritage and the culture of Sindh,’|
Yawaralikazmi@gmail.com
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