Thousands attend Edhi’s soyem amid tight security

Karachi: Thousands of people attended the soyem (the gathering three days after death in family) for prominent Pakistani philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi here on Sunday amid tight security.

Quran Khawani and prayers were held since morning for the departed humanitarian who passed away at the age of 92 on Friday night after a prolonged battle with renal failure.

“Hundreds of people including some politicians and celebrities have shown up on Sunday for the soyem,” his son, Faisal Edhi said.

“There are tight security measures for the soyem in and outside the Memon mosque,” he added.

Edhi was given a state funeral by the government on Saturday at the National stadium and laid to rest at the Edhi village. His funeral was attended by tens of thousands of people including President Mamnoon Hussain and army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Faisal said around 800 policemen and paramilitary rangers were deputed for the soyem.

“The roads in and around the mosque are also closed for traffic,” he added.

The Memon mosque is located in the old area of Karachi near Kharadar and Bolton Market where Edhi launched his first welfare home for the poor, needy and destitute in 1951.

The country has been in a state of mourning since Edhi’s death with shopping centres and markets largely remaining closed on Sunday as well.

Ateeq ur Rehman who heads the all Karachi traders association said majority of the markets and shopping centres were closed as a mark of respect for Edhi.

“He was humanity himself and Pakistan and its poor, homeless and needy people have suffered a big loss in his passing away,” Ateeq said.

Edhi, who had dedicated his life to humanity and serving the poor, was widely respected in Pakistan due to his humanitarian and social welfare works.

Edhi foundation had taken care of an Indian girl, Geeta, during her over a decade-long stay in Pakistan. Geeta, with speech and hearing impairments, was about 11 years old when she is believed to have accidentally crossed over to Pakistan and returned to India in October last year.

Not only in Pakistan where the Edhi ambulance service is the largest free network for the needy and poor, philanthropist Edhi received accolades for his work from India, Bosnia, Lebanon and Myanmar as well.

Nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize, including this year, Edhi had won a host of international awards in recognition of his work.

Sindh government has announced three days of mourning to be observed in the state where Edhi had migrated from Gujarat after India’s partition in 1947.