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Zikrism (also Zikriyya)[1][2] is a Mahdist minority Muslim group or sect found primarily in the Balochistan region of western Pakistan. The name Zikri comes from the Arabic word Dhikr.[3]
Like Shia and Sunni Muslims, Zikri revere the Quran. However, they follow different prayer practices and believe the Mahdi (the messiah figure and Final Leader in Islamic eschatology who is believed to appear at the end of times to rid the world of evil and injustice) has already come.
They already suffered sectarian attacks before the founding of Pakistan and more recent attacks and insecurity episodes have led some of them to migrate from Balochistan to Pakistan's cities.[4][5]
Their population is estimated to be somewhere between 500,000 and 800,000 individuals.[6]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Boyajian-Sureniants-noteswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:2was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Mawani, Rizwan (2019). Beyond the Mosque: Diverse Spaces of Muslim Worship. IB Tauris. ISBN 978-1788315272.
- ^ Baloch, Inayatullah (2 January 2015). "Zikris of Balochistan". Oxford in Pakistan Readings in Sociology and Social Anthropology. Retrieved 9 August 2023. quoted in "Zikris under attack in Balochistan". Dawn. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Baloch-Responsible-2014was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: Pakistan". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2023-08-21.