IT was only a matter of time. What began as an exercise in capturing travel highlights or a bit of citizen journalism via social media has taken over every life event. Occasions as sombre as funerals and as mundane as transfers now trend across platforms. Maybe, because the vernacular word borrowed from Arabic for both death and transfer is ‘intiqal’, a transfer of sorts from one world to another.

‘Uzr-Khwahi’, as the condolence wake is called in Sindh, has its roots in the tradition of supporting family and friends during difficult times. Like many customs, it is meant as a socio-emotional coping mechanism, but it is not without its drawbacks. For example, in Sindh, a condolence is never considered too late. The bereaved family must keep the wake going for extended periods to allow mourners to say fateha. This can stretch into weeks, depending on the stature of the deceased.

The tradition is also used to resolve grievances and reconcile with family and friends. It is also employed for political rapprochement and forming alliances. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari recently visited the residence of former Sindh chief minister Mumtaz Bhutto in Larkana for condolence. The senior Mr Bhutto had passed away about four years........

© Dawn