The shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, on a promontory above Clifton Beach, is one of the most visited religious sites in Karachi and the city's principal Sufi shrine. Abdullah Shah Ghazi was an eighth-century Arab missionary credited with bringing Islam to Sindh, and his tomb on this clifftop has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years. The current structure is a white-domed building surrounded by smaller structures and crowded with vendors selling flowers, incense, and devotional materials.
The atmosphere at the shrine is intense and varied — families come for blessings, qawwali musicians perform in the evenings, devotees circle the tomb and offer prayers, and the incense smoke and noise create an experience that is entirely distinct from the quieter mosque culture of the city. Thursday evenings, when the qawwali singing is at its most active, are the most atmospheric time to visit. The hilltop location also provides good views over Clifton and the Arabian Sea. The shrine is open continuously; modest dress is appropriate and shoes must be removed.