Religious Beliefs Kech
According to 1981 census, the Muslims constitute an overwhelming majority of population in Kech while the remaining population include Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Parsis, and Sikhs. Zikri, a significant religious faith in Makran, is not mentioned in the 1981 census. The reason is that Zikris claim to be Muslims while the Sunni Muslims denounce their claim. The beliefs and rituals practised by Zikris are completely different from those of Islam. The Zikris believe in a new prophet and deny the performance of the most important rituals of Islam. Zikris, taking their name from the Arabic word zikr (remembering the Almighty), believe that only repeating the litany is a valid form of worship. The Zikris repudiate the performance of nimaz (Muslim prayer five times a day) and name other Muslims as Nimazi. The most important of the rituals is performed on the 27th day of Ramazan when the barefoot Zikris circumbulate the Koh-i-murad, located in Turbat and perform other rituals. In the past Zikris named this ritual as hajj but now they call it simply a ziarat (visit to a shrine). According to the information obtained Zikris are about 50 percent in Turbat town and about 70 percent in the areas east of Turbat town and in Kolwa. But they are non-existent in the north-western areas of Kech district. The Zikris are about 25 percent in the south-western part of the district.
The conflict between Muslims and Zikris is centuries old. Zikri religion is said to be originated about four centuries ago. When the Buledais converted from Zikri faith to Islam, the Zikris denied their rule and supported Gichkis who were Zikris by faith. Mir Nasir Khan of Kalat sent nine expeditions to obsolete the Zikri faith in Makran. Many a times religious scholars from both sides of the Iran border called for jihad (sacred fight) against Zikris and organised efforts were made to eliminate Zikris or to convert them to Islam. The most recent conflict surfaced in 1987 when a Zikri mullah (religious leader) challenged the Muslims for a munazara (arguments and counter-arguments) on trueness of Zikris. Almost all the Islamic religious parties took it as a stimulus and demanded a proclamation by the government to declare Zikris as non-Muslims. In Ramazan, they gathered in Turbat and tried to stop Zikris from performing their rituals. For the last two years this conflict has been cooled down as the Muslim scholars have decided to preach to Zikris and create awareness about the misleading beliefs of Zikris. It is said that a large scale conversion of Zikris to Islam has happened due to preaching. However, Zikri sources denounce this claim and say that the campaign initiated by the Muslim ulema (scholars) has strengthened the boundaries of their faith.
In Kech, sectarian violence is minimal as most of the people belong to Sunni sect of Islam. They believe in Hanfi interpretation of Shariah. Generally, folks have religious attitudes and practice Islam according to its fundamental principles. Inheritance is divided according to the Islamic principles and even daughters are given their property rights accordingly. However some Gichki families give their daughters an equal share in inheritance as of a son. All Islamic days are celebrated with zeal and fervour.
There are only a few residents of other minorities, such as Hindus, Parsis and Ahmadis.