Shaykh or Pir is an equivalent of the “Guru”. PIR is used to designate a Sufi teacher who initiates a murid (A disciple/pupil – as interpreted in Indonesia) into the Tariqah (or Tariqua- System of rites for the spiritual training of Sufi Order or Group) according to a concise encyclopedia of Islam edited by Gordon D. Newby (C) 2002.

Critics of Sufism contend that the PIR is an uneducated person whose only claim to authority is his ability to confer barakat (Baraka – Blessings) and who often acts contrary to the Quran and the Shariah. This tension in interpretation of Islam is part of story tradition within Sufism. Sufi sect has devotional tradition of Shiya sect which split or separated Sunni order after death of Prophet Mohammad. Sunni’s are considered as an orthodox order within Islam. The successor of Prophet Mohammad was called as Caliph. Sunni’s believed in electing Caliph but Shiya’s believed in making the successor hereditary (title)! and this caused in schism within Islam.

The internet documented that Baba Sheikh Umar Saheb may have been associated with the 500 year old ritual of hurling or throwing infant babies below the 50 Ft. tower on a sheet being held by group of men to catch baby alive.

It is little wonder that the first group women who could not conceive children. These women approached Baba Shaykh (PIR) of the Dargah or (Muslim Temple) in seeking the barakat (Barack / blessings) to have children. When their wish was fulfilled upon receiving the blessing this Muslim ritual had the being in Sholapur in South India which was ruled by the Shiya Sultan of Bijapur.

It may be noted that the U.S. Politician Barack Obama’s first name via Swahili which has been heavily influenced by Arabic. Source: http://www.reference.com/search?r=13&q=Barakah

BBC/CNN news was incomplete or inaccurate since it did not educate the readers!