The message of Sufis: ‘Peace and love in Sindh come from Sufism’

Sufism in Sindh was similar to that in other parts of the world; until 13th century Sufism was ascetic in nature

KHAIRPUR:

The peace and love in Sindhi culture come from Sufism, said Dr Michel Boivin, Professor of History and Anthropology of Muslim South Asia at the School of Advance Studies, University of Paris, France, at a lecture at Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, on Friday.

Dr Boivin's lecture, titled 'Sufism, Culture and Society: Sindh in the Perspective of Historical Anthropology', was jointly organized by the Archaeology and Anthropology Museum and the SALU Sachal Chair and presided over by university pro-vice chancellor Prof Dr Miandad Zardari.

"There are signs, discovered through inscriptions and figures, that the first Sufi in Sindh was Haji Turab in the ninth century," explained Dr Boivin. "Sindh is the cradle of Sufism. Shah Inayat, Shah Latif, Sachal Sarmast and Bedal Bekas were the eminent Sufis who promoted the culture of love, affection, tolerance, brotherhood, interfaith harmony and peace in Sindhi society."



He said that Sufism in Sindh was similar to Sufism in other parts of the world, adding that up until the 13th century, Sufism was mostly ascetic in nature. "It was not until then that four branches of tareeqat - Suharwardia, Naqshbandia, Chishtia and Qadria - came into existence."

Meanwhile, Prof Zardari said in his speech that Sufism was a symbol of peace and love. "Sindhi society follows this ideal in daily life," he claimed.

Prof Dr Mastoor Fatima Bukhari, the museum director, welcomed Dr Boivin and the audience, highlighting that objectives and activities of the museum.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2014.