Sufi practices in a contemporary perspective

Speakers discuss use of mysticism today, countering extremism with Sufism


Our Correspondent May 07, 2017
PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: Speakers spun tales of local folklore to illustrate the similarities between the people of different faiths on the second day of the 3rd International Sufi Conference on Saturday. The session was titled 'Sufi Mystical Practices and Thoughts: Historical and Contemporary Perspective'.

"One must look towards Sufism to end extremism. We talk of Bhittai's message but why we do we talk of love alone? His message [speaks] in political and social terms, too. We need to bring structural changes in Sindh and Pakistan to counter extremism," said Shahban Sahito, a lecturer at Sindh University, Jamshoro. He mentioned that it is commonly said that 'spirituality is for the rich, because the poor look for job security'.

"Sufism is a vague idea. It is so fine, so refined. It is a way of life that tells the purpose of creation with peaceful coexistence for all," said Saghar Abro of the International Sufi Foundation. "Sufism started at a communal level in Sindh centuries ago." He highlighted the three aspects of Sufism, which are philosophical, psychological and social.

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Researcher Zahida Rehman Jatt shed some light on the folklore of Khawaja Khizar and Udero Lal of Sindh and showed slides to depict how Sindhi society depended on the River Indus for survival and many people personified water as God. "In Sindh, religion has never been orthodox," she said. "River Indus has been considered a divine river." She told the audience that in Udero Lal folklore, Hindus have prayed to the water god.

Naveed Akhtar, a PhD scholar, said Sufis had missionary activities to promote at one time and noted that the academic perspective emerged under peculiar circumstances and ideological disposition.

"Mysticism can be felt and can be seen but the term itself cannot be explained in the material world," said Inaam Sheikh. He said that Sindh was named after the River Sindhu.

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