Combating intolerance: Writers for promoting culture, mysticism

Call for setting up research centres, institute of Sufism in varsities.

Writers and intellectuals warned of rising intolerance and extremism in society and called for efforts to combat the menace by promoting the messages of Sufi saints, said a press release.

“Increasing anger and intolerance pose a great danger to society. We have to promote the messages of Sufis,” they said at a seminar on “Sufis: Proponents of peace and harmony” on Friday.

Through a resolution, they demanded establishment of a national institute of Sufism in Islamabad with its branches in different parts of the country.

They also demanded setting up of Sufi research centres in universities and allocation of 20 per cent of the proceeds from various shrines under the provincial Auqaf departments to these centres.

A number of intellectuals, writers and researchers participated in the thought-provoking academic and intellectual discourse, organised by the Pakistan Intellectual Forum (PIF).

We need to promote cultural programmes to protect society from the scourge of extremism and intolerance, said Khadim Hussain Soomro, a researcher and author of dozens of books on mysticism and the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Tariq Bhatti, a noted intellectual said, “Bigotry is a sign of ignorance and lack of ethical sensitivity. It is extremely disturbing that some clerics are displaying this anti-social trait.”

Shedding light on the growing intolerance and its root causes, Professor Saeed Farani said “The first and foremost root cause is our ignorance, lack of knowledge and understanding of the Sufi saints’ message.”

Dr Ghazanfar Mehdi said “We need to teach children not just how to live together but how to act together as citizens of this country. We need to nurture tolerance and respect – from parliaments to the playground and from the mosque to the market.”

PIF Chairman Hashim Abro said “Muslims must follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the true sense and condemn intolerance.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2013.