Love all, hate none: ‘Sufis spread the message of peace irrespective of religion’
Dr Soomro says that Sindh has a rich history with several Sufis
KARACHI:
Sufis spread the message of love and peace irrespective of religion, said scholars of Sufism at the International Sufi Conference, themed 'Mast-e-Alast - A Message of Love, Hope and Unity.'
On the first day of the two-day conference organised by the provincial culture and tourism department at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday, speakers discussed the importance of the mystical philosophy in the modern era and how it spread to different parts of the world.
Sufism is a path of learning within Islam, with the Sufis teaching their followers about behaviours and experiences, said Prof Dr Muhittin Okumuslar from the faculty of theology of Necmettin Erbakan University, Turkey.
"Sufism entered Sindh during the first years of the Islamic era here," explained Dr Abdul Ghaffar Soomro, the director of the NA Baloch Institute of Heritage Research in Hyderabad. Talking about the Sufi tradition in the province and the role of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Dr Soomro said that Sindh has a rich history with several Sufis, including Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sachal Sar Mast, Shah Abdul Karum Bulri Waro and Bhitai himself. "All Sufis believe that meeting the beloved is possible before death," he said, reciting the verses of various Sufi poets and comparing Bhitai's work to that of Jalaluddin Rumi.
"Sufism doesn't limit a person through religion," said Dr Muhammad Usman Al-Haqqani. "Everything is temporary, the earth and the sky, though Allah made these things very beautiful." He added that when one adopts the way of Sufism, their ego dies.
"Sufism means to spread love," he explained to The Express Tribune. "Sufis entered society and proclaimed the message of peace and love."
Discussing the practices of zikr and muraqaba (meditation), Dr Sahibzada Fariduddin Qadri said that zikr took a person closer to Allah. "It is a way to contact Allah," he said. "It is the only treatment if one is far from Him." He added that meditation was vital for those who follow Sufism. "It keeps the attention away from the world, helping you achieve the mindset of the Sufi saints," he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister's special assistant for culture and tourism, Sharmila Faruqui, said that the dharti (land) of Sindh was an institution of Sufism. "Sufis pleaded for peace, solidarity, fraternity and respect among all nations, communities and individuals," she said. "The message of Sufism - 'love all and hate none' - should be spread all over the world."
Dr Zulfiqar Ali from the University of Sindh recited Bhitai's poetry, which portrays the way of life of a Sufi and how he thinks about his beloved. The inaugural session began with the Sur Kalyan of Bhitai, presented by Shah Ja Faqir. Shahbano Aliani's book 'Set My Heart on Fire' was also launched during the conference. Video clips were shown, displaying how practices like those prevalent in Sufism are also common in other parts of the world.
The first day of the conference came to a close with a 'mystic night'.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2014.
Sufis spread the message of love and peace irrespective of religion, said scholars of Sufism at the International Sufi Conference, themed 'Mast-e-Alast - A Message of Love, Hope and Unity.'
On the first day of the two-day conference organised by the provincial culture and tourism department at the Marriott Hotel on Sunday, speakers discussed the importance of the mystical philosophy in the modern era and how it spread to different parts of the world.
Sufism is a path of learning within Islam, with the Sufis teaching their followers about behaviours and experiences, said Prof Dr Muhittin Okumuslar from the faculty of theology of Necmettin Erbakan University, Turkey.
"Sufism entered Sindh during the first years of the Islamic era here," explained Dr Abdul Ghaffar Soomro, the director of the NA Baloch Institute of Heritage Research in Hyderabad. Talking about the Sufi tradition in the province and the role of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Dr Soomro said that Sindh has a rich history with several Sufis, including Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Sachal Sar Mast, Shah Abdul Karum Bulri Waro and Bhitai himself. "All Sufis believe that meeting the beloved is possible before death," he said, reciting the verses of various Sufi poets and comparing Bhitai's work to that of Jalaluddin Rumi.
"Sufism doesn't limit a person through religion," said Dr Muhammad Usman Al-Haqqani. "Everything is temporary, the earth and the sky, though Allah made these things very beautiful." He added that when one adopts the way of Sufism, their ego dies.
"Sufism means to spread love," he explained to The Express Tribune. "Sufis entered society and proclaimed the message of peace and love."
Discussing the practices of zikr and muraqaba (meditation), Dr Sahibzada Fariduddin Qadri said that zikr took a person closer to Allah. "It is a way to contact Allah," he said. "It is the only treatment if one is far from Him." He added that meditation was vital for those who follow Sufism. "It keeps the attention away from the world, helping you achieve the mindset of the Sufi saints," he said. Meanwhile, the chief minister's special assistant for culture and tourism, Sharmila Faruqui, said that the dharti (land) of Sindh was an institution of Sufism. "Sufis pleaded for peace, solidarity, fraternity and respect among all nations, communities and individuals," she said. "The message of Sufism - 'love all and hate none' - should be spread all over the world."
Dr Zulfiqar Ali from the University of Sindh recited Bhitai's poetry, which portrays the way of life of a Sufi and how he thinks about his beloved. The inaugural session began with the Sur Kalyan of Bhitai, presented by Shah Ja Faqir. Shahbano Aliani's book 'Set My Heart on Fire' was also launched during the conference. Video clips were shown, displaying how practices like those prevalent in Sufism are also common in other parts of the world.
The first day of the conference came to a close with a 'mystic night'.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2014.