‘Awaken the soul and let knowledge in’

Scholars discuss Rumi, Bahoo’s work.

ISLAMABAD: Speakers of a conference have called for invoking messages of Sufi saints to fight obscurantism, fanaticism, extremism, avarice and social imbalance in societies across the world.

They were speaking at a one-day international conference titled “Sultan Bahoo and Mevlana Rumi”, organised by the Muslim Institute on Tuesday.  The conference aimed at highlighting teachings of the eminent scholars and Sufi poets who played a vital role in guiding people towards love and also paved the way for peaceful coexistence.

Government Postgraduate College for Women Rawalpindi Principal Dr Aila Sohail Khan said unflagging efforts were required to resist temptations in order to create an ideal society.

“We should fight our ego because it is corrupting our mind and destroying our soul. When knowledge is applied to the spiritual heart, it gives contentment and self-actualisation, however, it becomes destructive when it is applied to mere satisfaction of worldly desires and wishes,” said Dr Erkan Turkmen from Turkey.

He added that Bahoo and Rumi believed the soul is the ultimate source of all sorts of knowledge and once it is awakened, one gets universal knowledge.

Khunjad State University (Tajikistan) Prof Dr Nurali Nuzrat expressed his willingness to promote Bahoo’s teachings in Tajikistan for the guidance of truth seekers.

Muslim Institute Chairman Sultan Ali said it is imperative to implement Bahoo and Rumi’s teachings.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2014.