World Peace Conference in Matiari attended by over 400 gadi nasheens. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The demand was made at a ‘World Peace Conference’ event in Matiari that was attended by around 400 gadi nasheens of shrines in Pakistan and some from India. “We want to contribute towards the eradication of terrorism and extremism from the sub-continent,” said National Mashaikh Council president Khwaja Qutubuddin Fareedi.
Bilaluddin Chishti, the caretaker of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz shrine in India, emphasised on the need of concerted efforts by the descendants of sufis to help their governments establish lasting peace. “Sufism can help provide a remedy to extremism.”
Mian Aijaz Hajweri of Data Darbar in Lahore spoke about the provocative acts that incite violent reactions from Muslims. Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, the caretaker of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s shrine, asked the government to recognise the importance of saints in promoting religious harmony and to help them spread the message of sufism. “It’s unfortunate that, even in Sindh, the stench of explosive materials is spreading faster than the fragrance of peace and harmony.”
Khwaja Ghulam Fareed’s gadi nasheen Mehboob Moiuddin said the society should look towards spiritual saints to find a solution to the materialism-induced problems in their lives. “The time has come for all of us to join hands. The time has come to expose the elements bringing a bad name to Islam,” said Ghausia Jamaat’s leader Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in his telephonic speech.
The participants passed resolutions demanding the government benefit from the urs celebrations of the sufis by arranging events to highlight their importance. It also demanded the government give them funds to set up madrassas in shrines that can give children modern-day and spiritual education.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2015.
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