LITERARY NOTES: Conference on Sufism and Peace

The three-day International Conference on Sufism and Peace has been successful in sending a strong signal to the world that Pakistani people were the legatees of a peace-loving tradition, as manifested by the teachings of the great mystic divines from Morocco to Indonesia.
Convened by the Pakistan Academy of Letters, the inaugural speeches of the President of Pakistan and the Federal Minister of Education and the welcoming speech of the PAL Chairman could, in fact, be regarded as emphasising the importance of the values of mutual coexistence in a multi-religious, multi-linguistic and multi-racial society in Pakistan.
Some 375 writers, from all over Pakistan, including 80 delegates of 38 countries of the world, sat together. They included renowned authorities on Mysticism from Chile to Indonesia. It was a bit of surprise to see a strong Scandinavian presence - Denmark, Sweden, Finland - largely due to the strong support extended by Peter Curman, former President of the Swedish Writers Union and moving spirit behind the Baltic Writers Union. Peter Curman was recently awarded the Quaid-e-Azam International Award for Literature and, wearing a Shalwar- Qameez and a waistcoat most of the time was looking very much a fellow countryman from Hunza or Gilgit.
Only three Pakistanis, Dr Nizamuddin, VC, University of Gujrat, Dr Fahmida Hussain, Chairperson of Sindhi Language Authority and Dr Naveeda Ahmed of G.C University of Lahore could present their papers. Most Pakistani writers had to sacrifice their slots in order to make room for foreign academics. Not a bad idea, but more Pakistani writers could have been accommodated with better planning. Such a successful international conference had shown some lapses, particularly in relation to the participation of Pakistani writers. Anyhow, Pakistanis are a hospitable lot and looked good by providing this conference a formidable quality audience.
This scribe was asked to summarise the papers of the foreign delegates and read out the Declaration of the Conference. It could be asked why the theme of Sufism and Peace was selected for the conference, I believe almost everyone who knew, that Swat, FATA and North-South Waziristan are not quite far from Islamabad could appreciate that the message of peace had to be a bit stronger and louder. And indeed, it was. Pakistan welcomes Sufism, as evidenced by the unending number of Urs - the annual "festivities" at Saints' mausoleums. It is sad that we have not been able to be half as productive as Iran and Turkey in this area, despite being a country of 170 million.
The three day conference, which had some 60 presentations, has surely broadened the horizons of Pakistani academics and enthusiasts. It has rightly revealed that mysticism is not just limited to Islam. It is emphasising the vertical development of man, alongwith the horizontal of human life. We cannot ignore the social, political and economic realities on the ground. It is, at best, a humanistic universal peace and brotherhood.
I liked the way President Zardari dwelt on the contributions of the Sufis and that even a "speck" - a humble creature - could make a difference and do good to others. The erudite Sardar Asif Ahmed Ali, himself a poet, with a collection of poetry entitled 'High Assembly of Sages,' made an impressive speech on the relationship of religion and mysticism. He thought that they were one and the same and no dichotomy existed between them.
He also recited his poem 'Samma' on the occasion as follows:
Samma
They dance and swirl with cosmos, annihilating in Supreme Spirit's locus.
In self's destruction, anew are born, of wants, lusts and greeds are shorn.
Their spirit in perpetual wonder resides, When cross they certainty's bridge of confides.
From reality of similitudes witness His Will, Where cosmic existence and time stands still.
Present, future and all pasts give their display, All laws of universe there do lay.
Thence to abode of angels are transported;
Its unparalleled beauty is there seen and reported.
For most, the journey there does end, Because regions of perfection few can comprehend.
Elect of elect there are admitted.
Where love reigns, all else is submitted.
There's no cup, nor there's wine, Nor a Saki with vestments fine.
The poem was liked by the audience for its immaculate delivery and aptness.
Fakhar Zaman, Chairman Pakistan Academy of Letters said that Pakistan was not a theoretic state and the mullahs, who believed in militancy, had no place in Pakistan.
The text of the Declaration is itself, a document acclaimed and endorsed by the delegates and worth reading as an important document. It reads as follows:
"We, the representatives of different faiths, communities and cultures, participating in this International Conference on Sufism and Peace, organised in Islamabad by Pakistan Academy of Letters, stress the promotion of the role of Sufism and peace for peaceful coexistence, cultural harmony and understanding in our turbulent world. We have noted that a multi-cultural society in the world has now become the only way to promote humanistic ideals embedded in the spiritual development of mankind as enunciated by Sufism.
We take pleasure in concluding the role of civil societies in creating social awareness about inter-religious harmony, human rights and respect of law, as well as the role of Sufism in promoting tolerance, mutual respect and human dignity that is part of all religions and civilisations and;
1. "Affirms that differences and misconceptions should be sorted out on the principle of respect for all faiths and persuasions. We think that sharing and practical steps should be taken to promote positive aspects of global harmony and peace.
2. "Affirms that the concrete and evidence-based solutions to tensions and misconceptions, between various societies and religions, be sought with the advice of intellectuals, writers, thinkers and artists and organisations striving for peace.
3. "Recalls that writers and intellectuals working with print and electronic media should adopt more mature and responsible code of conduct. The various faiths and religions in the word advocate peace, compassion, and tolerance among mankind.
"Affirms commitment to peace, co-operation, harmony and reconciliation and dialogue towards a culture of peace, as part of the solution to the challenges we face today. At the same time it is affirmed that, in future, such forums will enable self-reflection on the critical role each of us can play in contributing to a better world.
"The Islamabad declaration condemns all forms of terrorism, not only in Pakistan but all over the world. The galaxy of writers assembled in Pakistan thinks that all of us should not only show tolerance to all creeds-regardless of race, creed and all forms of political persuasions, but work for the acceptance of the diversity of creeds, as the flowering of pluralism and multi-culturalism is the only way to the nourishment and sustenance the human civilisation.
"The Islamabad declaration acknowledges the memorable contribution which the Pakistan Academy of Letters, the Government of Pakistan, have made by strenuous efforts to have this between interaction this galaxy of human intellect and wisdom, to demonstrate the primacy of pen and peace over the forces of darkness and turbulence. From the land of Data Ganj Buksh, Bulleh Shah, Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai, Rahman Baba, Mast Tawakli, Sachel Sarmast and Khwaja Ghulam Farid."
I believe this declaration is worth treating as an important document.