Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday urged people to follow Sufism as it would promote peace and democracy in the country. Senior journalist Nazir Leghari while addressing the conference title 'Sufism, Peace and Democracy' organised by Women Centre Pakistan at a local hotel, said that people have unfortunately forgotten the true narrative of religion, which was spread by the great Sufis, intelligentsia, and poets of the region.
"Peace, liberty, brotherhood and respect of difference of opinion were the principles of the Islam; however since we have been frontline state of the doctrine of cold war, a wrong and terrified narrative of religion was enforced on the minds of the people working on the key posts of different institutions. As a result various fragments/groups emerged in the society on the basis of religion and sect. These groups were provided weapons to carryout terrorist activities time and again in order to achieve their nefarious objectives," he lamented.
He said due to this prolong unrest, Pakistan was amongst the less developing countries in South Asia. "According to World Bank's latest report, he said India, Bangladesh, Siri Lanka, and Bhutan were fast developing countries compared with Pakistan. "We will not be able to compete the fast growing world unless we replace 'Mullaiat' with the thoughts of great Sufis-Bulhe Shah and Sachal Sarmast," he said.
"I am not a religious scholar, but as a journalist I observe that Islam is at a crucial stage, we forgot the massage of justice and equality conveyed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)- the last messenger of Allah. We have left even thinking on humanitarian ground. It's high time to follow the teachings of Sufis like Lal Shehbaz Qalandar, Bahauddin Zakarya Multani, Khwaja Moinuddin Ajmiri, Shah Latif and Sachal Sarmast- the galaxies of Sufism who stood up against 'Mullaiat' as well as the state's determinism/dictation," he added.
Fauzia Shaheen, Executive Director Women Media Centre Pakistan while giving welcome speech said that the purpose of organising the event was to present the theme of trainings/workshops on Sufism conducted by WMC in various cities during the year.
"Spreading the teachings of Sufism among the children is necessary since the people of the country have been divided into various factions. Today we are known from their cast, creed and sect. As human we have lost our identification," she said. She urged the people to be familiar with the teachings of Sufis so that they will create a better country in which peace, brotherhood, love and respect the difference of opinion could be ensured in practical sense.
Taking about the WMC she said that the institute has been empowering the women for the last 10 years. Some 2000 women have been trained and they are now working at various media channels and newspapers.
Dr Jawed Hassan Chandio, Chairman Sariki Department, Islamia University of Bhawalpur, Khadim Hussain Soomro, Chairman Sindh Sufi Institute, and Ali Arqam, journalist and researcher from KPK also spoke on this occasion.
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