ISLAMABAD: MUSLIM Institute organised a lecture titled “Sufism and the West” by Professor Marcia Hermensen, Loyola University Chicago, US. Sardar Masood Khan (President Azad Jammu & Kashmir) was chief guest on the occasion Dr Sahira Alvi was the Moderator of Lecture. Chairman MUSLIM Institute Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali opened the house with opening remarks, says a press release issued here on Tuesday.

Sufism is the actual narrative of Islam. It is the actual form practiced for centuries which made possible the co-existence among various religions and civilizations in the past. It’s that impulse to have direct experience of the ultimate reality. Sufism is often characterized as culture friendly so that Islamic thought could penetrate through art and poetry and Islam could spread around the world by being able to meet people where they were in their cultural interest in an adaptive manner.

In the wake of globalization, we saw an immense increase in migration from ‘East’ to ‘West’ along with the invention of different modes of transportation. This explains not only how more and more western population came into contact with Sufism but also the establishment of Sufism in the West as an academic field. There is no denying the fact that even after eight centuries Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi remains one of the bestselling poets in the west. The isolation of individual has lead people to search inner peace in Sufi poetry which can thus create a peace loving and friendly society.

Sufism provides western community with rationality and objectivity regarding contemporary issues. Multiculturalism has emerged as a reality and Sufism provides us with the platform of interaction between the East and the West. Sufi teachings are not limited to one society but appeal all civilizations. One peculiarity of Sufi teachings is that it addresses humanity above all linguistic, racial and ethnic differences. In the wake of prevailing extreme tendencies, Sufi teachings can lead us towards harmony and brotherhood. Focusing the commonalities and bridging the gap among people has been the special focus of Sufism which is the need of the hour.

Historical overview testifies the notion that whenever Sufi philosophy was dominant in a society, it repelled all forms of discrimination and violence. Sufism focuses more on practice than theory but intellectual and literary services rendered by Sufis speak clear of the reality of their ardent love for knowledge. Piety, discipline, and self-cultivation as the standards of Sufism are based in knowledge but not “on” knowledge.

Portrayal of Muslims as extremists in the west has given rise to Islamophobia which has further caused reactions in the East. In has also given rise to reaction especially from Muslim communities. Therefore, there is a dire need of dialogue between Muslims and the West for the resolution of contemporary issues. We are all connected to Sufism because of our spiritual aspect. Even the scientists are also looking for spiritual connections behind physical happenings. Sufis over the centuries have helped millions of people when they feel helpless or lost true path.

Scholars, academicians, researchers and foreign delegates participated in the seminar. Questions were also raised by the auspicious gathering and answered by distinguished guests during a separate interactive session.—PR