Jammu and Kashmir has hosted the first-ever international conference on sufism with the presence of religious experts from around the globe and intellectuals from every nook and corner at the Kashmir International Conference Center.
Voice for Peace and Justice, a prominent NGO, organised the conference on Thursday for the benefit of global community, said a press release.
It attempted to reconnect Kashmiri and Indian culture with the international community through the spiritual message Indian Sufis were known for.
The conference was attended by people from all walks of life from Sufis to academia, theologists, policymakers, international issues experts and Islamic scholars from more than nine countries including Germany , Turkey , France, Turkey, Tanzania , Maldives , Sri Lanka , Bangladesh, and Nepal.
The scholars of Hinduism, Sikhism and other religions from different states also attended the Conference.
The conference placed an emphasis on the revival of Sufism in Kashmir as it is the only way forward for the reimposition of peace in Valley. Kashmir had been a hotspot for conflict and violence for decades. Extremist Islamists worked hard to ruin the very basic and old tradition of coexistence of various communities, communal harmony, and the brotherhood for which Kashmir was known.
"It is a pleasure for us to conduct this kind of conference in Kashmir," said Shehreyar Dar, senior vice president of Voice for Peace and Justice, in welcoming the guests of the International repute.
The conference, according to the deputy vice chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives, who spoke at the event, gave a message to the world that respect for humanity is important in the modern world and that all people should live in harmony and with respect for one another.
In his speech, Syed Tayabul Bashar, a Sufi leader from of Bangladesh, stated that "It was my first visit to Kashmir, and I am impressed that people in Kashmir are so welcoming."
He said that there is a greater need today to save and serve humanity and what better way than to promote Sufism which is peace tolerance and unity amongst people and that this message should be passed on to future generations.
"As Muslims, we strongly oppose any sort of radicalism and extremist, this evil forces should be fought unitedly to save save guard the next generations and humanity as a whole. Sufism should be promoted in education systems In policies and in Patrice with importance towards youth. The message of sufism is one of peace, security, love, tolerance, and service," he added.
In his speech, the Grand Muft of J&K, Nasir-ul-Islam, thanked all the dignitaries from around the world for coming to Kashmir for the conference and praised Voice for Peace and Justice's efforts and said the organisation must continue organising such kind of conferences to foster intercultural understanding and respect for the religious beliefs of all the communities.
In his address, the event's chief guest, Turkish Sufi Master Sheikh Esraf Efendi, commended the Voice for Peace and Justice Organization for hosting such an international conference in Kashmir, the Sufi homeland.
He claimed that India is a multilingual, multicultural, and multireligious melting pot where various faiths, languages, and languages all coexist.
"India creates a land that accepts and integrates all. In order to avoid fanaticism, which causes confusion, he continued, interfaith interaction is important."
“Fanaticism is encouraged by self-serving, malevolent powers with vested interests that want to split society apart and sow discord among the people. However, interfaith conversation offers a forum for believers from all faiths to interact, clear up any confusion, advance interreligious understanding, and forge new relationships."
Abdul Shaqir Bermpohl from France , Ibrahim Schultze from Germany , Syed Tayabul Bashar from Bangladesh , Abdul Azeez Mohammed Nazardeen from Srilanka , Mufti Mohammad Usman Grand Mufti Napel , Saudullah Ali from Maldives , Shekh Al-Had Moosa Salim Grand Mufti of Tanzania , Ahmad Cline from Switzerland , Ghulam Rasool from Delhi , Dr Tawseef Ahmad ,Director Sayed Hassan Mantaqi research academy, Prof Manzoor Ahmad Tantary , Prof Fayaz Ahmad Nika , Shia Leader Syed Nazeer Hussain , Mohammad Sadiq from UT of Ladakh, Mohammad Jabreel from Bihar, Shia LeaderHujatul Islam Aga Syed Abid Hussain , Prof Shahid Rasool , Prof Bashir Ahmad , Satinder Singh Secretary Gurdwara Parbandhaq Committee ,Satish Mahaldar President J&K Peace Forum , Prof Mohammad Afzal from UP , Syed Qameriudin from Ajmer Sharef Rajistan , Rouf-ul-Rasool Naqashibandi from Nazimudin Delhi , Ajaz Kawoosi, General Secretary of Voice for Peace and Justice, Zeeshan Farooq Dar, President Utthaan Mission Trust, Samiyaz Sofi, Ghulam Nabi Dar, Sheikh Javid Naqishbandi Parton All India Tanzeem-ul-Ama-e- Islam Delhi and Prof Mushtaq Ahmad Dar were other dignitaries present on the occasion.
The Conference concluded with Prayers of Peace, Harmony, and Unity across India and the world. The Dua-e-Roshni ceremony was also observed by all the delegations.
