KHAIRPUR: Custodians of the shrines of Sufi saints managed by the Pakistan Mashaikh Ittehad Council held a meeting at the shrine of Sachal Sarmast on Monday to renew their resolve to counter terrorism and extremism by propagating mysticism with vigour.

Hosted by Sachal Sarmast shrine custodian Khawaja Mian Abdul Haq Farooqui, the congregation discussed ways to spread the philosophy of mysticism in a more effective manner in order to transform society into a tolerant and peaceful one.

The custodians decided to launch their own political party and organise public meetings and rallies across the country. An announcement to this effect would be made soon, they said.

The meeting urged the masses to take the census being held in March seriously and make sure that each and every person was counted and accurate data was entered in the related forms. It appreciated the army for pledging its due role in holding the census, and observed that the army’s role in maintaining law and order in the country was ‘essential’.

Prominent among the participants were Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine custodian Dr Syed Mehdi Raza Shah Sabzwari, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai shrine custodian Dr Syed Waqar Hussain Shah Latifi, Pir Sarhandi shrine custodian Ghulam Mujaddid Sarhandi and Faqeer Ali Akbar Qadri.

Khawaja Farooqui said that the solution to the issue of terrorism and religious extremism in the country lay in the philosophy and teachings of Sufi saints. “The country is facing many serious problems because mysticism is not in practice [amongst the] masses,” he observed, and stressed the need for spreading the messages of Sufi saints with vigour to ensure peace, solidarity and unity of Muslims.

Other custodians, speaking at the meeting, were of concerted view that unfortunately shrines of Sufi saints were mostly regarded as a source of earning alone. They vowed to make practical efforts towards achieving the goal of peace, brotherhood and religious harmony in the country.

Published in Dawn January 31st, 2017