HYDERABAD: Speakers at the Sindh Folk Art Festival called for promoting Sindhi culture and philosophies of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast, other Sufis and Allama Iqbal to help eradicate the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country, particularly from Sindh.

They said at the inauguration ceremony of the festival organised by the Institute of Sindhology at the Sindh University, Jam­shoro campus on Friday, that the event was a befitting reply to the dark forces that targeted the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in a bid to create panic among people of Pakistan and devotees, who thronged saints’ shrines to get spiritual peace, said a press release.

PPP Senator Sassui Palijo said that everyone would have to work hard to eliminate terrorism and extremism. “People of Sindh do not want to fall prey to religious fanaticism,” she said.

She said the festival would spread the message of love and peace in society. “Sindhology is a historical institute established by our forefathers. We must own it and work for its dignity and uplift,” she said.

MPA Mehtab Akbar Rashdi said the Sindhology edifice was the fruit of the hard work of Dr Ghulam Ali Allana, former VC of SU, whereas the festival was the result of diligence of Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch, former director of the Institute of Sindhology and resear­cher of global repute.

She said that Sindh had always fought against enemies of folk literature and art.

“That’s why the enemies of education, literature and art had set the institute on fire a few years ago, but they failed to destroy the institute which has grown deep and strong roots in Sindhi society,” she said. She said that some of the enemies were hidden and some were visible. “Sindhis cannot even think of carrying out a suicide attack but it is possible some people may have sold their souls for certain financial benefits. When I came to know that suicide jackets are being prepared in Shikarpur, I was taken aback,” she said.

Fouzia Saeed, social activist and gender expert, said that she was working to promote cultural activities across the country. They were making efforts to form a social organisation for the purpose by the name of ‘Otaq’, she said.

“We will work in all the provinces in an attempt to bring people of Pakistan closer and ensure peace and tranquillity in society by promoting culture,” she said.

Institute of Sindhology director Dr Ishaque Samejo said the festival was in fact a reply to the elements which attacked the Qalandar shrine. Sindhology would be doing its best to create harmony and brotherhood among people by disseminating Sufis’ message, he said.

Many folk singers, musicians and stage artists performed in the festival.

Faculty of Natural Science dean Prof Dr Akhtar Hussain Mughal participated in the festival on behalf of the VC while prominent intellectuals and writers Hameed Akhund, Irum Mehboob, Inam Shaikh, Qamar Wahid, Niaz Panhwar, Ghulam Mustafa Solangi, Dr Ayoub Shaikh, Nisar Khokhar, Rasool Bux Dars, Sakhar Lashari, Yasmeen Rind, teachers and members of SU staff attended the festival.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2017