HYDERABAD: Speakers at a literary moot called for spreading teachings of all Sufis to promote universal brotherhood, love, peace and harmony in the world and believed Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s prayer for the prosperity of Sindh has started turning into reality in the shape of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
They said at the international adabi conference held on the second day of three-day 275th urs of Shah Latif at H.T. Sorley Hall in Bhitshah on Thursday that research be conducted on various aspects of Bhitai’s poetry and his message be disseminated to do away with impatience, hatred, terrorism and chaos.
Bhitai’s poetry could change social attitudes, they said.
Prominent historian Dr Mubarak Ali described Bhitai’s poetry as moderate, pacifist and humane with universal message of patience and tolerance for all and teachings on how people should lead their lives with peace of mind.
He said the saint’s works were imbued with patriotism and provided vivid picture of his life and times in his poetry.
There were still numerous aspects of his works which needed to be researched, he said.
Syed Waqar Hussain Shah Latifi, custodian of Bhitai’s shrine who spoke as chief guest at the conference, said that high human values which were at the centre of the saint’s works were the first casualty of modern times. One must look into the causes of their downfall, he said.
He called for spreading teachings of all Sufis of the province to promote love, peace, integrity and harmony. Shah sahib prayed for the prosperity of Sindh and it had started turning into reality in the shape of CPEC, he said.
He said that all big shrines of the province including that of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Abdullah Shah Ghazi and others were centres of dissemination of Sufi ideas and shelter for the devotees who were provided langar without any discrimination of race, colour, religion and creed.
He said that the shrines’ importance should be highlighted in the world as Islam was a religion of peace, brotherhood, love and harmony and it abhorred religious extremism and terrorism.
“We are all heirs to Bhitai’s message and we all should spread it in the world,” he said. The government should release funds to the world’s first Sufi university launched in Bhitshah, he said.
Dr Nawaz Kumbhar said reading out a paper that Bhitai elucidated his times in a beautiful manner and made everything under the sun — from stars to seasons, nights to wind, storms and crops — subjects of his poetry. He said that Bhitai had the expertise to make his readers listen to birds’ sounds and feel various crops’ seasons to admire Almighty Allah.
Prof Tahira Anjum called teaching of Bhitai’s message an obligation on all mankind and said that his works were imbued with loyalty for one’s motherland and respect for women.
Mehmood Khan Abro, Yousuf Shaheen, Altaf Memon, Akhtar Dargahi, Taj Joyo and others also spoke at the conference.
A discussion on “supporter or rival of establishment” was held on the sidelines of the moot which was moderated by Dr Sher and discussed by Dr Asad Jamal and Shoukat Ujjan.
Meanwhile, Sindh culture department launched three books at the annual literary moot which included Shah jo Risalo Bheromal ji nazar mai, Raag saagar and Wihan moun na warr.
Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2018
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