SUKKUR: Based on spiritual and ethical ideals, sufism is the roadmap of tolerance and interfaith harmony.

The sufi festival will pave the way towards continuity of the legacy of great sufi saints.

This was stated by MPA Munawwar Ali Wassan at the concluding session of the four-day National Sufi Folk Festival organised by Shah Abdul Latif University (Salu), Khairpur, jointly with the Thespianz Theatre Foundation (TTF), Karachi. MPA Wassan was the chief guest of the event, which was presided over by Salu Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Parveen Shah.

Speaking at the session, Prof Shah said the festival would in the long run help contain extremism, sectarianism and fundamentalism as well as socio-political and cultural taboos.

“We have propagated the message of peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and inclusiveness as taught by our great sufi saints and scholars,” she said.

She thanked the organising committee, district administration and police department for their cooperation in the holding of the event.

TTF chief executive officer Faisal Malik presented a vote of thanks to the guests, artists and audience.

Prior to the session, a ‘Matka’ cultural dance was performed by Salu students.

At the end of the ceremony, shields were presented to the custodians of various shrines, artists and delegates representing the four provinces.

Prof Dr Mohammad Yousuf Khushk, Prof Dr Syed Asad Raza Abidi and faculty deans and members, Salu registrar, civil society activists, officers, employees and students attended the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2019