THIS is with reference to the write-up ‘Guru Nanak, a grounded celestial bard’ (Nov 25) which talked about the Guru’s sufi teachings. Sufi thoughts existed long before Guru’s time. Imam Ghazali was a prominent sufi who propagated such thoughts. Then came the Chishtis and the Naqshbandis. For argument’s sake, had we followed in the progressive footsteps and teachings of Ibn Rushd, we would be leading the world today.

The inter-community harmony is no doubt the current trend, but this cannot be compared with the mediaeval period. If we were happy with multi-ethnic harmony, what was the point of demanding a separate sovereign state? Where were the effects of the Guru’s sufi teachings during the bloody phase of Partition?

Hasan Beg
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2025