HYDERABAD, April 16: Tolerance and inter-faith harmony are two basic tenets of Sufism which, if followed religiously, will wipe out extremism and bigotry running high among today’s youth. People can take guidance from the philosophy of Sufism which propagates peace, love and brotherhood.

Lauding the role of Sufis, speakers read papers in Urdu, English, Arabic and Sindhi delving mostly on tolerance, since religious intolerance is presently very high.

Faculty of Islamic Studies in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro arranged a conference at the campus on Monday titled the “Role of Sufis in international religious harmony and tolerance.”

Senator Aajiz Dhamra chaired the inaugural session with Dean, Faculty of Sciences, and In-charge Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr Mohammad Tahir Rajput as the chief guest.

Dr Rajput speaking on extremism and intolerance said that it was not confined to this country only but the entire world was in its grip, which, with the time is heating up.

“Sufis try to please Allah Almighty through prayers and mediation. They lead simple lives and emphasis others to follow in their footsteps. Their teachings are capable of changing the mind and heart of people because these are mission-oriented, he said.

Sindh is the centre of Indus civilization and being the oldest has the honour of preaching brotherhood to the world from ancient times.

Keynote speaker Dr Mohammad Baqir Khaqwani from Allama Iqbal Open University said Sufis played key role in spreading the message of Islam and especially in the Sub-Continent, they played an active role in promotion of love and brother hood. Mysticism preaches Sufism, he said.

Prof Ahmed Jan Al-Azhari from Islamabad’s International Islamic University said mysticism changes the lives of people by identifying human deficiencies he said adding Sub-continent remained Islam’s hot-bed.

Senator Dhamra spoke about the role of Sufis in Sindh. “We should respect other religions for inter- faith harmony,” he said and added that intolerance was not capable of solving problems. There is a need to study life of Sufis and conduct research for the promotion of their message, he said and suggested setting up a Sufi University at Bhit Shah.

Dr Sanaullah Bhutto, Dean, Faculty of Islamic Studies said the aim of holding the conference was to discuss the issues of society from the perspective of intolerance and extremism.

Prof Dr Mahmood ul Hassan Arif, Dr Abdul Hayee Abro, Dr Salahuddin Sani, Dr S.M. Saeed, Dr Mohammad Ikram Rana, Dr Abdul Raoof Zafar, Dr Anwar Figar Hakro, Mohammad Ferozuddin Shah Khagga, Dr Abdul Razzaq Ghanghro and Prof Mohammad Ibrahim Mohammadi highlighted the role of Sufis in the promotion of peace, love and brotherhood.