ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: Sufi culture is making resurgence amongst the youth, as seen in the rising popularity of Sufi music within Pakistan. Mehergarh, Lok Virsa and PTV collaborated this Sunday to organise a Sufi music competition at the Lok Virsa media centre. In addition to promoting Sufi music, the organisers also aimed at highlighting other aspects of Sufi culture, and launched an online re-source called Tareeqat: Seven Elements of Living Spirituality, in order to make Sufi history, poetry and philosophy more accessible to the youth of Pakistan.

Mehergarh Chairperson Dr Kamran Ahmad, who was one of the hosts, said the objective of the competition was to “strengthen the roots of Sufism…among our youth” using film, social media and music.

The third component of the event was an introduction to a documentary based on Sufi culture called ‘The Hidden Face of Pakistan: 11,000 Years of Spiritual Heritage’.

The documentary was made by Dr Kamran Ahmad in order to refocus national and international attention on a different, peaceful side of Pakistan. He said the aim of these projects is to look at spirituality as beyond the confines of formal religion, and to involve it in one’s daily life. He went on to say that previous generations had failed to introduce this aspect of our culture to the youth.

After these announcements, the competition was underway.

The thirteen contestants were judged by Arieb Azhar, Javed Niazi and Ustad Mahfooz Khokar.

The contestants performed alongside renowned tabla player Mohammad Ajmal, as well as Wahid Ali (dholak), Mushtaq Ali (harmonium) and Nadeem Ali (keyboard).

The first prize of Rs15,000 was awarded to Jahangir Niazi, the second to Faizan Azeem while the third went to Mohammad Ajmal’s sons who performed as a duo.

Before the winners were announced, certificates were distributed by the chief guest, Asaf Ghafoor, among young leaders who had participated in a training project titled ‘Committing to Future Work on Spirituality’.

The participants held a background in social activism, and were called “champions of democratic and pluralistic ideals” by Fouzia Saeed – Mehergarh director and co-host of the competition – in a press release.

After announcing the winners of the competition, Javed Niazi said Pakistan lacked in events such as these, and that Sufi culture should be added to school curriculums so as to make youth more familiar with their heritage.

Arieb Azhar added that the best art is created in trying circumstances, as could be seen in the talent on show today.