SUFISM GIVES MESSAGE TO PEACE AND BROTHERHOOD: DARDA

The chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media and former member of Rajya Sabha Vijay Darda was honoured with Global Peace Award at the International Sufi Rang Mahotsav 2022 organised by Chishty Foundation here. The award was conferred on Darda for his outstanding leadership and service to the country and humanity.

Addressing the august gathering after receiving the award, Darda lauded the Sufi tradition saying it gives the message of global brotherhood, harmony, unity, love, peace, and tolerance. This tradition opposes any kind of bigotry, he added.

The International Sufi Rang Mahotsav was conceived and organised by Haji Syed Salman Chishty, the Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif and chairman of Chishty Foundation.

Darda said for centuries the message of world peace is being propagated from Ajmer Sharif, the holy centre of faith in India.

“The International Sufi Rang Mahotsav 2022 is adding golden chapters to the rich spiritual tradition of Ajmer Sharif for the last 15 years. For this, Haji Syed Salman Chishty and his associates deserve accolades”, Darda said. 

Darda further said that it is from this place that the great Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty had given the message of peace, harmony, tolerance, and brotherhood centuries ago. He was a messenger of peace in the true sense. Sufi philosophy emphasises the exclusive worship of God and the purity of mind and soul.

He said the Sufi saints have opposed any kind of bigotry through their teachings, their actions, their conduct, and their literature. Sufi saints have been giving the message of peace and harmony in society for centuries.

He said India’s role in the world peace is very important. India has given world leaders like Lord Mahavir and Lord Buddha who gave the message of non-violence, harmony, and compassion to the world. The culture of India is based on the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, that is, the whole world is one family. Here the stream of love and harmony flows endlessly, the elements spreading hatred cannot stand before it. 

Darda also said there are only a handful of people who spread hatred. “If we unite, they will disappear,” he added. 

Darda said different religions can live in harmony with one another. World-famous pilgrimages like Pushkar Teerth and Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan have been presenting examples of communal harmony for centuries.

He informed that ‘Lokmat’ had organised an Inter-Religious Conference in Nagpur on October 24, 2021. Eminent religious leaders of the country and abroad gave the message of peace and harmony to the world at this conference. “Similarly, in this event organised by Chishty Foundation, I am seeing the same flow of communal harmony and tolerance moving forward. I am fully convinced that there is no place in the world for those who spread hatred. The efforts of us all will create a happy, peaceful world exemplifying unity,” Darda, who graced the occasion as a special guest, noted.

Example of communal harmony

Darda praised the communal harmony in Ajmer on the occasion of Lord Mahavir Jayanti. Jain organisations of Ajmer had urged that the sale of meat around the Jain temple located near Ajmer Sharif Dargah should be stopped during the procession on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. Accordingly, the meat vendors all over the city kept their shops closed.

Chadar offered at Dargah

Darda also offered Chadar at the Dargah of the great Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. He was accompanied by Tripti Jain, Smruti Mehta, Namrata and others on this occasion.

Move to to strengthen the social harmony

Gracing this event hosted in Mehfil-e-Samakhana of Dargah Ajmer Sharif, former vice chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Lt. Gen. Jamiruddin Shah described it as a programme to strengthen the social harmony in the country.

Eminent filmmaker Muzaffar Ali shed light on Islamic spirituality and traditions by saying that the true Sufi is he who serves humanity selflessly.

Renowned classical singer of Dhrupad Gharana Padma Shri Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar said pluralistic culture should be promoted through art. Ustad mesmerised the audience with his melodious singing. 

Noted musician and singer Mohit Chauhan spoke on the contribution of Sufi saints to world peace and human welfare.

Senior editor of The Daily Milap Rishi Suri was felicitated by Khuddam-e-Khwaja Sahab on the occasion.

 Besides, the Ajmer district collector Anshdeep, renowned musician and Grammy Award winner Ricky Kej, Imran Chishty Khawajgani, Sarva Dharma Maitri Sanstha were also felicitated.

Ajmer district collector Anshdeep and superintendent of police Chunaram Jat were also felicitated on this occasion. The president of Anjuman Syedzadghan Haji Ghulam Kibria Chishty, Syed Munawwar Chishty, Syed Hassan Hashmi, Syed Ghaffar Kazmi, Syed Nawaz Chishty, Syed Aslam Chishty, Syed Zahid Hussain Chishty, Shadab Hussain of Dargah Committee were prominently present. Haji Syed Salman Chishty proposed a vote of thanks. 

The evening discussion session was conducted by famous Indo-Islamic scholar Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi. Scholars from 40 states across the country and 32 countries across the world including academics, scholars, writers, Sufi artists, painters, craftsmen, and calligraphers participated in the seminars highlighting the Sufi tradition.