Sufis must work against religious extremism

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Meeting of AISSC in progress
Meeting of AISSC in progress

 

BAHRUCH
 
The All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council, a body of the heads of Sufi shrines, has asked its members to work for promoting religious harmony and to keep the youth of the country away from forces of religious extremism.
 
Addressing a meeting of all the heads of Sufi shrines of Gujarat at Ambita Sharif, chairman of the AISSC  Syed Naseeruddin Chishti said that the Sufi dargahs have to work together for the unity of the nation and maintaining amity and brotherhood.
 
He said the heads of shrines have a special responsibility towards the youth of India; they must work to provide them with direction and values and work towards keeping them away from the influences that promote religious extremism.
 
Naseeruddin Chisti said those who have distanced themselves from the dargahs, spirituality, and Islamic teachings should be made to make a retreat.” The inclination of the country's youth towards Sufism is diminishing; we have to strengthen the religious beliefs associated with all the Sufi shrines and bring people of different faiths on one platform,” he said.
 
 
The meeting was attended by devotees of various shrines and monasteries.
 
Syed Naseeruddin Chishti said that monasteries should run programs to educate the people and spread  Islamic values ​​like peace and justice since there was an urgent need to convey the true message of Sufism to people. For this, he suggested the Sajjadanashin must go to the common people as explain to them about Sufis and their traditions of peace and brotherhood.
 
He said the heads of the dargahs have to play their role for the unity of the nation and the people.
 
“We have to make people believe that nothing is better than humanity. Islamic values ​​such as morality, peace, brotherhood, education, respect for others, etc. must be emphasized,” he said.
 
 Zakat money should be used for training and opening hospitals that will be useful for society. He said that shrines and dargah should from time to time organize programs for the promotion of brotherhood, to which people of other religions should also be invited.
 
 
Syed Naseeruddin Chisti said Sufism is a symbol of unity in the country, which promotes brotherhood among the people;  respects cultural diversity, as well as promotes art and culture, and makes people love their country.
 
He said Sufism makes people of all faiths live together in harmony and opposes all forms of destruction.
 
He said all the dargahs and shrines must come together on a single platform and work for national unity and integrity. The message of Sufism needs to be better conveyed to the people for the protection and development of the country.
 
He asked the heads of the Sufi shrines to instruct the imams of mosques to give positive news to the Friday congregation.