Sufism reminds us of 99 names of Allah, none stand for force and violence: PM Modi

Maintaining that Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality, and a call to universal brotherhood, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said it reminds us that when we think of the 99 names of Allah, none stand for force and violence, and that the first two names denote compassionate and merciful. Allah is Rahman and Raheem.

"Its message is beyond the confines of schools and sects and it's a spiritual quest that traces its origin from the Holy Prophet and the fundamental values of Islam, which literally means peace. Sufism blossomed in India's openness and pluralism and it engages with the country's spiritual tradition and evolved its own Indian ethos," he said.

Delivering the inaugural lecture at the World Sufi Forum here, Prime Minister Modi said, "Sufism's contribution to poetry in India is huge. Its impact on the development of Indian music is profound: All our people, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, believers, non-believers, are an integral part of India."

Welcoming the delegates from various parts of the world, the Prime Minister said, "Welcome to a land that is a timeless fountain of peace and an ancient source of traditions and faiths. Welcome to the ancient city of Delhi- built by the genius of diverse peoples, cultures and faiths."

"This is an extraordinary event of great importance to the world, at a critical time for humanity. At a time, when the dark shadow of violence is becoming longer, you are the noor or the light of hope. When young laughter is silenced by guns on the streets, you are the voice that heals," he exhorted the delegates.

For the Sufis, service to God meant service to humanity, said PM, adding, "Just as it once came to India, today Sufism from India has spread across the world. Let me paraphrase what I have said before: Terrorism divides and destroys us."

"Terrorism uses diverse motivations and causes, none of which can be justified. The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion. It cannot be. Diversity is a basic reality of Nature and source of richness of a society; and, it should not be a cause of discord" he said.

The Prime Minister observed, "At the beginning of a new century, we are at yet another point of transformation on a scale rarely seen in human history.