Sufi leaders from around globe call for peace, condemn violence

Prominent leaders of Sufism from around the world on Thursday called for love, compassion and peace and condemned terrorism and violence in all its forms and manifestations.

"From this platform I announce that we condemn both terrorism and communalism in all their forms and manifestations. Hindustan is the country of rishi-munis and Sufi saints. There is no place for hatred or violence amongst us," said Syed Ashraf Kachhuchwi, president, All India Ulema Mashaikh Board, and the principal organiser of the World Sufi Forum.

"I request all people, and particularly the government of India, to counter the forces spreading hatred and communalism. The sense of fear and insecurity among the Muslims should be ended," he said in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla were also present at the event.

Scholars from various countries such as US, Pakistan, Egypt and Bangladesh also emphasised the inherent message of Sufism which is love for all and malice towards none.

"The Sufi technology is the technology of melting hearts. We should nurture in us the qualities of love, compassion and tolerance which bring us close to Allah," said Jonathan Glenn Granoff from US.

Allama Hamid Saeed Kazmi, a former Pakistani minister, said that despite an attempt on his life, he refused to keep armed guards with him because he was a Sufi.

"If we, the propagators of Sufism, would hold guns and bombs, who would be there to say that the real Islam is that of love and compassion and not that of guns and bombs," he said.

Shaikh Shauqi Ibraheem Abdul Kareem Allam, the chief mufti of Egypt, in his address, delivered in Arabic, urged the Muslims to return to the life of the Prophet Muhammed to usher in peace and tolerance in the world.

Syed Saifuddin Ahmed from Bangladesh said that we should strive to look within us as "love is within us, peace is within us as God is within us".

Kachhuchwi said that AIUMB would be at the forefront of any effort made to establish peace in the world.