IndiaToday.in | Edited by Siddharth Tiwari New Delhi, March 20, 2016 Sufi leader and founder president of All India Ulama and Mas
IndiaToday.in | Edited by Siddharth Tiwari
All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board urged the government to promote Sufi literature, Sufi culture and music and also rectify ‘historical blunders’ against Muslims, today on the final day of World Sufi Forum at Ramlila Ground, New Delhi.
Sufi leader and founder president of AIUMB, Hazrat Syed Muhammad Ashraf, at the event expressed his concern over declining state of Sufism in India and founds the situation alarming.
“Over the last few decades, there have been concerted efforts to weaken Sufism in India and replace it with an extremist and radical ideology. This recent phenomenon is dangerous not just for the Muslim community, but also for the country itself,” Ashraf said.
Calling for the centre’s intervention in safeguarding the fading Sufism in India he said, “We request our Prime Minister to rectify these historical blunders and meet the demands of millions of Sufi followers in India,” he added.
He also demanded that the home ministry to spell out what steps had been taken with regard to the small and big communal incidents that have taken place in different parts of the country.
Voicing the concern over low Muslim representation in various minority institutions Ashraf urged for increased of Indian Muslims in various state and national bodies.
“Indian Muslims having faith in Sufi traditions should be given representation according to their share in population in various bodies such as Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, Central and State Hajj Committees and
National Minority Finance Development Corp,” he said.
AIUMB, the apex body representing Sufis in India, unveiled its 25-point charter on the occasion.
AIUMB appealed to the government to establish a Sufi university in the name of revered Sufi saint Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz.
It said a central Sufi centre should be established in New Delhi and in all capital cities to promote Sufi literature, Sufi culture and music.
In order to promote Sufi tourism, it suggested that a ‘Sufi corridor’ be created to connect all the shrines in the country.
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