‘Latif Day’

Staff Report, " ‘Sufis’ message can avert terrorism’ " - Dawn - Karachi, Pakistan
Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary for Education Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, MNA, has stressed the need for projecting and following the teachings of mystic poets in order to avert the menace of terrorism.

He was speaking at a programme ‘Latif Day’ organised by the Mehran Students Council, the Sindhi students’ cultural and academic wing at the Quaid-i-Azam University, at the National Library Auditorium here on Sunday night.

He said only the message of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Rehman Baba, Baba Bulleh Shah and other Sufi poets could help in portraying the real teachings of Islam.

He lauded the efforts of Sindhi students for organising the event and said: ‘It is amazing to see such a big number of Sindhi students wearing Ajrak and Topi and making the Sindhi culture alive,’ adding: ‘I feel as if it was a mini-Sindh in Islamabad.’ He also launched a website and broachers of the council.

Speaking on the occasion, the council Chairman Qamaruddin Sheikh said culture was the identity of every individual and one should be proud of their culture.

The council vice-chairman Mir Hazar Khan Jalbani said the website and broachers were aimed at providing admission-related information to the students at the QAU.

Asif Ali Kunbher, a student of Defence Strategic Studies, said the day had rejuvenated their cultural identity and it was like we were in Sindh.

Singer Shafi Fakeer with his majestic voice enthralled the participants who left their seats and performed Hojamalo.

The programme was also attended by the members of Pushtoon, Baloch and Saraiki councils, all wearing their cultural dresses, and Mehran Students Association, International Islamic University Islamabad.

They also exchanged cultural gifts and performed their cultural dances.
Later, Mr Jakhrani distributed shields among the students for their academic excellence.

Picture: Shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Photo: APP.