In Letter And Spirit

By TNI Reporter, *Jimmy Engineer calls for reverting to ‘sufism’* - The News International - Pakistan
Saturday, December 19, 2009

Islamabad: Renowned artist and social worker Jimmy Engineer Thursday underlined the need for promoting and spreading the teachings of the great Sufis for effectively countering militancy and extremism.

Karachi-based Jimmy Engineer while talking to APP on his arrival here called upon people from all walks of life in general and the artists community in particular to utilise all their energies and resources, individually and collectively, for safeguarding, preserving and promoting national integrity, solidarity and unity which is the dire need of the hour and ensure a brighter, moderate, progressive and forward looking Pakistan.

Jimmy Engineer, who firmly believes in the teachings of popular saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh and Sufi Barkat Ali, said that the message of love, brotherhood, peace, harmony and tolerance and unflinching faith in Allah Almighty contained the teachings of all great Sufis should be followed in letter and spirit as salvation lies in reverting back to Sufism.

He said the sooner it is done, the better it would be and help facing the problems boldly, squarely and courageously with the blessings of Allah Almighty. He opined that militancy and extremism in all their manifestations have taken roots only after the people had drifted away from Sufism to materialism and their faith in Allah Almighty wavering a lot.

The prominent artist said at the same time there is also dire need for forging and maintaining national unity and inculcating and promoting spirit of patriotism in order to meet the challenges and overcome the difficulties being faced by the nation and the country in the prevailing circumstances. Jimmy Engineer further stated that the younger generations in particular should be apprised about the sacrifices and struggle made by the millions of Muslims under the inspiring leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam and hard earned independence, freedom and sovereignty must be safeguarded and preserved no matter how high cost is to be paid for the security, integrity and solidarity of the Motherland.

As for himself, Jimmy Engineer reiterated his commitment, dedication and devotion to the Motherland and said he is quite willing to do any work at any time to promote soft, positive and forward looking progressive image of Pakistan in the comity of nations. Jimmy Engineer said that he deemed it as an honour of the highest order to be of any service to the nation and the country as he regards himself as an unofficial goodwill ambassador of Pakistan.

He said he has been rendering services to promote the cause of the Motherland for the last 35 years and is determined to continue rendering such services as long as he is breathing as a true son of the soil.In response to queries regarding artistic activities he said his artistic activities are flourishing in different parts of the country irrespective of the prevailing troubled situation.

He said a number of young girls and boys are emerging at the art scene as painters, calligraphic artists and sculptors which is quite encouraging. Jimmy said that among these emerging young artists, the most promising and impressive are Uroosa Ishtiaq from Karachi and Maham Gull from Lahore.

He said he was also committed to continue working for the welfare of the special children and to do everything possible for bringing smiles on their faces momentarily as well as permanently.

Jimmy Engineer said that mentally-retarded, physically handicapped, deaf, dumb and blind children are very dear and near to his heart. He said that in order to ameliorate the lot of the special children, bring smiles on their faces and provide them some moments of relief and happiness.

Jimmy said he introduced the concept of organising the awareness, fun and food programmes for the special children.

Visit Jimmy: http://www.jimmyengineer.com/index.html

[Picture: Jimmy Engineer, Partition Series: Refugees resting under a tree in 1947 - Oil on canvas 5 Feet x 7 Feet (1.50 x 2.10 meter), 1977]