Into The Homes And Gardens

By Ayesha Nasir, *Sufism filling a vacuum in Pakistan as young reject fundamentalism* - The National - Abu Dhabi, UAE
Saturday, April 3, 2010

Lahore: It is 10am on a Thursday, and already a crowd is gathering at the Shah Jamal shrine, arguably the most popular Sufi site in Lahore.

Hundreds pack the incense-laden atmosphere, hundreds more people will join in the signing, dancing and chanting.

Mustapha Ahmed, a writer dressed in tattered jeans and a loose shirt, said he visits as often as possible. “I come here because I feel more in touch with myself after listening to this music,” he said, swaying as he talks. “I feel as if my life takes on a greater meaning.”

Next to Ahmed, a young boy of about 12, sways and chants. Close by, a woman, her hair covered by a veil, murmurs the words the Sufi saints are singing. A group of five saints, dressed in white shalwar kameez with strings of beads, lead the chanting. One keeps beat on a small drum.

Sufism – often described as mysticism or “the essence of Islam” – has a long history in Pakistan, dating back to the time when Muslims conquered the subcontinent in the 12th and 13th centuries and brought with them their Sufi saints.

The philosophy’s simple message of love and tolerance has gained traction in recent years, despite attempts by adherents of more conservative branches of Islam to discredit it.

More recently, however, it has moved away from the shrine and into the homes and gardens of the young, many of whom had abandoned religion, disillusioned by the fundamentalism in Pakistan.

Ayeda Naqvi, 41, a journalist who holds informal Sufi gatherings at her home in Lahore, said: “A huge vacuum exists in our society today with many youngsters caught between the materialism and consumerism of the West and the extremism of the East.”

“Both of these lead to a state of alienation and emptiness. It’s as if nothing is touching our hearts. Sufism, on the other hand, goes to the very essence of our actions and the very essence of existence,” she said.

As a testimony to its growing appeal, Ms Navqi had three times the number of people at a Sufi retreat this year compared to last. “At a time when religion is being viewed as black or white, Sufism represents the essence of Islam,” said Ms Naqvi. “It illustrates love, harmony and beauty.”

Every week, Ms Naqvi hosts about 10 to 25 people – both men and women – at a Sufi gathering. Each session begins with meditation and breathing exercises, meant to cleanse the mind and soul, followed by the recitation of a poem, usually one by Maulana Rumi, one of the most prolific and influential Sufi saints.

While frenzied bouts of singing and drumming characterise the shrine events, at homes and in gardens across Pakistan, a more subdued version of Sufism is being practised.

Saadia Haq, a young dentist, is a regular at Ms Naqvi’s Sufi circles. She said she initially attended out of curiosity but was soon attracted by the message of tolerance she heard. “Sufism talks about a softer and more encompassing version of Islam and I found it easy to understand and absorb this message,” she said.

The Islamic Institute in Mannheim, Germany, which for many years has been working towards the integration of Muslims into European culture, describes Sufism as undogmatic and flexible and thus suited for inter-religious dialogue and intercultural discussions. These qualities also make it popular among educated and progressive young people.

“Islam came to this part of the world through Sufism,” said Ms Naqvi, referring to historical texts that detail how Sufi saints accompanied the Muslim armies in their conquests of the Indian subcontinent.

“And people converted to Islam in the subcontinent because they were impressed by the conduct and characters of the Sufi saints. So Sufism predates even Pakistan, whereas Wahhabism is new and completely alien to our country. I don’t think it will have much of a market beyond the uneducated.”

Picture: Devotees light lamps at a Sufi shrine in Lahore. Photo: Arif Ali / AFP