Soul Searching

By AIP Bureau, *University of Kashmir signs MOU with Iran Culture House* - Two Circles Net - Cambridge, MA, USA
Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Srinagar: One day International seminar to deliberate on life and works of Syed Abul Hassan Hafizian , a Sufi Saint in Kashmir was organized on Tuesday by Department of Persian, University of Kashmir in collaboration with Iran Culture House, New Delhi.

The event marked the commencement of silver jubilee celebrations of the PG Department of Persian of the Varsity.

Direct descendent, student of the saint and noted religious scholar Agha Ayatullah Shishteri from Iran was present in the function. Highlighting the importance of soul searching, Agha Ayatullah Shishteri narrated instances of his companionship with the great saint Syed Hafizain saying that at a tender age of 16 he got a chance of association with the great saint. Quoting Maulana Jalal ud Din Rumi, Agha said that in present times, we need to look within and introspect ourselves to find piety.

In his presidential address, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir, Prof Riyaz Punjabi made special references to relation of Iran with Kashmir in the past. “Kashmir was known as ‘Iran-e-Sagheer’ because of our close cultural affinity with that region” he said. VC also made special references to participation of Iranian women in various activities of life saying that “you can have your feet on the ground, adhere to morals as well and still play a participatory role in upliftment of society” he said. He thanked Iran Cultural House for their keen interest in activities of the Varsity.

Cultural Counsellor, Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi, Dr. Karim Najafi while delivering the keynote address, lauded the way Iran Culture House, New Delhi and Department of Persian, University of Kashmir have designed a road map for various events depicting similarities between Iran and Kashmiri Culture. He made references to life and teachings of Syed Abul Hassan Hafizain saying that he was one of the pioneering saints who devoted his life for the cause of humanity.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Head, Department of Persian, Prof Muhammad Munawwar Masoodi talked in detail about Syed Hafizain’s life while describing him as a towering Sufi saint of Kashmir. “The language of Persian and Persia, the land of its origin have had a profound impact on the socio-cultural fabric of Kashmiri society” he added. He hoped collaborations of such nature would be conducted frequently in near future as well.

Dr. Masoodi thanked Vice Chancellor, KU and Dr. Karim Najafi, Cultural Counsellor, Iran Culture House, New Delhi for helping strengthen mutual collaboration in the field of education and Culture. “We will especially concentrate in the area of exchange of scholars in the field of library sciences and humanities” he said.

Other dignitaries present on the stage included Dr. Laley Iftikhari, Member Parliament, Iranian Goverment and Central Minister Education, eldest daughter of Syed Hafizain, Khatoon e Qalam, Qudsi Feroze Hafiyan, former Vice Chancellor - Az Zahraa University, Qum, Khanam Hakim e Dabeeran, Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof A R Yousuf, Registrar KU, Prof S Fayyaz Ahmad.

The proceedings of the function were conducted by Dr. Jahangir Iqbal in Persian language and most speakers spoke in the same language.

Later, Dr. Karim Najafi accompanied by Dr. Dr. Laley Iftikhari called on the Vice Chancellor in his chambers where a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] between Cultural House of the Islamic Republic of Iran and University of Kashmir was signed. This MOU was undertaken to strengthen mutual collaboration in fields of education and culture.

Some key pointers of MOU included exchange of scholars in Library Science and Manuscriptology besides regular seminars, symposia and conferences that would be jointly organized in areas of Persian language and literature, culture, manuscripts and ther areas. The MOU also spelled out an upcoming Iranian Cultural Week to be organized by University of Kashmir in collaboration with Iran Culture House, New Delhi.

Prof M S Shafi, head department of Library Science, Prof M M Masoodi, head department of Persian, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof A R Yousuf, Registrar, Prof. S Fayyaz Ahmad were also present during the signing of MOU.

[Picture: University of Kashmir]