The Universal Concept of Mysticism

By Schezee Zaidi, "PAL books highlight literary contributions" - The International News - Islamabad, Pakistan
April, Wednesday 23, 2008

Islamabad: Highlighting the regional literary contributions upholding the mystical concepts, freedom of expression, and socio-cultural tone, Pakistan Academy of Letters [PAL] has launched three more books of the series of ‘Pakistani Adab Ke Memar’ titled ‘Hazrat Sacchal Sarmast: Life and Works’ by Dr Abdul Jabbar Jonajo, ‘Saeen Ahmed Ali: Life and Woks’ by Dr Zahoor Ahmed Awan and ‘Farigh Bukhari: Life and Woks’ by Tariq Hashmi.

Briefing the media about the recent publications, Iftikhar Arif, Chairman PAL said that the book on Sacchal Sarmast marks the universal concept of mysticism of the great Saint.

He said that Sacchal Sarmast (Mian Abdul Wahab), the great mystic of Sindh, is the leading Sufi poet of distinction who composed verses on philosophy and Sufism.

He is known as second Mansoor ul Hajjaj because of his poetry and philosophy. Sacche Dino, Sachoo (the truthful) and Sacchal Sarmast were all names given to Mian Abdul Wahab Farooqi because of the radical Sufi pursuits with which he challenged the rigid mindset of the clergy of his times.

Also called ‘shair-e-haft zaban’ (poet in seven languages) as he composed poetical pieces in Arabic, Sindhi, Seraiki, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian and Balochi, that is replete with Divine Love. He said that Sacchal Sarmast is considered to be one of the great Sufi poets of the subcontinent.

About the author, Iftikhar Arif said that Dr Abdul Jabbar Jonejo is a prominent scholar, researcher and critic and he has done a wonderful job by producing an exclusive document on the life and work of Sacchal Sarmast.

The other book on Saeen Ahmed Ali is written by Dr Zahoor Ahmed Awan, a researcher, poet and critic.

While appreciating Dr Zahoor Ahmed Awan’s work on Saeen Ahmed Ali, Iftikhar Arif commented that this book is a worthy contribution not only in Urdu literature but it also gives us an opportunity to understand the socio-cultural history and tone of Hindko literature.

The third book is on the life and work of Farigh Bukhari, a major Pakistani writer, scholar, journalist and critic. This commentary is written by Tariq Hashmi.

Iftikhar Arif said that Farigh Bukhari as a leader of progressive writer movement, he has struggle hard for his whole life for the right to express. Farigh Bukhari has seven collections of poetry to his credit and also a number of articles and books on Pashto literature.

[Picture: Writers House at PAL. Photo from http://www.academy.gov.pk/history.php].