Global Sufi scholars rally in Int. peace conference in Dhaka

Global peace campaigners and Sufi scholars has called for a coherent spiritual movement to ring the bell of hearts among individuals and societies for mankind's existence in view of emerging multi-thronged challenges, as they rallied in an international peace conference here coinciding with the Eid-e-Miladunnabi.

"This is the first time in human history in which the spiritual insight of the unity of human family has become a practical necessity," Sufi scholar and international jurist Jonathan Granoff of the United States told the conference.

Granoff, also president of US-based Global Security Institute, said the climate change scenario and global unrest like the Russia-Ukraine war against the backdrop of the development of nuclear weaponries now demand all to say "yes to love, yes to conscience and yes to human security".

Dhaka-based Sufi Unity for International Solidarity (SUFIS), a platform under the purview of Islamic spiritual hub of Maizbhandar Darbar, staged the conference which rallied overnight the Sufi scholars and leaders from across the globe.

Granoff, a lawyer by background and also known as Ahmed Mohiuddin in global spiritual arena, said the words -- compassion and mercy --- were opening lines of the holy Quran and scripts of all major faiths carry the identical message.

The US lawyer, who joined the conference using the virtual platform, said Muslims and others should not be ashamed to dedicate their service to others with love in clear hearts, conscience and wisdom without discrimination of nation, race or religion.

SUFIS president and incumbent leader of Maizbhandar Darbar Syed Saifuddin Ahmed chaired the conference that drew in person religious scholars and spiritual figures from Turkey, Morocco, India, Ghana alongside Bangladesh while state minister for planning Dr. Shamsul Alam joined it as the chief guest.

Syed Mashuk E Mainuddin, the grandson of great Sufi saint of the contemporary history Syed Moinuddin Ahmed Maizbhandari, presented the keynote paper at the conference.

Professor Sheikh Mohammed Lakhdar Derfoufi of Morocco said the literal meaning of Islam is peace while the non-Muslim historians were of unanimous view that Islam spread in the world without the support of sword and in most areas women became the first followers of the faith.

"Our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) never waged any war himself and rather dedicated himself to the mission of letting people know the message of peace . . . how can we accept terrorism (as means to promote Islam)," he said.

Sheikh Syed Salman Chisty of India, who represent the Ajmer Sharif, said Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and shining luminaries enlightened others with the teachings of love and against the backdrop of human rights crisis in present day world, the Sufis must play a greater role in addressing the issue.

"Serve the mankind without asking their name, religion or ethnicity according to the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) teachings . . . serve with unconditional love," said Chisty, who joined the conference online.

Sheikh Muhammed Elhuseyni of Turkey, who is the general secretary of Academy of Sufi Scholars, said qualities of the Holy Prophet were the best examples "for us to follow" and "we must know how the Islam encourages us to co-exist with everybody in harmony".

He said according to the Prophet's ideals one would not be a Muslim if he or she causes disturbance of peace of anyone as Islam is for mercy and peace without discriminating among believers and non-believers.

Former major general Syed Mohammad Ibrahim said one must bring peace in his or own mind through self-purification to bring peace to neighbours.

"The International peace conference of today is unlikely to end overnight the miseries of mankind or solve the problems of Palestinians, Rohingyas or anywhere else, but our efforts should go on," he said.

The state minister for planning said peace is the essential ingredient for development everywhere in the world while exploitation or violation of others rights always stand on the way of peace.

"Our Prophet (PBUH) on the other hand said if one Muslim exploits the rights of anyone including a non-Muslim, he would stand on the side of the victim on the day of reincarnation," he said.

African-American with origin in Ghana Sheikh Ahmed Tijani Omar led a milad mahfil with praises for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) at the conference following his speech calling for interfaith harmony and recalling the memories of sufi saints including Syed Moinuddin Ahmed of Bangladesh and leaders with spiritual quality like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Syed Saifuddin Ahmed in his presidential address explained the role of Maizbhandar Darbar in spreading the message of peace and self-purification over a century even beyond the country's territory being the only spiritual hub originating in Bangladesh following the ideals of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and incorporating the essence of different spiritual orders.

He said apart from its spiritual mission, the Maizbhandar order had played a role in shaping the nation's liberal and inclusive political, social and cultural mindset.

He said Syed Ahmedullah founded the hub in early last century while his nephew Syed Golamur Rahman took it to a new height and his grandson Syed Moinuddin Ahmed emerged as the blessing for the people of the new age.

Syed Mashuk E Mainuddin in his keynote speech said it was important for all to understand the circumstances the Prophet (PBUH) witnessed, the limits he was pushed to, the sacrifices he willingly made, never losing his composure.

"When it comes to justice and equal rights for all races, colours, and ethnicities, the first man in the face of this earth to guarantee that was prophet Muhammad (Sallahu Alaihi Wa lihi Wassallam), in the form the historic and monumental 'Charter of Madina'," he said.

"War under the prophet was always defensive. He never waged war to obtain wealth or power," the keynote speaker said also reviewing the examples when the Prophet (PBUH) conveyed mercy towards his enemies, forgiving and loving them like his own to become the beacon of mercy and love for this world.

Iranian ambassador in Dhaka Mansour Chavoshi, FBCCI President Mohammad Jashimuddin and Vice Chancellor of Global University Dr Anisuzzaman, among others, spoke on the occasion.