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The Present-Day Khanqahs Are Not Only Our Pride but Our Need; Confronting Extremism and Terrorism Ideology Is Only Possible Through Sufism: Syed Muhammad Ashraf Kaleem Ashrafi Jilani
The Khanqahs of Awadh Have Played a Prominent Role in Promoting Brotherhood Between Religions, Serving Humanity, and Contributing to National Development: Professor Masood Anwar Alavi
Sufi saints instill the Divine message into people’s hearts, introducing them to gnosis and love.
- They purify individuals from undesirable emotions and traits such as oppression, hatred, jealousy, enmity, and cruelty, and cultivate within them values of altruism, goodwill, cooperation, fraternity, and love, thereby establishing a virtuous and peaceful society.
Today, we have gathered to remember the services of these devoted servants of God, to adopt their teachings in our lives, and to devise a plan to revive their educational and spiritual systems in order to create a peaceful and beneficial society.
These thoughts were expressed by Syed Muhammad Ashraf Kaleem Ashrafi Jilani, Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Ashrafia, Jais, during his presidential address at the inaugural session of the two-day national seminar titled “The Khanqahs of Awadh and Their Intellectual and Social Services.”
Due to his ill health, his speech was read out by Professor Syed Aleem Ashraf Jaisi.
In his address, he emphasized the need to make the current khanqah system dynamic and active once again. He lamented that the transformations of time have changed everything: today, most khanqahs, with few exceptions, are devoid of the spiritual essence of Bilāl’s call or the heartfelt counsel of Ghazālī; there is neither the morning sigh nor the remembrance of God.
He stressed the urgent need to revive and reclaim Sufism in the era of globalization and underlined reliance on the thought of Ghazali and the teachings of the Chishti order for this revival.
Professor Masood Anwar Alavi Kakori (former Dean, Faculty of Arts and current Principal, Women’s College, Aligarh Muslim University) delivered an insightful and scholarly keynote address on the main theme of the seminar. He presented a detailed overview of almost all the khanqahs of Awadh and their intellectual and social contributions.
He stated that the region of Awadh is renowned for its rich cultural, civilizational, and historical heritage. It has produced eminent personalities who left indelible marks on both scholarly and social fronts through their knowledge, virtue, and exemplary character.
Recognizing their selfless services, preserving their intellectual and spiritual legacy, and spreading their message is both our moral and scholarly responsibility.
Reviving the khanqah system is essential for promoting interfaith harmony, class integration, intercultural dialogue, service to humanity, and national development.
The seminar was organized by the Sheikh Tareeqat Foundation on the occasion of the centenary celebration of the birth of Sheikh Tareeqat Syed Shah Naeem Ashraf Jilani Jaisi, in collaboration with Khanqah Ahmadiya Ashrafia and Darul Uloom, Jais.
Its purpose was to highlight the comprehensive religious, intellectual, and social services of the khanqahs of Awadh and to revive their beneficial educational and spiritual systems.
The inaugural session of this two-day national seminar was held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scientific Convention Center, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow.
Scholars, researchers, and intellectuals from various universities and institutions across the country participated in it.
Sajjada Nashins and representatives from approximately twenty-two khanqahs of Awadh attended the session, congratulated the organizers on hosting the seminar, and expressed their good wishes for its success and fruitful outcomes.
The inaugural session was presided over by Syed Shah Muhammad Ashraf Kaleem, Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Ahmadiya Ashrafia, Jais, while the session was conducted by Dr. Muhammad Abdul Aleem (Assistant Professor, MANUU, Hyderabad).
The program began at 11 a.m. with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, followed by the inaugural address by Professor Syed Aleem Ashraf Jaisi, the convener of the seminar.
He first strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama and presented a resolution denouncing the attack.
He emphasized that there is no place for extremism in Islam and demanded that the Government of India bring the perpetrators to justice.
Professor Jaisi also welcomed the esteemed guests and highlighted the significance, aims, and objectives of the seminar.
Following this, Plenary Remarks were presented by various Sajjada Nashins, distinguished citizens, and renowned scholars, highlighting different aspects of khanqah services.
Those who shared their thoughts included Syed Muhammad Ashraf Kachochhvi, Mr. Afzal Safavi, Advocate Athar Nabi, and Professor Syed Zaheer Hussain Jafri.
During the inaugural session, a book containing the papers to be presented at the seminar was also released.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Maulana Syed Qasim Ashraf, Director of SNA Public School, Inter College, and Darul Uloom, Jais, who expressed gratitude to all the delegates and participants.
