Gilani calls for spreading message of Shah Latif’s poetry

HYDERABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday attended the Urs celebrations of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai in Bhit Shah on the second day of the Sufi poet’s 281st Urs.

Sindh Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah accompanied Gilani as he laid a wreath on the poet’s grave and prayed for his soul.

Speaking on the occasion, the Senate chairman said there was a dire need to promote and implement the philosophy of Shah Latif’s poetry in today’s era. He explained that the poetry of Shah Latif taught the message of peace, brotherhood and tolerance.

Later, Gilani attended the Latif Literary Conference at the HT Surley Hall as a special guest. Addressing the literary conference, he said that in this era of oppression and suppression, Shah Latif’s message was that one should resist the oppressor, promote peace, love and women’s rights.

He said the poets of Sindh had always called for staying vigilant and maintaining peace, and Shah Latif’s poetry compilation ‘Shah Jo Risalo’ was a manifesto of peace and love. The entire world should understand the message of Shah Latif, Gilani added.

He said he had also faced oppression as he had to spend nine years in jail just for giving jobs to the poor. The Sindh culture minister and other speakers, including Ayaz Latif Palijo, Madad Ali Sindhi and Taj Joyo, also spoke on the art and philosophy of Shah Latif.