Rumi, Bahu teachings highlighted

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Higher Education Raja Yasir Humayun has said that we should make agreement on all those things which are common in all religions to promote brotherhood and establish peace in the world.

He was addressing the inaugural session of two-day international conference on Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi and Hazrat Sultan Bahu held here at Al Raazi Hall Tuesday. The conference was jointly organised by Punjab University Department of Persian, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and a private institute.

Addressing the conference, Raja Yasir Humayun said that all the religions gave lesson of humanity and Sufis presented this message in an excellent manner. He said there were similarities in the teachings of Maulana Rumi and Sultan Bahu and they taught us to eliminate ego and spread love. He said that if we understood their message, our social evils and personal imperfections would be removed. Therefore, he said, there was need to comprehend their message in true manner and act upon it. He said that we could become the best human being by following their teachings.

He congratulated PU VC Prof Niaz Ahmad on establishing Baba Guru Nanak Chair. In his address, Prof Niaz Ahmad said that Islam and all other religions promoted peace and high moral values and we needed to act upon it. He said that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) has said that he is the best Muslim who has high ethical values. Iranian Counsel General Muhammad Raza Nazri said that the teachings of Maulana Rumi had deeply influenced all the cultures of the world. He said that the rank of thoughts of Maulana Rumi was higher than any other thinker of the Sub-Continent and his teachings ruled the hearts of the people across the globe.

He said that Allama Iqbal also got inspiration from the thoughts of Maulana Rumi. He said that a part of thoughts of Allama Iqbal had also influenced Iranian scholars. He said that Iqbal had advised the Muslims not to look towards the West but get united and depend on each other and Iran was following Iqbal’s this ideology. Olas Artas said that Maulana Rumi and Sultan Bahu had promoted tolerance in the society.