‘Sufism promotes democracy and human rights’

Karachi
“Sufism has proved to be that mystical tradition which managed to win millions of hearts through its teachings of selflessness, peace and tolerance. It was through the great Sufis that Islam was promoted.”
This was stated by Sindh Information Department Director General Abdul Haleem Shaikh while speaking at the closing ceremony of a 10-day workshop, Rights and democratic values in mysticism, on Tuesday. The event was organised by the Women Media Centre (WMC).
Shaikh said it was heart warming to see talented and confident women at the workshop.
“The Sufis of Sindh served as role models of democratic values and we should learn lessons from their great lives,” said Dr Ghazala Rahman Rafiq, director of the Sindh Abhyas Academy, Szabist.
She compared the modern concept of feminism with women’s rights back in the days of Sufi mystics.
“Pakistan is going through a new era, parliament being the supreme legislative body continues to face challenges.”
She was of the view that if all state institutions ran the state’s affairs in accordance with the constitution, democracy could easily be strengthened.
WMC Executive Director Fozia Shaheen while addressing the event stated that the workshop aimed promoting peace, tolerance and pluralism combined with women empowerment in accordance with Sufi mysticism.
Director Press Information Muhammad Yousif Kabooro also spoke on the occasion.
A group of thirty female participants from various universities and media houses were trained on the theoretical and technical aspects in the workshop conducted by the WMC and supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and Washington, DC.