NEW DELHI: The organisers of the first World Sufi Forum on Sunday urged the government to rectify the “historical blunders” against Muslims and to introduce Sufism at all levels of education.
Speaking at the Ramlila Ground on the final day of a four-day event, renowned Sufi leader Hazrat Syed Muhammad Ashraf said: “Over the last few decades, there have been concerted efforts to weaken Sufism in India and replace it with an extremist and radical ideology.”
“This recent phenomenon is dangerous not just for the Muslim community, but also for the country itself,” added the founder president of All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB), the organisers of the event.
“We request our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to rectify these historical blunders and meet the demands of millions of Sufi followers in India.”
He also demanded that the home ministry to spell out what steps had been taken with regard to the small and big communal incidents that have taken place in different parts of the country.
Ashraf also raised concerns over low Muslim representation in various minority institutions.
“Indian Muslims having faith in Sufi traditions should be given representation according to their share in population” in various bodies such as Central Waqf Council, State Waqf Boards, Central and State Hajj Committees and National Minority Finance Development Corp.
AIUMB, the apex body representing Sufis in India, unveiled its 25-point charter on the occasion.
AIUMB appealed to the government to establish a Sufi university in the name of revered Sufi saint Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz.
It said a central Sufi centre should be established in New Delhi and in all capital cities to promote Sufi literature, Sufi culture and music.
In order to promote Sufi tourism, it suggested that a ‘Sufi corridor’ be created to connect all the shrines in the country.