LAHORE: (Wednesday, April 22, 2015): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran has said that Allah has blessed Sufi poets and their teachings affects hearts and minds of the people. He was addressing the inaugural session of Baba Farid International Punjabi Conference organized by Punjab University Oriental College here on Wednesday.

Director Baba Farid Ganjh Shakar’s Chair, Punjabi University Patiala, India Prof Dr Nashir Naqvi, DG Religious Affairs, Department of Auqaf Punjab Dr Tahir Raza Bukhari, Dean Faculty of Oriental Learning Prof Dr Ismatullah Zahid, Head of Hajvery Chair Dr Zahoor Ahmad Azhar, Mian Muhammad Naeem Anwar Chishti, faculty members, scholars and a large number of students were present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran said that young people must enlighten their hearts with the teachings and ideas of Sufi poets. He congratulated Prof Dr Ismatullah Zahid and organizers on organizing a successful conference. Prof Dr Nashir Naqvi said that Tassawwuf believed in peace and it rejected disputes. He said that Pakistan’s Punjab University and India’s Punjabi University were playing their role to promote the message of Hazrat Baba Farid throughout the world.

He praised PU VC Dr Mujahid Kamran for bringing the university to the new heights. He said that Punjab University was a blessing not only for Pakistan but the Subcontinent. Dr Ismatullah Zahid said that the universities were aimed at preaching knowledge. He said that there was difference between our actions and our thoughts and that’s why we were facing problems. He said that we must promote brotherhood and Sufism to establish peace in the world and adopt the habit of self-accountability. Dr Zahoor Ahmed Azhar said that there was need to learn Persian, Sansikrat and Hindi languages to understand poetry of Hazrat Baba Farid. Mian Muhammad Naeem Anwar Chishtee and others also addressed the participants while Dr Nabeela Rehman presented research paper on Baba Farid. Punjab University Oriental College will also organize international Punjabi Mushaira on Thursday (today) at 7pm at Sabzarar of the College in which poets from abroad and various parts of the country will participate.