First World Sufi Forum to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today

Mumbai: The national capital will host the first World Sufi Forum from March 17 to 20.  The mega event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Leading Sufi scholars, academicians and intellectuals are expected to take part in the event to discuss ways to spread the message of peace advocated by Islam.

World Sufi Forum has been organised by the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board (AIUMB).

 “The Indian Muslims will be appealed to practice the ancient Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (culture) that is the fusion of Hindu and Muslim values,” DNA quoted Hazrat Syed Mohammad Ashraf, the founder president of AIUMB said.

As many as 200 scholars from over 20 countries will converge during the event that will conclude at the historic Ramlila Maidan.

“India should be the centre of moderate Islamic ideology. This event is aimed at promoting our country as one. Islam’s image has come under scanner for terror as seen in Syria and other parts of world. We have to change this impression. And India needs to take the lead. We are home to rich values of unity and peace. Indian culture compliments Sufism which too has a rich history of spreading peace,” Ashraf said.

The Sufi Congress will be an occasion to showcase Indian and Sufi Islam's tradition of multi cultural faith. It will underline the responsibility of a good Muslim to counter impressions which have somehow gone wrong,” Ashraf added.