‘For Bhittai, ritualism was not enough’

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The poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is unique, and even after 250 years since his demise, his ideas of peace and love for humanity are thought-provoking and create magic, renowned writer, poet and feminist Fahmida Riaz said on Wednesday. Riaz was delivering a lecture on Bhittai’s message of love and peace through Sufism at an event organised by the Strengthening Participatory Organisation.
“Pakistan is blessed with a rich heritage of Sufism that promotes the message of peace, tolerance and harmony. In today’s world, the ideals of peace and harmony cannot be achieved until we reflect and internalise the message of Sufis, who promoted this message for centuries,” she said.
Riaz said that Bhittai’s poetry is an elaboration of spiritual quest. “Bhittai was a creator of music. Some of his surs were created in musical nodes. His followers are singing his famous sur Kalyan for 250 years,” she added. “He was a believer of spiritualism and used to say that ritualism is not enough.” She said that Bhittai had a Sufi family background and was also interested in Maulana Rumi’s poetry. “That is why people compared him to Mualana Rumi. However, Sufis do not believe in competition.”

Patience, humanity adopt,
For anger is disease
Forbearance bringeth joy and peace,
If you would understand.

Shah Latif’s message of peace in his sur Kalyan

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