By TCN News,
Aligarh: Sheikh Nooruddin Wali, who typically represents the composite culture of Kashmir, emphasized on values such as piety, godliness, self-control, tolerance, human brotherhood and compassion, said AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt General Zameer Uddin Shah (Retd).
“Sheikh Sahab’s poetry in Kashmiri and Persian is deeply Kashmiri oriented (and) seeks to promote humanist values through an appropriation of a universal vision,” Shah said at a two day national seminar on ‘Sheikh Nooruddin Wali: Thought and Art’ organized here by the Department of Modern Indian Languages, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Zardar addressing the National Seminar on Sheikh Nooruddin Wali at Department of Modern Indian Languages.
General Shah said Sheikh Sahab made poetry as a medium to propagate his vision and mission. “Sheikh Sahab was not only a preacher of Islam but also a poet, philosopher, environmentalist, linguist, scientist and traveler who used simple and colloquial language to convey his ideas,” he added, a release from AMU said.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor M Afzal Wani, Dean, School of Law and Legal Studies, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi said Sheikh Sahab is the most popular of all saints to have lived in Kashmir and also known as the flag bearer of Kashmiri composite culture. “Shiekh Sahab’s persona had many aspects, which includes being a mystique, intellectual, social reformer and humanist who was respected throughout the Kashmir valley,” Professor Wani said.
Sheikh Sahab was clear in thought and vision and pleaded for establishment of values across the world, which earned him the title of Sheikh-ul-Alam (leader of the world), he said and pointed out: “However, after Sheikh Sahab’s demise, his teachings remained limited to Kashmir, which left the world unaware of his humanistic works.”
Book releasing ceremony at National Seminar on Sheikh Nooruddin Wali at Department of Modern Indian Languages.
Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar, director of the seminar, while introducing the theme, said that Sheikh Nooruddin Wali was born in Quamoh, formerly known as Qatimusha, which is 60 kilometers from Srinagar. “Since time immemorial, Kashmir has been a land of spiritual catholicity, tolerance and humanism. Kashmiri culture is a mix of south and west Asian, Iranian and Central Asian strands and patterns of living and behavior,” he said, adding, “Iranian and Central Asian Sufis migrated to the Kashmir Valley to propagate Islamic beliefs and values.”
Prof Masood ul Hasan, former Dean, Faculty of Arts in his presidential remarks said that Sheikh Sahab was the pillar of Kashmiriyat. Earlier, Prof Shaikk Mastan welcomed the guests and delegates while Professor Satheesan T N proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was conducted by Dr Manzoor Ahmad Najar.