Destination of love by Ahmad-i-Jam

Sohaib Qureshi has translated 12th century mystic Ahmad-i Jam’s verse – thanks to his endeavours Manzil-i ishq az makàn-i dìgar ast Mard-i ìn ràh…

The sufi solution

“…The Chishti school of Sufism did not exclude any religion and gave way to a plural Indian identity. This is why the extremists in…

Video| On Kabir, Bulleh Shah and Lalon Shah

Not a great recording of my talk at Kuch Khaas, Islamabad. I read some of my papers – written by me on three of…

Chisht? Sufis in the Sultanate of Delhi (book review)

When the shrine of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar in Pakpattan was attacked last year, the real significance of the incident was not fully understood.…

Is Islamic Mysticism Really Islam?

By Omid Safi There is a lovely story from the life of the Prophet Muhammad, remembering that a mysterious visitor came upon him and…

Bulleh for our times

By Ali Abbas Mystifying is the turn of time, indeed. Refuted by clerics of his time, the same Bulleh Shah who was refused burial…

The Beloved you’ve lost

…but you’ve chained me down stolen away my heart leaving yourself behind now i’ve lost my way my soul restless and head twisted all…

Baba Nanak to Baba Farid

This is how the Sufis and mystics of South Asia viewed jihad, peace and the role of religion. Surely our extremists need to read…

Chal Way Bullehya Chal Othay Chaliyay – Let’s go where everyone is blind

Chal Way Bullehya Chal Othay Chaliyay Jithay Saaray Annay Na Koi Saadee Zaat PichHanay Tay Na Koi Saanu Mannay *** O Bulleh Shah let’s…

Baba Farid’s shrine and the barbarians within us

This morning arrived with the shocking news of the recent barbarity played out in Pakpattan (formerly known as Ajodhan) when two criminals left bombs…

Saints who ruled India

‘The War that Wasn’t: The Sufi and the Sultan’ By Fatima Hussain Publisher: Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi Pages: 245 Book Review Last…

A beatific vision – Nizamuddin Auliya

A beatific vision – Nizamuddin Auliya, originally uploaded by Jahane Rumi. There is something unique, almost magical about this place. Otherwise a tiny space…

Lahore attack strikes Sufism, a tolerant blend of Islam

A France24 story By Leela JACINTO (where I was quoted) The attack on the landmark Data Darbar shrine in the eastern Pakistani city of…

Suicide bombers kill dozens at Pakistan shrine

Declan Walsh in Islamabad reporting for the Guardian At least 42 killed and 175 injured in blasts at Sufi shrine in Lahore where thousands…

Suicide Bombers Strike Sufi Shrine in Pakistan

I was quoted in this piece – wish the references were made in a less tragic context. “Suicide Bombers Strike Sufi Shrine in Pakistan”,…

Outstanding rendition – Khwaja meray Khwaja

This is a fabulous, almost flawless performance by Sreeram, an aspirant for the Indian Idol selection. Originally rendered by A R Rahman, this young…

8th International Mystic Music Sufi Festival

Sufi Music and Expression of Devotion from the Muslim World is one among a rare festival initiated in Pakistan by Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop.Performance…

Festival of Lights at Madhu Lal’s Urs, 2010

The 3-days Urs of Hazrat Shah Hussain (March 27-29, 2010), radical Sufi saint of Punjab, gained momentum on the weekend as thousands of devotees…

Abida Parveen sings Faraz’s poem

Found this enchanting piece of music here: In his latest double CD “Paigham-e-Muhabbat” composer Muzaffar Ali, who has brought so much pleasure to our…

Mystical Form of Islam Suits Sufis in Pakistan

A NYT piece where I was quoted. By SABRINA TAVERNISE – LAHORE, Pakistan For those who think Pakistan is all hard-liners, all the time,…
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