Srinagar : Vice-Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Nilofer Khan on Tuesday inaugurated a two-day national seminar on ‘Analytical Study of Kalaam-e Shaikh al-Alam (RA): Selected Poems’.
According to a statement issued from Center for Public Relations, the Vice Chancellor while addressing the inaugural session said that universal message in the teachings and philosophy of Shaikh al-Alam (RA) must reach the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and beyond for them to embrace it as a way of living.
Assuring the University administration’s full support to Shiekh al-Alam Centre for Multidisciplinary Studies (SACMS), which has organized the two-day seminar, Prof Nilofar urged the Centre to publish small multilingual booklets on varied aspects of life and teachings of Shaikh al-Alam (RA) for easy comprehension by the masses, especially the youth. She said it’s important for SACMS to develop a strong connection with civil society to spread the message of Shaikh al-Alam (RA) which remains as relevant as ever.
On this occasion, Prof Shakil A Romshoo, Vice-Chancellor Islamic University, who was a guest of honour, said it’s important for scholars to analyse if we have done enough to raise awareness about Shaikh al-Alam’s teachings to make these a part of our living. “We need to think out of the box to promote and support centres like SACMS which are linked to our rich spiritual legacy,” he said.
In his address KU Registrar DrNisar A Mir underlined the importance of making correct analyses of Shaikh al-Alam’s poems for their right interpretation and understanding. Keynote speaker Prof Shad Ramzan, former Head, Department of Kashmiri KU, called for “authentic and genuine” reading of the text (kalaam) of Sheikh al-Alam (RA). “If we do not comprehend the true historical, social and literary context/meaning of the words and text of Sheikh al-Alam (RA), we may be doing a great injustice to his personality as well as his great works,” he said. In his welcome address, Prof G N Khaki, Director SACMS emphasised the need to research the kalam of Shaikh al-Ālam (RA) so that it is authenticated and serves the purpose of reinforcing the secular Kashmiri traditions of peace and tolerance that are embodied in his poetry.
Three books on varied aspects of Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA)—in English, Urdu and Kashmiri languages—were released at the event, even as Dr Masood Ahmad Masoodi (sajadanishin, DargahSharief, Alamadar-i Kashmir, Qaimoh), Haji Mohammad Younis (sajadanishin, DargahSharief, Alamadar-i Kashmir, Chrar-i-Sharief) and DrInayatGul (Chrar-i-Sharief) felicitated the two Vice Chancellors. Ten research papers were read in the two technical sessions by eminent scholars of Shaikh al-Ālam Studies who analyzed his various poems. The sessions were chaired by Prof Basher Bashir and Prof G N Adfar. Dr Muhammad Ilham conducted the proceedings while Dr Saltanat Farooq presented a vote of thanks.
