Exploring Sufism’s Influence on Peace & Unity in J&K
Opinion

Exploring Sufism’s Influence on Peace & Unity in J&K

The Army has recognized that the Sufi tradition can be used to promote tolerance and integration. It has made efforts to revive these traditions in every locality of Kashmir.

Syed Aaliya

The beautiful territory of Jammu and Kashmir, which is referred to by beauty lovers all around the world as ‘Paradise on Earth,’ unfortunately, suffered from political instability and conflict for many years. Nevertheless, the spiritual legacy of Sufism has served as the foundation for the subsequent generations of people in this region and is a beacon of unity, patience, and compassion. Sufism which originated from Islamic mysticism is not restricted to any specific religion. It has always played a role to unify the society in this region for ages.

Sufism arrived in the Kashmir valley during the 14th century through Persian and Central Asian Sufis involving love, tolerance and spirituality in their preachings. Such Pirs or Sufi saints have left a profound imprint having amalgamated Islamic values with the culture and ethos of Kashmir. Sufism with its focus on the practical realisation of the truth and with its dismissiveness toward literalism of religious canons summed up the spiritual experience of Kashmir in one way or another and became a dominant current in the region’s spiritual life. Among the famous Sufis of this region, two prominent personalities of Jammu and Kashmir are Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani also known as Shah Hamadan and Sheikh Muhammad Noor Ud din Noorani commonly known as Nund Rishi. Shah-e-Hamadan, a Persian saint who came to Kashmir in the late 14th century is said to have introduced Islam in Kashmir and propagated the kind of Sufism that was based on social justice, uprightness and communal harmony. Through teaching, he sowed the seeds of Sufism in Kashmir.

Nund Rishi, who was a saint born in Kashmir, established the Rishi order which is a unique Sufi tradition that included aspects of local practices in Islam. The philosophy of Nund Rishi was very simple, and he preached compassion and oneness of God, which was appealing to the Hindus and Muslims in the area. He is still remembered as a spiritual figure who advocated for peace and non-violence, and his message is still relevant in the region of Kashmir today. Sufism is defined by the focus on divine unity and the integration of all beings. Islamic Sufi tradition regards inner purity of the heart, detachment, and love as priority aspects to finding enlightenment, Meditation, Prayer, and dhikr include among others the act of invoking the Divine by Sufis with a view of establishing a one on one with the Divine. This focus on spiritual journey devoid of physical stoning has made Sufism, a house of spiritualism for all irrespective of religion practised or sect. They have also passed into the world many valuable teachings especially the aspects of tolerance, compassion and nonviolence that have played a crucial role in creation of and nurturing of peace and unity in Jammu and Kashmir. There are incredibly many examples of Sufi saints having mediation and peace making roles during the time of war and conflicts. They preached people not to follow religion, caste system or other kinds of divisions, but people should understand they are human beings and they should share the love.

Dargahs (Sufi shrines) where people irrespective of caste, creed and colour went to pray, contemplate, and even take part in various forms of communal activities assumed immense value as the places where people of different religion could meet in harmony enhancing group and social cohesion. Given the multi ethnic and multicultural nature of Jammu and Kashmir it has become easier and convenient for people to accept the message of sufi saints of inclusiveness and unity in diversity. Some of the major Sufi shrines of Jammu and Kashmir built for Sufi saints have always depicted secularism. There are several other places, which have become shrines and places of worship, are tourist attractions for people of different religion and culture like the vicinity of the Hazratbal Shrine and the Khanqah-e-Moula. These shrines are not only religious constructions, but also facilities where people gather happily to receive blessings and pray for unity of the community.

The most important for tourism from the shrines is the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar because it has the hair of Prophet Muhammad. It is a revered place of Kashmir and is visited by thousands of people from both Muslim and Non-Muslim community in search of solace. Likewise, Khanqah-e-Moula, associated with Shah-e-Hamadan also helps to explain the continuity of Sufi tradition for civilised society and the promotion of tolerance and harmony. Nevertheless, over the recent decades, most of these shrines were dilapidated because of the extended turmoil in that area. It was at this time that the Indian Army planned an active role in the protection of these areas of historic and religious interest. More recently the Indian Army that is known for its work in security operations has added another task to its responsibilities profile that of the cultural ambassador tasked with the responsibility of preserving the Sufi culture of the region of Jammu and Kashmir. In doing so, it has been directly involved in the repair of Sufi shrines, in encouraging Sufi-centred religious activities, and in interacting with Sufi communities – all with a view to promoting spiritual harmony and the Sufi message.

The two axes of operation involved living saints (holy men) as players in the revival and sustenance of Sufism in India, and the Indian army as a supporter, protector and patron of the saints. Though the core mandate of operation of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir has been the containment of insecurity and fostering of stability, its part in the preservation of culture has raised more importance lately especially in the domain of Sufism. The Army has realised that Sufi tradition can be used for the purpose of bringing the message of tolerance and integration and it has made efforts in reviving these traditions. The Sufi shrines’ architecture in Jammu and Kashmir was also in poor condition; most of them had belonged to organisations destroyed or abandoned during the conflict. Knowing the role of these shrines as places of peace and unity of people, the Army has begun the process of saving these shrines. Thanks to numerous partnerships with local communities and leaders, the Army has contributed funds and work to preserve these shrines for open discussion and forgiveness to continue to take place. For instance, the Army has contributed to the rehabilitation of the shrine of Baba Reshi who is also a Sufi saint who was a victim of years of negligence having seen most of its facade falling apart. The restoration of such shrines has not only helped maintain the region’s religious history but also reunite people from all different communities. Apart from reconstructing common infrastructure facilities, the Indian Army has also helped to organise Sufi fests and other cultural programmes. These fairs include Urs celebrations which refer to the shrines on the death anniversary of a Sufi saint as important means for reinforcing the spirit of oneness and contemplating on living. Thanks to the Army’s efforts to maintain law and order when contemplating these events, people from different faiths have been able to join in the celebration of the importance of religion in their lives. While hosting such occasions, the Army has also assisted in the resurrection of Sufi practices that may not otherwise be in use anymore for use in society. Religious faiths and Cultural Endowments organised by the Army have served to foster the civil-military interactions thereby enhancing the dividends of the peace process. Sufi music and poetry have been essentially a part of the religious and folk tradition of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army also underparts civil society that realise art’s potential to mend broken spirits and bring people together has encouraged local artists and musicians who work in Sufi motifs. Sufi music , which translates into love, devotion and spiritual unison, has emerged into a key tool of reconciliations in the region. The Army has arranged Sindhi festivals including musical shows, dances, dramas, and plays that present Sufi music where local talent is showcased and citizens from different regions are benefited for peaceful gathering. Besides, they have supported the saving of Sufism’s arts and have strengthened the message of non-violence which is important for Sufism. The understanding of the Indian Army involvement goes beyond the enthusiasts’ efforts to revive Sufism. The one which has attained significant emphasis for the Army has been community engagement programs aimed at reconciling different factions in the Jammu and Kashmir region. About the civil–military operations, the Army’s Hearts and Minds strategy has been implementing projects that are education, health and social support related, and which have Sufi principles of love and care for humanity as their backbone. By extending support to development projects and defining the needs of local communities the Army has contributed to increasing the general positive attitude towards development in the region as well as solidarity of people. This engagement has also experienced the cultivation of friendly relations between the military and the local people.

These initiatives have given a sense of an opposite approach to the voices of hate, negative bias, and anger that have informed violence in the region. In this way the Army has cultivated the Sufi tradition and thereby encouraged tolerance and understanding between different ethnic groups hence returning positivity to identity.

That is why Sufism has always been an important discipline for peace and unity.

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