The Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, organised a lecture programme on “ Universal Sufism and World Peace” in the light of the teachings of Hazrat Sufi Inayat Khan. Renowned scholar and practicing sufi representative of South Asia Chapter of Universal Sufi movement of Hazrat Sufi Inayat Khan, Naila Hayat Noon  attended the programme as the keynote speaker and delivered the lecture.

The session was presided over by Professor Dr. Muhammad Khan Sangi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, who was nominated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sindh, Professor Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri (TI).

Speaking on the occasion, Naila Hayat Noon discussed the rich traditions and heritage of Sufism in Islam in the light of Quranic verses. The central themes of her lecture were self-transformation, self-reform and the awakening of consciousness. She highlighted that Sufis strive to reform and transform themselves with the aim of bringing positive change and improvement to society.

She said that the fundamental message of Sufism was love, tolerance, peace, forbearance and service to humanity, which Sufis had spread throughout the world. She maintained that Islam was a religion of peace and tolerance and that Sufism promoted this message.

She said that divine consciousness was the foundation of Sufism. Through self-reform, the awakening of consciousness and divine love, Sufism guided people towards peace and harmony. She observed that materialism, greed and violence in the contemporary world had distanced human beings from their original, innate human nature.

She said that when people understood the nature of divine justice, mutual cooperation and the law of love, they became capable of viewing the world and other human beings from a new perspective. When selfishness brought people to a point where they lost everything, they needed spiritual guidance to help them discover genuine love.

She further emphasised that people should move beyond prejudice and narrow-mindedness and use the power of consciousness to bring about positive change. When people turned towards the inner and spiritual dimensions of religion, the concepts of unity, love and shared humanity became more evident. She said that instead of dividing the world into opposing categories of right and wrong or good and evil, people needed to understand the concept of unity and recognise its significance in human life.

Highlighting the importance of Sufism in protecting nature, she said that it was essential to understand the interconnectedness and mutual relationships among God's creatures, as no creature existed or functioned entirely in isolation from others.

On the occasion, she quoted a saying attributed to Hazrat Ali: “There are only two kinds of relation among you: you are either brothers in faith or equals in humanity.”

Referring to the teachings of Hazrat Sufi Inayat Khan, she highlighted the interdependence and interconnectedness of all creatures, which foster mutual cooperation and harmony.

She also made special mention of the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, highlighting its Sufi message. Describing the Indus River as a source of connection among different communities, she cited the Sindhi Rilli, a traditional patchwork quilt made by stitching together pieces of fabric in different colours. She said that the Rilli was a beautiful symbol of unity.

In his presidential address, Professor Dr. Muhammad Khan Sangi congratulated the chairman of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology and his team on organising a lecture programme on such an important subject. He also thanked Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri for giving him the opportunity to preside over the event.

He said that in a society where intolerance, tension, psychological distress and social unrest prevailed, promoting the universal message of Sufism could help transform the social environment and produce positive results. He added that Sufis preached peace, love, tolerance and forbearance.

He further said that universities were not merely responsible for awarding degrees; they also had a duty to promote awareness and consciousness through programmes of this nature. He expressed the hope that the lecture would prove beneficial to the participants.

On the occasion, Registrar of the University of Sindh, Sajid Qayoom Memon, also shared his views on the subject. Earlier, Chairman of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, Dr. Abdul Razaque Channa, welcomed the participants in his opening remarks and explained the objectives of the lecture. Dr. Channa told that “Today is particularly significant because 17 October is observed internationally as World Sufism Day. The University of Sindh is proud to commemorate this occasion by bringing together scholars, students, and the wider academic community to reflect on the timeless values of Sufism. At a time when the world is facing conflict, polarization and social divisions, the universal teachings of Sufism offer hope and remind us that lasting peace begins with understanding, respect, and the recognition of our shared humanity.”

At the conclusion, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Professor Dr. Naheed Kaka, thanked all the participants. The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Rafique Wassan, a faculty member of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, who also provided a detailed introduction to the speaker, Naila Hayat Noon.

A large number of participants attended the programme, including the Deans of various faculties of the University of Sindh, Professor Dr. Nanik Ram and Professor Dr. Lachhman Das Dhomeja, heads of various departments, faculty members, teachers, officers and students.