Promoting spiritual movements like Sufism, which represents the core of theology, is important to overcome communal challenges, pointed out a seminar on the ‘Spiritual traditions of Kerala,’ organised by Shaik Baa Kajha Muenudeen Music Academy at Padapparamba on Sunday.
Reinstating the rich spiritual traditions of Kerala, which is a symphonic spectrum of different faiths, including the Advaita Vedanda and Sufi shades of Islam, can immensely contribute towards maintaining peace in troubled times, said K.K.N. Kurup, historian and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calicut.
Inaugurating the event, Sanskrit scholar C.N. Neelakantan said: “We are living at a time when even spirituality is being used to divide people. It is important that people who represent the true face of different faiths stand united to defeat regressive forces.”
Historian V. Kunhali said Islam travelled to Kerala in the form of Sufism centuries ago.
It was through those saint-like spiritual leaders who accompanied traders from Arabian countries to India and embodied great qualities of love and compassion that Islam reached out to a wide audience, said Dr. Kunhali.
Historian Hussain Randathani said Sufism was the practice of the real values of Islam and it gave lesser importance to dogmas and rituals. “So it could quickly and easily connect with people,” he said.
Academic experts including E. Ismael, M.S. Nair, E.K. Govinda Varma Raja and Sreedevi were among those who spoke.