Seminar on 800th birth anniversary of Maulana Rumi

Chandigarh, Nov 23 (UNI) Haryana Governor A R Kidwai today stressed the need for propagating the message of humanism and friendship among people in the world.

He was inaugurating a two-day seminar on the 800th birth anniversary of Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, one of the great mystic poets who lived in Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey, at the Raj Bhavan here.

Sages, seers and sufi saints of different countries also conveyed the similar message of universal brotherhood and considered the whole world as their abode, he said.

Dr Kidwai advocated dissemination of high ideals and teachings of great men so as to usher peace in the world.

The Governor appreciated the gesture of UNESCO in declaring 2007 as the year of Maulana Rumi.

Education Minister Mange Ram Gupta, who presided the function, said that it was the responsibility of all academics, constituted by the Government, to disseminate the preaching of great men so that people tread the right path.

The Director of Iran Culture House, Dr Abdul Hamid Ziaei, who was Chief Guest on the occasion, also spoke.

Prof Chander Sekhar, Head of the Persian Department of Delhi University, said that such seminars would help keep alive the ages-old cultural ties of India and Iran.

He gave a brief life-sketch of Mulana Jalaludin Balkhi Rumi Who was born in 1207 AD and whose 800th birth anniversary was being celebrated all over the world.

Mr K K Zakir, Secretary, Haryana Urdu Akademi, disclosed on this occasion that all research papers to be presented by Iranian scholars would be translated into Urdu and Hindi.

Prof Sharif Hussain Qasmi said that it was a historical fact that Bau Ali Shah Kalander whose tomb is in Panipat was the only Indian who had met Rumi at Ooniy in Turkey.

Prof Karoosh Safai of Allama Tabatabal University, Tehran, and Mr Shiv Ram Gour, Commissioner, Higher Eduction, Haryana, also spoke on the occasion.

UNI