Books on life of Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali released

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 15

The Markaz-e-Noor Centre for Sheikh-ul-Alam Studies (CSAS) and the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages released two books on the life and contributions of revered Sufi saint Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali at the University of Kashmir here today.

‘Ryesh Wa’er’ (Valley of Saints) by late Prof Manzoor Ahmad Fazili in English and ‘Bole Anmole’ by Naeem Ahmad Karnai in Pahari language were released by officiating Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Prof Mehraj ud Din, who also presided over the function.

Academy secretary Aziz Hajni said a lot had been written about Sheikh Noor-ud-Din, also known as Nund Reshi and Sheikh-ul-Alam, but there were not many works in English, adding that ‘Ryesh Wa’er’ would introduce the multi-faceted personality of Nund Reshi to the outside world.

“Sheikh-ul-Alam was an icon. He was not just a Sufi poet, but also a preacher and touched all facets of life,” he said.

CSAS chairman Bashar Bashir termed ‘Ryesh Wa’er’ as a review of the philosophy of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din by a “social scientist”.

He also lauded Karnai for the first ever Pahari translation of Sheikh-ul-Alam’s poetry and congratulated the author for his valuable contribution to the literary field.

Poet and a literary figure Farooq Nazki, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, urged the Academy to bring to the fore more works of Professor Fazili, especially those written in Kashmiri language.

“I would especially like to see the reprint of ‘Panchayati Raj’, which is among Fazili’s best books,” he said.

In his concluding remarks, CUK Vice Chancellor said Professor Fazili had left behind a “legacy to follow”. He said the young scholars and students should follow the footsteps of the great scholar.

He urged the Academy and the CSAS to work together so that more works on Sheikh-ul-Alam were released.

Prof Mehraj ud Din said the CUK too would soon organise a seminar on the Sufi saint.

Naeem Karnai, former secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages; MLC Zaffar Iqbal Manhas; and Professor Fazili’s son Ehsan also spoke on the occasion.

The function was attended by a galaxy of well-known personalities, writers and scholars of the Valley, besides Karnah MLA Raja Manzoor Ahmad Khan and veteran journalist Mohammad Sayeed Malik.