Rawalpindi, The Punjab Arts Council, in partnership with the International Shah Hamadan Association, hosted the Shah Hamadan International Conference to commemorate the death anniversary of the prominent Sufi, Syed Ali Hamadani, known as Hazrat Shah Hamadan. The event emphasized the role of Sufi teachings in eradicating terrorism and sectarianism.

According to Punjab Arts Council, the conference was chaired by Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi, Chairman of the International Shah Hamadan Conference, who argued that the teachings of Hazrat Shah Hamadan could be instrumental in completely eliminating terrorism and sectarianism. Dr. Mehdi also suggested incorporating Hazrat Shah Hamadan’s achievements into educational curricula to highlight his role as a cultural bridge between Central Asia and Pakistan.

Director Sajjad Hussain noted Hazrat Shah Hamadan’s impact on uniting Muslims in both Azad Kashmir and occupied Kashmir, emphasizing the need for a government-backed strategy to republish Hamadan’s works. Renowned historian Professor Dr. Riaz Ahmed highlighted that the International Shah Hamadan Association had established a memorial at the site of Hazrat Shah Hamadan’s death, reflecting on how promoting Sufism could enhance societal moral values.

The conference also included suggestions for officially observing Hazrat Shah Hamadan’s death anniversary across Pakistan and Kashmir, proposed by Naeem Akram Qureshi, President of Bazm-e-Urooj-e-Adab. The event closed with a prayer session led by Saghar Abbas Hamdani, Secretary of the International Shah Hamadan Association, honoring past and present leaders of the organization.