LAHORE: In a session titled `Hamari Shanakhat` at the Lahore Literary Festival on Saturday, panelists explored different aspects of Sufism and how, throughout history, Suñs stood against brutality and despotism.

The session was moderated by Dr Muhammad Jawad and the panelists were noted playwright Nurul Huda Shah and former Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture director general Dr Sughra Sadaf.

Dr Sadaf said Sufism was not just about visiting shrines, attending gawalis, or performing dhamal; it goes beyond that because a Sufi is the voice of justice who does not stand with the wrong and resists brutality and despotism. She said that if one lool(ed at the fundamental vein running through the Suñ system, Sufis had always played a role in spreading a culture of tolerance. A Sufi always spoke about things rooted in one`s region and people. She said that meditation played an importantrole in the lives of Sufis, and there was a need to spread their teachings to develop a tolerant society.

Ms Shah said that Sufis had always raised their voices against despotism. She said Sufis had always opposed Darbari maulvis who, in an effort to praise kings, would issue favourable decisions for them. Ms Shah said Sufi saints, such as Moinuddin Chishti, brought many into the fold of Islam and spread their teachings through poetry and music, understanding the psychology of the people in this region. To Nurul Huda Shah, Sufism has always been a deterrent to extremism, and she believed that, compared to Sindh, Punjab had more extremism.

Sun poets are a precious treasure of this region, but Pakistan is the only country that has handed over this valuable heritage to the Auqaf Department, she added.

Mentioning Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, a Sufi saint from Sindh, Ms Shah said that without Bhittai, Sindh was incomplete.

She said the teachings of a Sun lead one to self-reformation, andself-reformation makes one a real human being who cares for othersand spreadslove and peacein society.

In another session titled `Urdu Adab Mein Aurat Ka Aks`, panelists discussed different female writers and poets who have earned a prominent place in Urdu literature. The session was moderated by Sofia Baidar, with panelists Neelam Ahmed Bashir, Fatima Hassan and Nurul Huda Shah.

Speaking on the topic, Ms Bashir said that since the inception of Urdu literature, women have always been present in it.

She said that, just like in the past, today`s literature also debates the concept of `good` and `bad` women. However, if one looks at popular opinion, women portrayed as obedient are more appreciated-those who do not have their own will. This is the dilemma of society, she added. No female writer today writes like Ismat Chughtai once did. She said there is need to expand the subjects explored by female writers in Urdu literature. Ms Bashir said that in all love tales, womenplayed an active role-whether it was Sohni or Heer.

Fatima Hassan talked about feminine consciousness and regretted how women are often subjected to abuse. She discussed the poetry of Parveen Shakir and Fehmida Riaz, saying that men perhaps did not like Fehmida Riaz`s poetry because it hurt their ego.

Ms Shah said that some of the greatest novels in Urdu literature were written by women, with Qurratulain Hyder being a major name. Many writers were inspired by Qurratulain Hyder, though the theme of her novels was not just women but universality. Similarly, Jameela Hashmi`s novel Dasht-e-Soos was based on extensive research. She said Fehmida Riaz was a giant of a poet who had a deep awareness of the times she lived through. She added that Parveen Shakir`s poetry was imbued with romanticism. Shah said that when women were gaining literary consciousness, Ismat Chughtai and Wajida Tabassum were writing. They made great contributions to Urdu literature.