Press Release: Punjabi University cancels Pak qawaals program #Censorship

9 Dec, New Delhi

Abu Mohammad and  Farid Ayas in the pic

We, at Aaghaz-e-Dosti, condemn the decision of Punjabi University to withdraw the proposed program of qawaals from Pakistan during the International conference on Sufism and Sikkhism, organized by Baba Farid Centre for Sufi Studies at the University.

Farid Ayyaz and Abu Mohammad, Ghayoor Moiz Mustafa, Tehseen Farid and brothers from Karachi,

They belong to  gharana of qawwali: 'Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana' of Delhi, which is about 705 years old and was started by a student of Amir Khusrau.

They performed yesterday at High commission of Pakistan.

We condemn this act because the reasons given by the university states 'Killing of Indian Soldiers in J&K'.

We condemn the decision and statement of the university in view of reasons that a university itself must be centre of critical education that should be far from any discrimination, nationalistic sentiments and confined ideologies. It should also be noted that even the killings of soldiers were done by terrorists and not by the state of Pakistan.

Also, the performance was truly a qawaali program that was associated with 'Arts and Music' and this area is being considered as pious, beyond boundaries and apolitical. These qawaals belong from sufi trend that itself is not only very common among and a joining link between India and Pakistan, but also itself a great message of humanity, love and peace. It is to note that Sufism itself has been received a recognition of a type of art that counters violence and extremism through the contents of love and devotion.

These qawaals were to perform the words of Kabir, Meera, Baba farid, Bulleshah, Khusro and other such great personalities who have equal respect in Indian and Pakistani hearts.

We believe that such decision by a 'university' will only help the extremists and not to common people and peace lovers. This decision reflects the damage of the very objective of 'university' that mean to be a structure of education that belongs to ;universe'

We also state here our support to the group of qawaals , as we support people to people relation all time and we support all such persons who spread peace and love in these countries. We also extend our support with our decision that Aaghaz-e-Dosti is ready to organize their performance in case the group desires to do so. We also appeal to all like minded organizations and specially to Universities to come in support of them and to invite them at their places to have a performance.

Press Release sent by:

Aaghaz-e-Dosti

Ravi Nitesh (9958907799) , Devika Mittal (9582129927)