Download NaMo App
Download app
Search Search
English language

Let us turn this world into a garden of peace: Narendra Modi at World Sufi Forum

Published By : Admin | March 17, 2016 | 20:18 IST
Spreading terror in the name of religion are anti-religious: PM Modi
We must reject any link between terrorism and religion: PM Modi 
World Sufi Forum an assembly of those whose life itself is a message of peace, tolerance & love: PM 
World Sufi Forum: For the Sufis, service of God meant service to humanity, PM Modi 
None of the 99 names of Allah stand for violence: PM Modi 
Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality; a call to universal brotherhood, says PM Modi 
When terrorism & extremism have become the most destructive force of our times, message of Sufism has global relevance: PM 
Message of Sufism not just confined to combating terrorism, but encompasses creed of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas”: PM 
The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion: PM Modi
Fight against terrorism must be won through the strength of our values and the real message of religions: PM 

On the evening of Thursday 17th March 2016, Prime Minister addressed the World Sufi Forum at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhavan. The four-day event, which has been organized by the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board, brings together several international dignitaries from 20 countries. The event witnessed the presence of spiritual leaders, scholars, academicians and theologists from Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, UK, USA, Canada, Pakistan and other nations.

PM Narendra Modi’s extensive address focussed on the rich and glorioius history of Sufism, the vitality of tolerance and compassion and on the need for all humanitarian forces to join ranks and challenge forces of terror and hatred. The Prime Minister categorically denied any link between religion and terror and added that those spreading terror in the name of religion are nothing but anti-religious. The Prime Minister’s speech was widely appreciated by those at the programme and by eminent commentators.

The Prime Minister described the World Sufi Forum as an assembly of those, "whose life itself is a message of peace, tolerance and love." "At a time when the dark shadow of violence is becoming longer, you are the noor, or the light of hope. When young laughter is silenced by guns on the streets, you are the voice that heals," the Prime Minister told the assembled gathering of Sufi scholars and spiritual leaders.

The Prime Minister said that Sufism has emphasized an enduring lesson of human history – that it is through openness and enquiry, engagement and accommodation, and respect for diversity that humanity advances, nations progress and the world prospers.

Elaborating further, Prime Minister opined that for the Sufis, service of God meant service to humanity. "In the words of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, of all the worships, the worship that pleases the Almighty God the most is the grant of relief to the humble and the oppressed," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister explained that the message of Sufism, is in harmony with the soul of the Bhakti saint’s saying in the Hindu tradition, “Into the bosom of the one great sea, Flow streams that come from hills on every side.”

It reminds us that when we think of the 99 names of Allah, none stand for force and violence, and that the first two names denote compassionate and merciful. Allah is Rahman and Raheem," the Prime Minister said. Sufism is the voice of peace, co-existence, compassion and equality; a call to universal brotherhood, he added.

Shri Narendra Modi explained how Sufism has helped strengthen the inclusive culture that is India's great contribution to the world's cultural tapestry.

The Prime Minister said that India is moving forward on the strength of the struggles, the sacrifices, the bravery, the knowledge, the skill, the art and the pride of every member of every faith in our diverse and yet united nation. 

Referring to the global challenge of terrorism, the Prime Minister said that "when the spiritual love of Sufism, not the violent force of terrorism, flows across the border, this region will be the paradise on earth that Amir Khusrau spoke about." 

When terrorism and extremism have become the most destructive force of our times, the message of Sufism has global relevance, he added.

Referring to the horrors unleashed across the world by terrorists, he said the impact of terrorism cannot be captured by statistics alone. "There are forces and groups that are instruments of state policy and design. There are others recruited to the cause in misguided belief", the Prime Minister said.

Describing the battle that mankind must fight against terror, he said that this "is not a confrontation against any religion. It cannot be. It is a struggle between the values of humanism and the forces of inhumanity." He said that this is a battle "that must be won through the strength of our values and the real message of religions." 

He said that the message of Sufism is not just confined to combating terrorism, but also encompasses his creed of “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikaas”. 

Quoting extensively from holy scriptures and great mystics, the Prime Minister called for challenging "the forces of violence with the kindness of our love and universal human values." 

Earlier, delivering the open remarks to the gathering, Hazrat Syed Mohammad Ashraf, Founder President of the All India Ulama and Mashaikh Board, said that the Muslims of India, stand confident of their future in this country, and committed to upholding the unity, integrity and territorial sovereignty of the nation. Cabinet Minister Najma Heptulla was present at the occasion.

 

Click here to read the full text speech

Login or Register to add your comment
Explore More
No ifs and buts in anybody's mind about India’s capabilities: PM Modi on 77th Independence Day at Red Fort

Popular Speeches

No ifs and buts in anybody's mind about India’s capabilities: PM Modi on 77th Independence Day at Red Fort
View All
Kapil Dev Backs Indian Team, Lauds Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gesture After World Cup Final Loss

Media Coverage

Kapil Dev Backs Indian Team, Lauds Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gesture After World Cup Final Loss
View All
NM on the go

Nm on the go

Always be the first to hear from the PM. Get the App Now!
Download App
...
Narendra Modi: The Go-To Man in Times of Crises
November 29, 2023

“I salute the determination of all those involved in this rescue campaign. Their courage and resolve have given a new life to our fellow workers. Everyone involved in this mission has set a remarkable example of humanity and teamwork,” PM Modi said in a telephonic conversation with the rescued workers who were successfully pulled out of a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand.

41 workers had been trapped in the Silkyara tunnel for the past 17 days. The rescue operation, involving both advanced machinery and ingenious manual skill, lasted over 400 hours. The remarkable resilience displayed by the trapped workers, the dedicated rescue team, and the overarching administrative efforts collectively exemplify an impressive showcase of grit and perseverance.

This massive operation led by the central and state rescue teams is another example of Modi government’s deep commitment to the principles of federalism. It is also a masterclass in effective and timely mobilisation of resources to address the needs of citizens facing distressing situations.

Operation Ganga: Safely Evacuating Over 20,000 Indian Students from Ukraine
However, this is not something that we are seeing for the first time. Operation Ganga, a monumental effort to evacuate over 22,000 Indian students from Ukraine amidst a war, stands as a remarkable achievement. The mission entailed pooling of substantial resources, the provision of humanitarian assistance and the creation of a safe passage for students to return home. Prime Minister Modi was involved in every intricate detail of the operation—right from logistics to the diplomatic reach-out. In addition, to personally coordinate the entire rescue mission, four Union Ministers were dispatched to four neighbouring countries to Ukraine. On the home front, efforts were made to assuage the concerns of every parent, ensuring they were reassured about the swift and secure return of their children.

This is the Modi government’s ‘whole-of-government’ approach, where swift coordination between diverse ministries, government departments and public agencies leads to coherent action giving exceptional results.

The Machchhu Dam Disaster of 1979
However, the groundwork for Prime Minister Modi's mass mobilization approach was established during the early years of his public service. A striking and pioneering instance of this approach emerged during the Machchhu dam failure, commonly known as the Morbi disaster. It came to known as history’s biggest dam-related disaster unleashing a flood of water through the city of Morbi in 1979, leading to over 25,000 casualties and earning the unfortunate distinction of being the worst dam burst according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

At that time, Narendra Modi, an RSS Karyakarta in Gujarat, undertook extraordinary efforts to assist those affected on the ground. He leveraged the organisational strength of the RSS by mobilising the karyakartas in the time of crisis. He did not stop there. In the demoralizing aftermath, Narendra Modi, in his inimitable style, penned an inspirational letter to motivate the youth in Morbi to rebuild their lives.

The monumental relief efforts in Morbi spanned over a span of over two months, during which Narendra Modi who was an RSS Sangathak in Gujarat, demonstrated exemplary leadership, by personally taking charge and remaining at the forefront until the last bus taking volunteers home departed. Along with RSS volunteers, he assessed the situation and created a detailed plan through which teams were assigned specific tasks to address the different problems arising from the tragedy. Governments can take time before they can choose a course of action. But the 29-year-old worker Narendra Modi, pursued a singular course of action - reaching the people and find ways to alleviate their suffering.

2001 Gujarat Earthquake

Another compelling instance of Narendra Modi's commitment to mobilizing every available resource for swift and effective resolution, is the handling of the devastating 2001 earthquake that shook the state of Gujarat. Even before assuming role as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, then a BJP karyakarta, immediately rushed to ground zero to aid the affected.

During the aftermath of the massive earthquake in Bhuj, where Narendra Modi had no official role in the Gujarat government or the party hierarchy, he leveraged his personal network in the Sangh and mobilised the BJP's cadre to provide assistance to the earthquake victims. Witnessed by all, he rode pillion on a motorcycle to assess the damage and come up with potential remediation measures. Collaborating with non-profit organizations, organizing relief camps, distributing food, and coordinating support collection nationwide and internationally, Narendra Modi displayed how far he can go to assist those in need, irrespective of any formal power or position.

Upon assuming the role of Chief Minister shortly after, Modi chose to spend Diwali in 2001 in Bhuj, in solidarity with the earthquake victims. Shortly afterward, CM Modi displayed sensitive leadership when he organized a mass worship offering to Mother Earth, alleviating fears caused by the earthquake.

When faced with the monumental task of rehabilitation, Chief Minister Narendra Modi left no stone unturned in mobilizing the state’s government machinery. In the face of officials estimating a rehabilitation period of at least three years, Narendra Modi, not aloof of ground realities in Gujarat and conscious of the urgency for those who had become homeless and destitute, issued a straightforward directive: Kutch should stand on its feet again in three months. As the first anniversary of the earthquake of 26 January 2002 approached, Kutch not only stood on its feet but also started regaining momentum.

The Uttarakashi Tunnel Rescue materialized into reality only through decisive leadership at the helm which demonstrated a profound concern for those at the grassroots level. India stood to benefit from the hands-on experiences of the Prime Minister, who has witnessed and managed several many disasters and crisis as a RSS swayamsevak, a BJP karyakarta, and later as the head of the state in Gujarat and India.

Today, we see that this personal abilitiy of PM Modi has transformed into institutional power. This ‘whole-of-government’ approach has transformed the governance paradigm in India, and today one can proudly say that it was an all of government, all of India operation.