New Delhi

Prominent leaders of the Sufi shrines met the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju to discuss the development of the proposed Sufi Corridor, which will begin from Ajmer Sharif, the shrine of Khawaja Moinudin Chishty, one of the most revered Sufis of the Indian sub-continent.

The plan to project the Sufi heritage as part of Indian syncretism by developing world-class infrastructure around major shrines of India was envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The ambitious Sufi Corridor project aims to establish India as the top Sufi spiritual destination globally.

The delegation led by Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif and President of the Chishty Foundation of Ajmer Sharif met Rijiju in his office on Saturday. BJP leader Shazia Ilmi was also part of the Muslim delegation.

Minister Kiren Rijiju wrote about nd also posted a video of the meeting on X:

Met the esteemed Sufi Mashaikh of India, led by Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif, along with other revered Sufi spiritual leaders. The exchange of thoughts & wisdom was truly enriching, reflecting the profound spiritual heritage that unites us. Their… pic.twitter.com/2xBYIOkBNb

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 24, 2024

Haji Syed Salman Chishty said that the proposed Sufi Corridor will not only preserve the heritage of Sufism but also promotes it globally. He said, better facilities and connections would attract millions of Sufi followers and tourists from all over the world.

Besides, the delegation also shared their collective commitment to the holistic development of the diverse Muslim community across India.

Minister Kiren Rijiju in a meeting with Sufi leaders  

These efforts are in line with the new Waqf Bill which is under the consideration of the parliament. The delegations spoke about its various clauses and the apprehensions of Muslims to some of its clauses.

Notable personalities from Sufi Dargahs across India in the delegation included Syed Afshan Chishty and Mehraj Chishty from Ajmer Sharif, Manzoorul Haq Qutubi from Dargah Hazrat Baba Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki Chishty, Syed Anfal Nizami from Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Delhi, Syed Naseeruddin Chishty from Shahi Bagh Khanqah-e-Chishtia Dargah, Ahmedabad, Sufi Muhammad Khushal Shah from Dargah Hazrat Sufi, Jawad Ahmed Khushal from Muzaffarnagar-UP, and Afzal Ishaq Ilmi from New Delhi.

Minister Rijiju extended a prospective invitation to the Sufi delegation to attend the Joint Parliamentary Committee meetings to be held in the next few weeks.

Minister Kiren Rijiju reading the memorandum of the demands and suggestions of Sufi leaders  

This invitation is an important opportunity for continued cooperation and dialogue between the government and spiritual leaders.

During the meeting, Haji Syed Salman Chishty presented the Holy Tabarrukat and did Dastarbandi from Ajmer Sharif as a symbol of respect and goodwill.

Rijiju was also presented with an original canvas Sufi artwork titled “Whirling Dervishes”, which symbolizes the deep spiritual connection and artistic heritage of Sufism in India.

According to a handout issued by the Sufi delegation, “This meeting underlines the government's commitment to support the spiritual and social aspirations of India's Muslim community and to promote India's cultural and spiritual heritage on the world stage. The cooperation between the government and the Sufi community is a testimony to the nation's commitment to peace, unity, and progress.”

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It further said, “As the world looks to India for spiritual guidance, the Sufi Corridor and related initiatives will not only enhance the country's status as a spiritual hub but also ensure that the values ​​of Sufism - love, peace, and harmony - continue to inspire generations to come.”