Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Sept 7, 2026 (BSS) - Dhaka University (DU) Treasurer Prof Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today called for spreading the Sufi saints' message of love for humanity across the globe to promote peace and harmony amid the crises confronting the world.

He made the call while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the 8th International Conference on "Sufi Culture: Middle East, West Africa and Bangladesh" at RC Majumdar Arts Auditorium on DU campus.

The Department of Persian Language and Literature of DU and Darul Irfan Research Institute (DIRI) jointly organised the day-long conference.

Emphasising the need to strengthen the practice and research of Sufi culture to prevent the erosion of social values, Prof Jahangir said the philosophy of equality and love for humanity espoused by Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, Hafiz Shirazi and National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam could play a significant role in this regard.

He also made an earnest call to researchers to come forward to help establish peace and harmony in society.

At the end of the inaugural session, cover of the conference booklet and the Bangla translation of "Musibatnama", a renowned work by Sufi poet Fariduddin Attar, were unveiled.

Twenty-two stories from the book were translated into Bangla prose and published through the joint efforts of 22 students and researchers of the Department of Persian Language and Literature.

Chairman of the Department of Persian Language and Literature Dr Md Mumit Al Rashid presided over the inaugural session while Vice-Chancellor of Global University Bangladesh Emeritus Professor Dr Anisuzzaman and Director General of the Directorate of Madrasha Education (DME) Md Shahadat Hossain spoke as special guests.

Managing Trustee of Darul Irfan Research Institute Shahzada Syed Irfanul Haque delivered the welcome speech while convener of the organising committee Professor Dr Mohammad Muhsin Uddin Mia delivered the felicitation speech.
 
Professor Dr Mohammad Ahsanul Hadi moderated the programme.

Deputy Attorney General of the Supreme Court of Bahrain Dr Ibrahim Al-Sheikh Rashid Al-Muraikhi, and Professor at Al-Azhar University in Egypt Dr Jamal Farouk Jibril Mahmoud presented papers at the conference.

Following the inaugural session, a panel discussion was held with Prof Dr. Shah Kawthar Mustafa Abululayee in the chair.