GK News Network

India, Egypt forged in common bond of Sufiism: CM Ghulam Nabi Azad

24 February 2008

Jammu: It was a unique blend of Nile and Tawi that made Governor Lt. General (Retd) S K Sinha and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to recall  the rich bond of Sufism that forged the ancient civilizations of India and Egypt together from times immemorial.  Addressing jam-packed Zorawar Singh auditorium in University of Jammu here this evening on the occasion of Indo-Egyptian Sufi music performance, the Governor said the ethos and culture of Jammu and Kashmir is embodied in Sufi traditions and it also forms common bond between two great civilizations of India and Egypt. So mesmerized was the Governor with the astounding performance of the Egyptian group, which made him to remark, ‘Last year they set Jhelum on fire by their performance in SKICC auditorium and this time, Tawi is on fire. He went ahead by saying, ‘As a mark of affection, we have presented them houseboats and we wish them to float these in Nile”.

The Chief Minister also referred to the commonality of civilization between the two countries and said that Egypt too has preserved its glorious traditions. He said that he was highly impressed by the performance of Egyptian group in Srinagar last summer and had asked the Cultural Academy to have a repeat of it in other areas, especially in Jammu.

The programme was organized by the State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, University of Jammu and North Zone Cultural Centre. The Sufi music performance was given by Al Tannura Traditional Dance Group from Egypt and Dev Dildar and party. 

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