The teachings and poetry of Sufi poet Waris Shah must be spread across society to promote harmony, awareness, and peace by reconnecting people with their cultural roots and spiritual heritage. This was emphasized by Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan while addressing the Waris Shah Conference organized by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).
The event brought together prominent scholars and academics, including UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali, Faisalabad Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zafar Ch, GC Women University Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Amin, Deep Singh from Oxford University, Dean Faculty of Arts and Humanities UAF Prof Dr Shazia Ramzan, FAST University Faisalabad Director Shahzad Sarfraz, and Dr Jamil Ahmad, among others.
In his address, Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan highlighted that Waris Shah’s poetry serves as a vivid depiction of Punjab’s life, society, and politics during the 18th century. “Waris Shah’s Heer Ranja is a treasure-trove of Punjabi idioms, expressions, and deep insights into human character. His realistic portrayal of life remains unmatched and continues to inspire generations,” he remarked, describing Waris Shah as “the Shakespeare of Punjab.”
Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali emphasized the importance of introducing Waris Shah’s philosophy and moral teachings to the younger generation. He noted that UAF has established an independent Waris Shah Academic Chair within the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, dedicated to promoting Punjabi literature, culture, and multilingual research on the Sufi poet’s life and works.
Deep Singh from Oxford University underscored the need to replace conflict with a culture of peace, harmony, and brotherhood, echoing Waris Shah’s timeless message of human unity.
Prof Dr Shazia Ramzan described the conference as an effort to shed light on the philosophical, literary, and cultural significance of Waris Shah’s work. She said, “Waris Shah’s writings serve as an encyclopedia of Punjabi culture, documenting the language, idioms, and social fabric of 18th-century Punjab. Connecting today’s youth with this heritage is essential for preserving our identity.”
Dr Jamil Ahmad stressed that nations that lose touch with their culture risk fading from history, urging collective efforts to revive and sustain Pakistan’s rich cultural legacy.
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The conference concluded with remarks from scholars and participants, including Kashif Shakeel and Sanwal Dhilion, reaffirming their commitment to promoting the universal message of love, tolerance, and humanity embodied in Waris Shah’s poetry.