Department of Information and Public Relations in collaboration with 'Beeline Services' a Kashmir based advertising, travel and MICE company organized an event on traditional Sufi music in honor of music artists from Iran with an aim to highlight the link between Iran and Kashmir in respect of music and Sufism.The event was held at the newly refurbished auditorium of Department of Information and Public Relations at Media Complex here. Director Information, Muneer-ul-Islam inaugurated the event and welcomed the guests from Iran. He hailed the cultural ties between Kashmir and Iran.On the occasion Iran's famous poet Dr Mustafa Rehmandost spoke about the commonalities between Iranian and Kashmiri culture. "Iran has had a very long association with Kashmir via religion, culture, arts, music etc and there is a need to strengthen these ties ever more in the present scenario.", he remarked.
Popular Kashmiri Sufi singers Ustaad Mushtaq Ahmad Saaznawaz and Ustaad Munir Ahmad Mir enthralled the audience with their soulful Sufi renditions of the poetry of Hafez Shirazi and Amir Khusru, the legendary Iranian mystics.The event organizer Mirza Ghazanfar while outlining the aim of holding the event said holding such events bridges the gaps between the societies and bring them closer besides promoting religious tourism which will give a big boost to our economy with far more holdings and shall mean true essence of Kashmiriyat.He said there is untapped tourism potential in Kashmir and the visiting guests will prove to be de facto ambassadors of the tourism rich Valley in their country besides establishing an age old traditional and cultural link between Kashmir and Iran.Speakers said Iran and Kashmir share old and strong bonds owing to many similarities in terms of language, culture, geography, art and architecture, religion etc. They said organizing this "welcome" event will send a good message across Iran and beyond about the tremendous tourism potential that J&K is blessed with.Organisers of the event said the visiting cultural and academic travel group from Iran has been exploring the culture and scenic beauty in state from Ladakh, Kargil for about a week and will continue to do so in the days ahead here in Kashmir. They will also visit shrines, tombs or memorials of great Iranian religious scholars and saints including Khanqah-e-Moulla, the shrine of Mir Sayed Ali Hamadani (RA) in Srinagar, Sayed Hassan Mantaqi (RA) in Awantipora (Pulwama), Sayed Muhammad Simnani (RA) in Kulgam and Allama Abul Hasan Hafiziyan (RA) in Sofipora Pahalgam.