Srinagar
On his fourth death anniversary, Life Foundation on Wednesday released Hayat-e-Sheikh ul Aalam by known Rishi scholar Assadllah Afaqi. The book was released at a function in Togore Hall that had Prof Merajuddin, VC Central University, Yosuf Taing and Dr zaman Azrdah as special guests.
Afaqi, a resident of Chrar-e-Sharief, was a writer and poet who did most of his works around the life and contributions of Sheikh Noorddin, Kashmir standard bearer saint. Of his many book during his long literary career, speaker said he had already done three books on the poetic contributions of the saint, whose mausoleum is in Chrar. Afaqi passed away in 2013.
During his life time, Afaqi had set up a school, the Life School at Zalsoo in Chrar. Besides, he had founded the Life Foundation. Wednesday function was organized by the foundation in which scores of students from the said school also participated. The school and the Foundation are now led by his son Baba Nazr ul Islam.
Speakerssaid the 600 page plus book is a massive contribution in the Noorani related literature. “I am sure that the book will trigger a debate and will be acknowledged as a major contribtion in undersanding the saint,” Islam said.
At the start of the function, also attended by Director School Education Dr G N Ittoo and School Association leader G N War, the Foundation bestowed a special honour on Taing for his life time contributions to the Kashmir literature with special reference to the Sheikh-ul-Alam. The medieval era Muslim saint was one of the key factors in peaceful spread of Islam in Kashmir. His massive poetry has remained key in understanding the message of Islam in Kashmir till date.
