Lucknow: Interestingly a major development is the involvement of Sufi saints in a big way in the BJP endeavour. The large number of dargahs spread over the country have a big following even among Hindus. Sufi saints, known for their message of tolerance and brotherhood, have been closer in spirit to their vedantic counterparts and hence the interaction. A meeting of several Sufi saints held here at the residence of Aizaz Rizvi, U.P.’s Supply and Waqf Minister, on Feb. 11 was attended by at least 80 Sufi Muslim leaders, who decided to broaden the understanding between the two main communities. A new forum, Rashtriya Ekta Khankahi Mission, Uttar Pradesh, was set up with Rizvi as its chairman. The ruling party is to hold Sufi saints conferences in all districts soon followed by a national conference in April. (Hindu Feb. 13)
