Sufism binds millions of hearts in subcontinent: Abida Parveen

New Delhi: Sufi legend Abida Parveen Tuesday said that Sufism binds millions of people in the subcontinent and that the forthcoming festival Jahan-e-Khusrau festival is an effort to create a spiritual mood. The 10th edition of the three-day festival starts March 2 at Humayun`s Tomb. "Sufism has evolved from the beginning of this universe. It bridges the gap between the hearts. This festival brings different colours together. This is a message from heart to heart. This is a an effort to create a spiritual context for the common people," she told reporters at a press conference to announce the date of Jahan-e-Khusrau, a Sufi festival by Rumi foundation. Parveen, who is from Pakistan, has a huge fan following here and she has been a part of the festival since beginning, but she couldn`t attend the festival last year due to health reasons. "Tasawuf (a Sufi term that means focusing on one`s relationship with god) is god`s name. We don`t need any language or identity to understand Allah," added the singer. Jahan-e-Khusrau 2012 will see performances by Abida Parveen, Ali Zafar, Hans Raj Hans, Andrea Griminelli and will also introduce new faces like Indra Naik, Vidhi Sharma, Rajesh Pandey, Vidhi Lal, and Shivani Varma . Well-known designer and filmmaker, Muzafar Ali, who is the director of the festival, feels that "Delhi is the city of saints and it calls for the union of souls". "We have been organising this festival for the past 10 years and each year we present at least 20-30 new and exclusive poems sung by eminent Sufi singers like Abida Parveen," he added. IANS