An insightful roundtable titled Connecting Hearts and Cultures Through Mystical Wisdom was held at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, bringing together distinguished diplomats, scholars, and thought leaders. The event was jointly organized by the Sufi Council and the SACH Institute.
The roundtable featured H.E. Manuel Frederico Pinheiro da Silva, Ambassador of Portugal, and Mr. Hannes Machor, Deputy Head of Mission of the Austrian Embassy in Islamabad. The discussion explored the role of culture, heritage, art, and mysticism as unifying forces capable of bridging divides between nations and communities.
In his opening remarks, Peer Syed Mudassir Shah, President of the SACH Institute, emphasized that despite global and regional differences, particularly in South Asia, shared cultural roots and mystical traditions provide a powerful foundation for mutual understanding, peace, and cooperation.
H.E. Manuel Frederico Pinheiro da Silva chaired the roundtable and highlighted the importance of moving beyond negative historical narratives. He noted that an optimistic and forward-looking approach is essential for building prosperity and constructive international relationships.
Sahibzada Saad ur Rehman, Custodian of Eidgah Shareef, reflected on the enduring mystical values of the Sufi tradition and their relevance in contemporary society. Renowned scholar Mohammad Mehdi underscored the significance of common heritage as a binding force, particularly in the South Asian context. The discussion was further enriched by journalist Mian Asif (Wisi Baba), who offered perspectives on regional security dynamics.
The roundtable concluded with a shared understanding of the need to leverage cultural and spiritual wisdom as instruments for fostering harmony, resilience, and meaningful engagement across borders.
