UN chief invokes Sufi poet Bulleh Shah for peace

Citing Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, UN chief Ban Ki-moon has extolled Sufi values of peace and oneness as the General Assembly hall reverberated with Sufi songs performed by Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. "Music is a universal language and Sufi music transcends not only physical borders, but also borders of the mind. Tonight, the halls of the General Assembly will resound with the Sufi message of oneness, a message of peace and compassion, of understanding and harmony," US Secretary- General Ban said in his video message to the 'Sufi Night of Peace Concert' organised by Pakistan's Permanent Mission here. Ban quoted Punjabi Sufi poet Bulleh Shah and said "Let us walk the road of peace", adding that "Pakistani Sufi artists have long espoused these values which are so firmly rooted in Islam. Let us all take strength in the power of these bridge- building messages." The Pakistan mission to the UN had organised Khan's concert in the General Assembly hall yesterday on the occasion of Pakistan Day.