Professor Carl W. Ernst of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, a world-renowned scholar of Islam and Sufism, delivered a lecture on “Sufism, Islam, and Globalization in the Contemporary World: Methodological Reflections on a Changing Field of Study”  on August 7, 2014  organized by K. A. Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies, Aligarh Muslim University.

Speaking on Sufism as a spiritual path based on ethical truths that transcend culture and politics, he said that Sufi communities in the contemporary world are dynamic movements embracing the cultures of the people attracted to their spiritual teachings.

Prof. Ernst said that the study of Sufism is an extremely important field in the United States. He pointed out that translations of Maulvi Jalaluddin Rumi's poetry preaching love and Wahadat al-Wujud (Unity of Being) are bestsellers in the West including the United States. He further said that Sufi music has become a phenomenon in the music world with a new audience beyond its traditional listeners.

He said that orientalism has played an important role in introducing Sufism to the Western world. Indian Sufis Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya and Baba Ganj Shakar are important figures in promoting and popularising Sufism in the Indian subcontinent.

Delivering the presidential remarks, AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. General (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah said that Sufism has deep roots in India and Khwaja Moin Uddin Chishti's Shrine in Ajmer is a symbol of Chishti Sufism in India. He said that Sufism is the most tolerant face of Islam and study of Sufism is a great strategic need of the society.

Brigadier S. Ahmad Ali, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University mentioned Sufism as a rapidly expanding phenomenon worldwide. He said that Sufism is based on Quran, Hadis and the practices of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

In his welcome address, Prof Ahtisham A. Nizami, Director KA Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies said that Prof. Carl Ernst spent two years at AMU with Prof. K. A. Nizami after whom the Centre for Qur'anic Studies is named. He said that Prof. Ernst has written extensively on subjects ranging from comparative study of religions and Islam and Sufism to contemporary political movements. He and Bruce Lawrence are co-editors of "The Islamic Civilization and Muslim Networks" University of North Carolina Press.

Prof. F. S. Shirani conducted the programme and proposed vote of thanks.