On Thursday, January 29, 2026, SASI hosted the first lecture of our Interfaith Lecture Series at the Sikh Heritage Museum in Abbotsford. A room full of people gathered for an afternoon with Dr. Asma Qadri, Research Associate at SASI and professor at the University of Punjab in Lahore, who guided us through the life and teachings of Baba Farid, the 13th-century Punjabi Sufi poet whose words continue to inspire spiritual reflection across communities.
Dr. Qadri delivered the lecture in Punjabi, honoring the language in which Baba Farid composed his poetry, while our former director, Dr. Satwinder Bains co-hosted and
provided live translation, mirroring the beauty of Dr. Qadri’s words and ensuring everyone could engage fully with the depth and musicality of the discourse.
The lecture revolved around a two-line verse attributed to Baba Farid, later rendered musically by Najm Hussain Syed. From this verse, Dr. Qadri provided insight on what self-refinement actually means, not the external polish we are so used to chasing, but the internal work of acknowledging flaws, learning from mistakes and continuously working toward clarity in our thought and action. She reflected on the energy we expend beautifying the external world, often at the expense of our inner landscapes, and emphasized how Baba Farid’s teachings invite us to turn inward. She urged the audience to soften their ego to create connection and practice silence as a way to carve space for focus and clarity amidst a world that constantly demands our attention.
The second half brought Baba Farid’s teachings to life through storytelling. Dr. Qadri shared accounts from Sufi tradition, particularly the relationship between Baba Farid and his disciple Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, illustrating Drawing on imagery from nature, she compared spiritual growth to a seed recognizing its bond with the soil, a reminder that true development requires awareness of being part of something larger than oneself.
The Q&A session was lively and reflective, with audience members sharing their own insights and questions. Conversations continued well past the official end time, over chai and cookies, as attendees lingered to discuss what had been shared. 
The series continued on February 19 with a lecture on Langar, a living tradition that brings people together through equality, service and shared humanity. The series is part of the South Asian Folk Heritage Initiative, a project led by Dr. Qadri in collaboration with SASI to preserve and celebrate South Asian folk traditions through public programming, archival recordings and community-based cultural events. The Interfaith Lecture Series explores themes of spirituality, heritage and intercultural understanding.
Click here to view photos from the Baba Farid Lecture on Jan 29, 2026.
Click here to view Dr. Qadri’s presentation slide featuring the verse in multiple languages.
Click here to view photos from the Langar Lecture on Feb 19, 2026.