Haji Syed Salman Chishty, the 26th-generation Gaddi Nashin of the revered Dargah of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty (R.A.) in Ajmer Sharif, India, and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, made a significant appearance at the Canada Literature Festival (CLF) 2026, held from May 13 to May 18 across Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario.
Through a series of interfaith discussions, the Canadian release of the acclaimed book “Seeking the Infinite” by Yakub Mathew, and a special evening dedicated to Sufi poetry and spiritual dialogue, Haji Syed Salman Chishty brought India’s centuries-old Sufi legacy to a global audience while reinforcing the shared values of peace, unity, and interfaith harmony.
The events were attended by H.E. Dinesh K. Patnaik, High Commissioner of India to Canada, and Mahaveer Singhvi, Consul General of India in Toronto, highlighting the growing role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening India-Canada relations.
A major highlight of the festival was the Canadian launch of “Seeking the Infinite: Maha Kumbh 2025”, a multi-faith coffee-table book authored by Yakub Mathew and featuring contributions from more than 50 global thought leaders. The accompanying panel discussion focused on interfaith dialogue, spiritual unity, and humanity’s universal search for meaning before a distinguished gathering of members of the Indian diaspora and international guests in Toronto.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty participated as a featured speaker at the interfaith session titled “A Confluence of Faiths: Seeking the Infinite” held at the Apollo Convention Centre in Mississauga. The session also featured Yakub Mathew, Lama Aria Drolma, Rakesh Kaul, and Harry Mann, with noted Cambridge University scholar Prof. Prabhu Guptara moderating the discussion.
At another key CLF 2026 venue, the prestigious Noel Ryan Theatre in Mississauga, Haji Syed Salman Chishty presented an evening of timeless Sufi poetry and spiritual reflections, offering Canadian audiences a direct experience of the living traditions of the Chishty Sufi Order and its mystical teachings.
Speaking at the event, Haji Syed Salman Chishty said, “The Chishty Sufi tradition has taught for 800 years that unconditional love and service towards creation is the path leading humanity towards the Creator. From the blessed Dargah of Khwaja Gharib Nawaz in Ajmer Sharif to the shores of Lake Ontario, the message remains the same — ‘Love Towards All, Malice Towards None.’”
Author Yakub Mathew remarked, “The Infinite is not a place to reach, but a truth to remember — that within every individual lies a horizon without end. This gathering in Toronto proves that the quest for the Infinite transcends every border.”
H.E. Dinesh K. Patnaik, High Commissioner of India to Canada, stated that platforms such as the Canada Literature Festival demonstrate how interfaith peace and harmony can strengthen bilateral relations. He noted that India’s spiritual and cultural traditions reflect the shared values of pluralism and mutual respect cherished by both India and Canada.
Mahaveer Singhvi, Consul General of India in Toronto, said that interfaith dialogue and spiritual harmony serve as vital pillars of people-to-people diplomacy. He added that the unity witnessed during CLF 2026 reflected the essence of what India-Canada relations aspire to achieve.
Ajaay Modi, Organiser of Canada Literature Festival 2026, said the festival was created to celebrate dialogue and knowledge beyond barriers of race, religion, language, and culture. He noted that CLF 2026 reaffirmed how literature and cultural exchange can become powerful instruments for interfaith peace and global understanding.