"Little by little, from this world of being & non-being, the non-existent have left & the existent are arriving"

Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi 

The name ‘Hast-o-Neest’ is inspired by a couplet of Jalauddin Rumi illustrating a principle seen in the traditional world-view as underlying all creation – including art – where a gross and ephemeral medium - ‘non-being’ – becomes the locus reflecting or manifesting true ‘Being’.

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At Hast-o-Neest the focus is on the Islamic concept of 'ihsan' i.e. doing things beautifully. In the traditional Islamic world-view 'beauty-jamal' is an aspect of the Creator and is seen as an essential aspect of His creation, by extension it becomes an important aspect of everything one does or creates, including art. 

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VALUES

Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts promotes the research and study of traditional art, and culture. It aims to provide an introduction to and a greater understanding of traditional intellectual thought including sufi doctrine and method, traditional philosophy, metaphysics and cosmology, and 'arts' as calligraphy, miniature and architecture.



At Hast-o-Neest the focus is on the Islamic concept of 'ihsan' i.e. doing things beautifully. In the traditional Islamic world-view 'beauty' is an aspect of the Creator and is seen as an essential aspect of His creation, by extension it becomes an important aspect of everything one does or creates, including Art.

TRADITION OF DIVERSITY

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The primary objective is to engage with, research and explore traditional knowledge, practice and experience in today’s wider context in an atmosphere encouraging reflection and discussion. 



The word ‘tradition’  is not used in the everyday sense of signifying something connected to the past. The word is used in a particular sense, where ‘tradition’ signifies a sacred ‘world-view’ according to which both Nature and Man are seen as having their roots in and as manifestations of a Divine Source.

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AIMS & OBJECTIVES

Hast-o-Neest’s aim is to create an environment of learning where students are able to benefit from a knowledge that is rooted in a 'tradition' and where there is access to such knowledge and its Masters. Knowledge is imparted in a traditional 'informal' manner as well as the current practice of 'formal' classroom learning.

01    OUR BEGINNING

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Hast-o-Neest Centre for Traditional Art & Culture was initiated by Baytunur (Trust) in 2010. The Trust registered in 2006 in Lahore  to promote the understanding of Islamic spirituality or tassawuf through traditional art and thought.

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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

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From 2006 to 2009, Hast-o-Neest activities with support of Iqbal Academy Pakistan, prominent academics, religious scholars and shuyukh - carried out numerous seminars, workshops and discussion groups on the traditional, religious and contemporary discourses in today’s context.



In 2010 Hast-o-Neest Centre for Traditional Art & Culture  carried out its objectives in a rented premise on the Mall. In two years the Centre earned respect and appreciation in providing a forum that promotes discussion and dialogue on our spiritual and intellectual traditions, as well as the traditional arts including calligraphy, architecture, poetry and music.

The demand and need for an institute offering certificate and diploma courses in these disciplines was a natural progression, and Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts replaced the Centre.

THE CENTRES

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Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts is structured and organized in four centres. Each centre carries out the Institute's aims and objectives to engage, research and explore tradition within the specified discipline of studies.

Ibn Muqla Centre of Arts

Ibn Arabi Centre of Philosophy & Metaphysics

Ahmed Mimar Centre of Architecture &

Abu Rayhan Biruni Centre of Languages 



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