Vision

Little by little, from this world of being & non-being
The non-existent have left & the existent are arriving...Maulana 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’. At Hast-o-Neest, the overall guiding principle is Beauty, jamal. 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.


The word ‘tradition’ in the context of Hast-o-Neest’s activities and objectives 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. The word 'tradition' is therefore used to signify such cultures whose foundations are based on Principles and Truths of Divine Origin which are then applied over time to various domains from metaphysics and cosmology to art and science.

Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts is initiated by Baytunur (Trust) for the research, study and promotion of traditional art, and culture. It aims to provide an introduction to and a greater understanding of traditional wisdom including sufi doctrine and method, traditional philosophy, metaphysics and cosmology, and allied arts as calligraphy and architecture.


The primary objective is to engage with, research and explore traditional knowledge, practice and experience in today’s wider context in an open atmosphere that encourages reflection, and discussion; to create an environment of learning where students are able to benefit from a knowledge that is rooted in a 'tradition'. Hast-o-Neest is a space where there is access to such knowledge and its Masters – as they are traditionally known: ‘Ustad’ or ‘Shaykh’. 

The end product is an art, craft that manifests the guiding principle of Jamal, and an etiquette of interaction and approach that is derived from a traditional thought process.

The Trust Fund: 

The Trust Fund constitutes regular donations of Trustees and income from the Trust's projects. The Trust does not own any property and its head office is generously provided by a trustee’s own professional office. In 2012 with the formation of the Hast-o-Neest Institute of Traditional Studies & Arts, the Trust accepts additional support through donations, and fund-raising activities and support in terms of furniture, equipment, administrative support etc. is also included.


Supporting Friends: 

M/s Murree Brewery, Rawalpindi

M/s Kohinoor Weaving Mills Ltd, Lahore

M/s House of Maheen, Karachi

M/s Monica Couture, Lahore

M/s Shan Foods (Pvt) Ltd., Karachi 

M/s Kamil Khan Mumtaz Architects, Lahore 

Iqbal Academy Pakistan, Lahore 

Dabestan-e-Iqbal, Lahore 


Mr. Khalid Saigol 

Mr. Mazhar Farid
Mr. Shahid Qadeer Mirza (late)

Mr. Ali Habib

Mr. Riaz Kamlani