New Delhi (PTI): Crediting tolerance and respect for diversity in sustaining the country's civilisation over centuries, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has lauded Sufism for its positive role and contribution to society.

Speaking at a function organised on Monday to release a biannual journal on Sufis and Rishis of Kashmir, Manmohan Singh said, "I think tolerance is what has sustained our civilisation and Sufism is a supplanted manifestation of that commitment to tolerance, respect for diversity."

Singh said that it was tolerance and diversity that had helped the civilisation for thousands and thousands of years and that it still survives several onslaughts.

He praised former union minister Karan Singh, filmmaker Muzzafar Ali and Saiyyada Imam for their contribution to Sufism.