Spring Break
Islam's Sufism combines art with theology
Omar Sacirbey/Religion News Service
Issue date: 6/10/07 Section: Divine Intervention
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"People in America are renewing their love of God, and Rumi is perhaps the most famous and articulate lover of God," said Valerie Noor.
Karima, who heads the Hawaii-based Mevlevi Order of America, wrote in an e-mail: "Rumi speaks in the language of the heart, which is universal and timeless." Others believe Rumi's appeal is in the accepting and hopeful nature of his poetry.
"Rumi has provided the humanist face of Islam to the West and America," said Louay Safi of the Indianapolis-based Islamic Society of North America. His poems, Safi said, "reflect a larger concern, to have a meaningful life and to pay attention to our spiritual existence.
That's lacking in the U.S., where there is so much emphasis on the material." While many Sufi practitioners recognize Rumi's Islamic background, they also say his works transcend religion.
Jem Williford of Chapel Hill, N.C., who started formally studying Sufism 15 years ago, sees an interfaith component in Rumi's legacy, one he tries to reflect in his life. For example, the annual "Rumi Fest" Williford helps organize in Chapel Hill draws anywhere from 80 to 200 people of all faiths.
"We're trying to replicate something that Rumi did during his life, which was very ecumenical, and bring people together, and tie it all into one place, which is love," Williford said.
Not all Muslims approve of Rumi and Sufism. In Saudi Arabia, Sufis endured various forms of harassment and had to meet in secret until post-Sept. 11 scrutiny on the country's dominant Wahhabi sect forced the Saudis to relax restrictions.
"There has always been tension in Islam between inclusivists and exclusivists," said Ahmad. Some Muslims complain that some Sufi practitioners neglect the central importance of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Karima, the Mevlevi leader in Honolulu, acknowledges a liberal view toward Islam, but says it doesn't diminish Sufis' devotion to God. "Many Sufi schools in the west, like the Mevlevi school, do not push conformity to Islam's Shariah, or rules of conduct," she wrote.
"People in the West love mystery stories and the Masnavi consists of countless interwoven stories that reveal our love of God. The Masnavi illuminates the Quran and other holy books."
Karima, who heads the Hawaii-based Mevlevi Order of America, wrote in an e-mail: "Rumi speaks in the language of the heart, which is universal and timeless." Others believe Rumi's appeal is in the accepting and hopeful nature of his poetry.
"Rumi has provided the humanist face of Islam to the West and America," said Louay Safi of the Indianapolis-based Islamic Society of North America. His poems, Safi said, "reflect a larger concern, to have a meaningful life and to pay attention to our spiritual existence.
That's lacking in the U.S., where there is so much emphasis on the material." While many Sufi practitioners recognize Rumi's Islamic background, they also say his works transcend religion.
Jem Williford of Chapel Hill, N.C., who started formally studying Sufism 15 years ago, sees an interfaith component in Rumi's legacy, one he tries to reflect in his life. For example, the annual "Rumi Fest" Williford helps organize in Chapel Hill draws anywhere from 80 to 200 people of all faiths.
"We're trying to replicate something that Rumi did during his life, which was very ecumenical, and bring people together, and tie it all into one place, which is love," Williford said.
Not all Muslims approve of Rumi and Sufism. In Saudi Arabia, Sufis endured various forms of harassment and had to meet in secret until post-Sept. 11 scrutiny on the country's dominant Wahhabi sect forced the Saudis to relax restrictions.
"There has always been tension in Islam between inclusivists and exclusivists," said Ahmad. Some Muslims complain that some Sufi practitioners neglect the central importance of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Karima, the Mevlevi leader in Honolulu, acknowledges a liberal view toward Islam, but says it doesn't diminish Sufis' devotion to God. "Many Sufi schools in the west, like the Mevlevi school, do not push conformity to Islam's Shariah, or rules of conduct," she wrote.
"People in the West love mystery stories and the Masnavi consists of countless interwoven stories that reveal our love of God. The Masnavi illuminates the Quran and other holy books."
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