Whirling Dervishes of Rumi
By Dialogue International • Sep 18th, 2004 • Category: EventMadison, WI – UW Mills Concert Hall, Humanities Building
Mawlana Jalaladdeen Rumi, or Rumi for short, a spiritual master and poet of the late 13th century, has enjoyed enormous popularity in the U.S. recently. Whirling Dervishes of Rumi from Turkey performed one of the most exquisite ceremonies of spirituality, a mesmerizing seventh-century old ritual, incredible performance featuring beautiful costumes, hypnoticlive music with flutes,string and percussion, and the amazing sight of the Dervishes whirling on the stage. As being a part of world music festival, Whirling Dervishes of Rumi attracted hundreds of citizens of Madison.
The origin and roots of Sufism lie in the life and practices of the Prophet of Islam and the Quran. Sufism espouses a well-founded and thoroughgoing interpretation of Islam, which focuses on love, tolerance, worship of God, community development, and personal development through self-discipline and responsibility. A Sufi’s way of life is to love and be of service to people, deserting the ego or false self and all illusion so that one can reach maturity and perfection, and finally reach Allah, the True, the Real.
Rumi was a devout Muslim and his teaching of peace and tolerance has appealed to men and women of all sects and creeds, and continues to draw followers from all parts of the Muslim and non-Muslim world. As both a teacher and a mystic, his doctrine advocates tolerance, reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love, looking with the same eye on Muslims, Jews, Christians and others alike.
In our days his life and works are a reminder to all that the ‘Clash of Civilizations’ is far from inevitable and they show us how to derive hope, renewal and reconciliation, rather than despair, fear and enmity from our differences. He invites us to call constantly to mind that we are all one, from God we come and to God we will return.
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