A
Ahimsa
Guest
America has lately seen considerable readerly interest in Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, a Persian mystical poet of the 13th century. It is widely reported that Rumi is now the top-selling poet in America, and a check of the Amazon.com Web site shows 110 titles…
Western political and military leaders, both Christian and Jewish, who seek to understand and forge a response to the ``Islamic challenge’’ might greatly benefit from reading [Rumi]. They might gain an inner balance that would assist them in the weighty decisions they are required to make. More important, Rumi’s work would show them the breadth of the Islamic intellect and, above all, the foundation of Muhammad’s prophetic message in reconciliation, kindness and human understanding.
Rumi’s sensibility is centered on the glory of the supreme being and of God’s universe. This tends to be overlooked by his recent, Western fans. Rumi comes to us from an Islamic context that is seldom adequately studied in America. In a culture that seems to prefer viewing Muslims with fear and prejudice, the beautiful, spiritual face of Islam is typically neglected.
Western political and military leaders, both Christian and Jewish, who seek to understand and forge a response to the ``Islamic challenge’’ might greatly benefit from reading [Rumi]. They might gain an inner balance that would assist them in the weighty decisions they are required to make. More important, Rumi’s work would show them the breadth of the Islamic intellect and, above all, the foundation of Muhammad’s prophetic message in reconciliation, kindness and human understanding.
Rumi’s sensibility is centered on the glory of the supreme being and of God’s universe. This tends to be overlooked by his recent, Western fans. Rumi comes to us from an Islamic context that is seldom adequately studied in America. In a culture that seems to prefer viewing Muslims with fear and prejudice, the beautiful, spiritual face of Islam is typically neglected.