Americans tend to ask many questions about Islamic Law and very few about Islamic philosophy, poetry, art, or music. This episode introduces an Islamic tradition called Sufism, which most Americans have never heard of. The episode begins with a historical look at the foundations of this movement in Baghdad, briefly traces the rise of Sufi philosophy and poetry, and examines the growth of Sufi teaching lineages and ritual practices. As you watch this episode, ask yourself why so few Americans have heard of a tradition this widespread and influential. What sources provide and shape our knowledge about Islam?
Presented by Ariela Marcus-Sells, Religious Studies.
About the Perspectives on Islam series:
Recent polls indicate that most Americans have very limited information about Islam and that most do not personally know a Muslim. This series aims to provide information about Islam from a scholarly perceptive as well as present the perspectives and voices of Muslims from Elon’s own community. The goals of this series are: 1) to increase public knowledge about issues relating to Islam; and 2) to encourage people to think more deeply about issues common to all religious traditions and societies. Each episode answers some common questions and concerned and then raises other questions that are left unanswered. We hope that instructors will use these open questions to encourage debate, dialogue, and questioning.
References and Additional Resources:
Muslims around the world, 2012: http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-muslim/
Muslim population projections, 2015: http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/muslims/
Survey of Muslims in the US, 2017: http://www.pewforum.org/2017/07/26/findings-from-pew-research-centers-2017-survey-of-us-muslims/
Uploaded by Ted Morée 2017-12-20
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