The dervishes of the north : Rumi, whirling, and the making of Sufism in Canada

__The Dervishes of the North__ traces the legacy of the thirteenth-century Muslim mystic and poet, Jalal al-Din Rumi, and examines contemporary Sufism in Canada. "The thirteenth-century Muslim mystic and poet Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207-73) is a popular spiritual icon. His legacy is sustained within the mystical and religious practice of Sufism, particularly through renditions of his poetry, music, and the meditation practice of whirling. In Canada, practices associated with Rumi have become ubiquitous in public spaces, such as museums, art galleries, and theatre halls, just as they continue to inform sacred ritual amongst Sufi communities. The Dervishes of the North explores what practices associated with Rumi in public and private spaces tell us about Sufism and spirituality, such as sacred, cultural, and artistic expressions in the Canadian context. Using Rumi and contemporary expressions of poetry and whirling associated with him, the book captures the lived reality of Sufism through an ethnographic study of communities in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Drawing from conversations with Sufi leaders, whirling dervishes, and poets, Merin Shobhana Xavier explores how Sufism is constructed in Canada, particularly at the nexus of Islamic mysticism, Muslim diaspora, spiritual commodity, popular culture, and universal spirituality. Inviting readers with an interest in religion and spirituality, The Dervishes of the North illuminates how non-European Christian traditions, like Islam and Sufism, have informed the religious and spiritual terrain of Canada."-- Provided by publisher

The thirteenth-century Muslim mystic and poet Jalal al-Din Rumi(1207-1273) is a popular spiritual icon. His legacy is sustainedwithin the mystical and religious practice of Sufism, particularlythrough renditions of his poetry, music, and the meditationpractice of whirling. In Canada, practices associated with Rumihave become ubiquitous in public spaces, such as museums, artgalleries, and theatre halls, just as they continue to informsacred ritual among Sufi communities.

The Dervishes of the North explores what practicesassociated with Rumi in public and private spaces tell us aboutSufism and spirituality, including sacred, cultural, and artisticexpressions in the Canadian context. Using Rumi and contemporaryexpressions of poetry and whirling associated with him, the bookcaptures the lived reality of Sufism through an ethnographic studyof communities in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Drawing from conversations with Sufi leaders, whirlingdervishes, and poets, Merin Shobhana Xavier explores how Sufism isconstructed in Canada, particularly at the nexus of Islamicmysticism, Muslim diaspora, spiritual commodity, popular culture,and universal spirituality. Inviting readers with an interest inreligion and spirituality, The Dervishes of the Northilluminates how non-European Christian traditions, like Islam andSufism, have informed the religious and spiritual terrain ofCanada.

Contents Acknowledgments Note on Transliteration Introduction Chapter One. Situating the Study of Sufism in Canada Chapter Two. Early Sufi Communities in Canada Chapter Three. Sama, Shab-i arus, and Rituals of Remembrance Chapter Four. The Politics of Consuming Rumi Chapter Five. Gender Dynamics in Sufi Rituals, Praxis, and Authority Epilogue Notes Bibliography Index