Sufi poet Rumi is Islam's smiling face: American scholar

Patna,India: Sufi poet Jalaluddin Rumi, a 13th century mystic, scholar and poet, is Islam's smiling face, noted American scholar Nevit Ergin said here Tuesday.

'Jalaluddin Rumi's message of love, tolerance, devotion and compassion made him the most popular face of Sufi poetry in the Western world. He is Islam's smiling face,' he said.

'At present, when the entire world is going through a difficult phase, Rumi's message assumes significance as it transcends religious identities and denominations,' Ergin, who is in Patna to participate in a two-day seminar on the Sufi poet's works, said.

He said Rumi has influenced Indian philosophers and vice versa. Rumi's verses present a glimpse of monastic doctrines of the Advait philosophy. His philosophy is much closer to Indian tradition than any one religion.

'Rumi's influence can be seen on Indian sufis, Bhakti period poets as well as Allama Iqbal and Rabindranath Tagore,' Ergin added.

He said that oneness of god and unity of mankind have been the central tenets of Rumi's philosophy, which is more relevant in the present global scenario ruled by technology and materialism.

Ergin has translated over 44,000 verses of Rumi's works, popularly known as Divan, and is planning to get the entire 22 volumes published in India.