That is the question raised in an article I am cross-posting from the Center for Islamic Pluralism, run by Steven Schwartz, a convert to Sufist Islam-and a true moderate, who opposes radical Islam as well as construction of the mosque at Ground Zero. The article was penned by Imam Irfan al-Alawi of the Hudson Institute of New York.
http://www.islamicpluralism.org/1633/obama-the-ground-zero-mosque-and-the-worlds
Though the main thesis of the article by Imam Irfan Al-Alawi is the perception of President Obama in the Muslim world, the eye catcher, which I have excerpted below, is the question of whether Feisal Abdul Rauf is actually a Sufist-or an imam.
"Media and politicians sympathetic to the concept have acclaimed the "spiritual leader" of the mosque plan, Feisal Abdul Rauf, as a mystical Sufi and moderate cleric, whose admirers refer to him as "imam." But Rauf possesses no recognized standing in the international Sufi network, and no known religious education that would justify him appointing himself an "imam." '
Not only have some in the media made an issue of Rauf being a Sufi, but a couple of my readers/commentators also have, as if to say that proves that Rauf has no ill intentions. Sufism, as I understand it, is a philosophical and mystical interpretation of Islam that arose long after the time of Mohammed and is considered by many mainstream Muslim sects as not being truly Muslim. I have no idea, but my perception of Sufism is that it is a benign form of Islam-for lack of a better word. I use Dr Schwartz as an example (He converted from Judaism.)
It is far from me to decide or claim what Rauf is or isn't, but it raises another in the many mysterious questions that surround this man.
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8 comments:
So a recent convert named Schwarz is an expert on whether Feisal Abdul Rauf is really a Sufi?
If a recent Jewish convert named Rafal Abudulla al-Fahd announced that Rabbi Meir Kahane is not really a Jew, would anyone take him seriously?
Remember, Islam is a religion without a Pope, or Curia, within which any number of scholars and spiritual leaders can issue their own statements, which are binding on nobody. Who is going to certify the certifiers?
It is Mr al-Alawi who raises the question. He wrote the article.
So, someone named al-Alawi relies on someone named Schwarz as his authority? I am a firm believer in debunking stereotypes, but this is getting more and more laughable.
It's the other way around, Siarlys. Schwartz is posting Alawi's article.
What's laughable is the effort to defend Rauf by focussing on a mistaken attribution of the source of the article.
Schwartz has nothing to do with Alawi's views on Rauf.
Come on, Siarlys, bear down and focus.
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Schwarz and Alawi.
Alawi and Schwarz.
Sounds like a law firm.
Neither of them seem to have anything informative to say, except that Rauf has not been properly vetted by the authority that licenses Sufis... because there is none.
Siarlys,
Why don't you check out Schwatrz's website. It is linked here (Center for Islamic Pluralism). He's pretty well-respected and is interviewed often.
"Sounds like a law firm."
Nice footwork! Dazzling!
Siarlys, you are a true master at caviling.
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