By Robyn Doolittle - The Toronto Star - Canada
Monday, June 5, 2006
Wahhabis have a profoundly different view of Islam from, say, Sufis. Wahhabis are at the centre of political Islam, while Sufis don't believe in mixing religion with politics.
Sufis are a moderate, mystic division of the Muslim faith, often linked to meditation and spiritual enlightenment. Wahhabism — a much more conservative branch — is often associated with the extremist, fundamentalist Muslims. Although, as explained in the book The Wahhabi Myth, Wahhabis do not support terrorist acts.
"Wahhabism portrays a very barren view of our faith. It denies all the classical aspects of our faith, music, dance, architecture," said Tarek Fatah of the Muslim Canadian Congress. "Wahhabis go out of their way to exclude people, even Muslims. They would have nothing to do with Shiites for example. They are also not allowed to celebrate the Prophet's birthday and would exclude (those who do)."
In contrast, Sufism is more inclusive, he explained.
"Sufism is a celebration of every aspect of Muslim culture.... If people, of any faith, want to come celebrate the faith with us ... we welcome you," Fatah said.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
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Sunday, November 05, 2006
A `barren view' of Islam
By Robyn Doolittle - The Toronto Star - Canada
Monday, June 5, 2006
Wahhabis have a profoundly different view of Islam from, say, Sufis. Wahhabis are at the centre of political Islam, while Sufis don't believe in mixing religion with politics.
Sufis are a moderate, mystic division of the Muslim faith, often linked to meditation and spiritual enlightenment. Wahhabism — a much more conservative branch — is often associated with the extremist, fundamentalist Muslims. Although, as explained in the book The Wahhabi Myth, Wahhabis do not support terrorist acts.
"Wahhabism portrays a very barren view of our faith. It denies all the classical aspects of our faith, music, dance, architecture," said Tarek Fatah of the Muslim Canadian Congress. "Wahhabis go out of their way to exclude people, even Muslims. They would have nothing to do with Shiites for example. They are also not allowed to celebrate the Prophet's birthday and would exclude (those who do)."
In contrast, Sufism is more inclusive, he explained.
"Sufism is a celebration of every aspect of Muslim culture.... If people, of any faith, want to come celebrate the faith with us ... we welcome you," Fatah said.
Monday, June 5, 2006
Wahhabis have a profoundly different view of Islam from, say, Sufis. Wahhabis are at the centre of political Islam, while Sufis don't believe in mixing religion with politics.
Sufis are a moderate, mystic division of the Muslim faith, often linked to meditation and spiritual enlightenment. Wahhabism — a much more conservative branch — is often associated with the extremist, fundamentalist Muslims. Although, as explained in the book The Wahhabi Myth, Wahhabis do not support terrorist acts.
"Wahhabism portrays a very barren view of our faith. It denies all the classical aspects of our faith, music, dance, architecture," said Tarek Fatah of the Muslim Canadian Congress. "Wahhabis go out of their way to exclude people, even Muslims. They would have nothing to do with Shiites for example. They are also not allowed to celebrate the Prophet's birthday and would exclude (those who do)."
In contrast, Sufism is more inclusive, he explained.
"Sufism is a celebration of every aspect of Muslim culture.... If people, of any faith, want to come celebrate the faith with us ... we welcome you," Fatah said.
1 comment:
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Anonymous said...
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What a pleasent surprise to see my comments reproduced on your blog over a year after they were reported in the Toronto Star.
Thanks
Tarek Fatah -
7:02 AM
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1 comment:
What a pleasent surprise to see my comments reproduced on your blog over a year after they were reported in the Toronto Star.
Thanks
Tarek Fatah
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