Александр Джумаев: Суфизм и культура Центральной Азии. Часть 1

A new lecture by Tashkent historian and art historian Alexander Djumaev opens a series of programs on Sufism. Sufism (tasawwuf), a mystical movement within Islam, has been known in Central Asia for over a thousand years. Its forms and expressions are diverse. Sufism has developed its own rich written tradition. Its vast spiritual, historical, and cultural heritage is reflected in artistic expression—poetry, architecture, music, and fine art. The close connections between Sufism and creativity are illustrated by the example of a "wandering" Sufi story—the tale of sama' and raqs ("listening" and dance) by Jalaliddin Rumi. Divine illumination and state (wajd, khal)—the sense of God's presence within oneself and in the surrounding world—accompany the Sufi throughout their entire journey of self-improvement. Throughout the history of Sufism, beginning with the Khorasan and Maverannahr schools (9th-11th centuries) and continuing through the activities of Sufi brotherhoods (Naqshbandiyya, Yassaviyya, and others), ideas about the equivalence of various faiths in the ways and means of attaining the one God, the unity of existence, the perfect human being, and many others permeate the history of Sufism. The influence of these ideas on artistic creativity has been significant and multifaceted. They continue to inspire contemporary artists in Central Asian countries—theater directors and artists, poets and composers. Other lectures by Alexander Djumaev, Boris Golender, and Tigran Mkrtychev can be found at http://www.fergananews.com/lecture "Fergana Video Lectures," as well as on a dedicated YouTube channel here:    / kurbanaka  .