By Nasik Elahi
The email from Mirza Ashraf announcing the book signing event of his latest seminal work in Woodstock, N.Y. sounded quite anachronistic; the launch of a book on the work of a mystic, Islamic scholar and poet of the fourteenth century in a rustic town synonymous with rock n’ roll. But I was to learn how appropriate the setting was.
The gathering at the Kleinert /James Performing Arts Center lived up to its billing as a celebration of the timeless message of the holistic humanist poet and philosopher, Jalaluddin Rumi. The event was a labor of love shared by the author, Mirza Iqbal Ashraf and his editor and public presenter, Peter Rogen. Mirza had captured the essence of Rumi — originally imparted to him by his grandfather, a Rumi scholar, with his own study and sensibilities — from the original Persian to English. The translations were brought to life by the recitations of Peter Rogen with a unique feeling and dramatic flourish. The atmospherics were further enhanced by the tasty samplings of hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, pita, baklava and teas. The recital of Rumi’s Persian poetry and music using the traditional musical instruments– nay, tanbor and daf drum — by Amir Vahab provided a fitting climax to the evening.
The appeal of the medieval poet upon a gathering of New Yorkers in the twenty first century was all the more remarkable given the current turmoil and the assassination of the US ambassador in Libya. The Rumi odes to the indomitable human striving for love and unity have universal resonance we will all do well to honor.
A surprise entry of Dr. Nasik Elahi along with his daughter and a young student at the ‘Unique Rumi Concert and my Book-Signing at the Kleinert in Woodstock’ was a great joy of being honored by a scholar member friend of Thinkers’ Forum. His presence made me feel so proud as if the whole Thinkers’ Forum was there where 90% attendees were new to me. Dr. Nasik thank you for being there for me–though these words seem very simple, but they carry with them my heartfelt appreciation. I am attaching here my short speech delivered there to introduce the legendary Mystic Scholar of the World of Islam, Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi, whose Masnavi in its meaning is understood as an appreciation of the Qur’an in Persian.
A Brief Introduction of Rumi: For the last many centuries Rumi has been understood as a mystic poet and a revealer of spiritual secrets. My book “Rumi’s Holistic Humanism” exposes the philosophical and humanistic underpinning of his mystical poetry. It traces Rumi’s quest for evolutionary progression of consciousness from ordinary individual fragmented life to the holistic level where life is complete whole.
The suffering in the world today has turned many people cynical toward moral virtues. In this scenario, the influence of Rumi is increasing among people of diverse beliefs because of the inspiration he can be and the contribution he can make in the revival of the human virtues. Rumi viewed humanity as one sacred body having a soul from one single source that binds human beings together in a string of love. The soul is the only common strand between human beings, irrespective of gender, color, race, or belief. For Rumi, spiritualism is the only medium that connects human beings with each other and with the Creator of mankind. When one gains even tiny amount of love, he forgets about being a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Hindu, or an unbeliever. Love for Rumi is the strongest unifying force in the universe; a force which is present everywhere and in everything. Love is Humanism; love is free from the fear of profit and loss, and he pronounces, “Gamble everything for love if you are a true human being.”
Mirza Iqbal Ashraf
Rumi’s Holistic Humanism, is available on http://www.sunypress.edu, amazon.com and B&N.com.
History never dies except it may become dormant . People like Mirza Iqbal Ashraf are the living example of searching and sharing the depth of Rumi. His efforts are highly commendable. His co sharing with peter Rogen is a unique combination of east and west without any barriers. I wish these two devotees nothing but the best.