Celebrating Rumi--An Interfaith Rock Star
- play show:
Date: 11 October 2007
The Poet Rumi at 800
The Washington Post says "Rumi is hot" as never before. Cities across the globe are holding Rumi festivals. A documentary film called "Rumi Returning" is in production, and the United Nations' cultural arm, UNESCO, has declared 2007 "The International Year of Rumi."
But who is this Rumi? With all this publicity, he sounds like a rock star. And in a sense he is-he's an interfaith "rock star" who reaches across centuries, from his own 13th century to the present day.
We explore why this Sufi mystic is still the world's best-selling poet, 800 years later.
Guests:
Dr. Akbar Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Professor of Islamic Studies, American University
Dr. Mehdi Aminrazavi, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, University of Mary Washington
The Sound of Rumi
Begins at 14:15
For centuries, Rumi's lyrical poetry has been set to music, using traditional instruments like the daf, a large Persian hand drum, the rubab, an ancient stringed instrument from Afghanistan, and the tabla, an Indian hand drum. The poet believed passionately that the meditative power of music could bring one closer to God.
This week we are privileged to have three Rumi-inspired musicians perform live in our studios.
All are from Afghanistan, the country where Rumi was born.
Solaiman Daneshjo (vocals and harmonium)
Zee Farzana (on the tabla)
Mohammed Sadeq (on the rubab)
Evangelicals and Progressives Find a "Third Way"
Begins at 22:58
Say the word "evangelical" in Washington, and people often equate it with "religious right," "the Republican base," or unbending social conservatism.
But a new generation of evangelical leaders, tired of partisan strife, is now reaching out to progressives to find a "third way." Their goal is to create a new path in the thicket of politics, even on divisive social issues like abortion and gay and lesbian rights.
The group held a press conference in Washington, DC on October 10th to issue their joint position paper, "Come Let Us Reason Together." The conference was co-sponsored by the Third Way, a progressive think tank, and Faith in Public Life, a DC-based non-profit.
Featuring:
Dr. David Gushee, Professor of Christian Ethics, McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University
Rachel Laser, Director of the Third Way Culture Project
Rev. Dr. Joel Hunter, Sr. Pastor, Northland Church, Longwood, FL
Dr. Robert P. Jones, Consultant to the Third Way Culture Project
Joe Battaglia, President, Renaissance Communications
Katie Barge, Director of Communication Strategy, Faith in Public Life
Confronting Congress With Hunger
Begins at 36:53
If you happened to be walking the halls of Congress this month, you would surely have seen a man who didn't look like he belonged there. In fact, you might even have stared. But that's OK, he wants you to stare.
His name is Rev. David Duncombe, and at 6 feet, 115 pounds, this retired minister from White Salmon, Washington, is very slowly-and very intentionally-starving himself.
His mission is to help members of Congress understand poverty by putting a living face on hunger. Laura Kwerel spent an afternoon with this unlikely lobbyist to find out more about the cause he is risking his life for.
US Congress to honor the Dalai Lama
Begins at 43:50
On October 17th, His Holiness, The Dalai Lama, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
The spiritual leader of the world's Buddhists is receiving the award in recognition of his advocacy of peace, human rights, and compassion throughout the world. The bill granting him this award passed through Congress with wide bipartisan support.
Guest:
