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Imagining Sufism in America: Exploring Diversity and Authenticity in Sufi Orders
Abstract
This panel abstract delves into a novel exploration of Sufi studies, focusing on Sufi orders and movements in the United States. The research critically evaluates the burgeoning academic inquiries within this relatively nascent research domain. Scholars and practitioners alike have observed a discrepancy between the abundance of studies on individual Sufi orders or movements and the scarcity of comprehensive examinations on Sufism in the United States. The emergence of scholarly interest in this subject began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with notable contributions from Western researchers such as Marcia Hermansen, Mark Sedgwick, Olav Hammer, and William Rory Dickson, whose academic works offer diverse perspectives on Sufi formations in America. Drawing upon these scholarly contributions, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Sufi movements in America, emphasizing the remarkable diversity in Islamic orientation and Sufi practices observed within these groups—an aspect of Sufism unparalleled elsewhere in the world. Despite self-identifying as “Sufi,” these groups elicit varying assessments regarding their authenticity from Western scholars. By encompassing a broad spectrum of academic discourse on Sufi groups in America, this study seeks to transcend singular focus on individual Sufi entities. It endeavors to illuminate the breadth of Sufi movements in America and the nuanced perspectives of Western scholars therein. Moreover, the inclusion of insights from scholars both within and outside the United States and Europe enriches the discourse, highlighting global interest and contributions to the study of Sufism in America. Guided by these interdisciplinary sources, the analysis within this panel will be structured around two primary themes: firstly, the categorization and defining characteristics of Sufi groups in America, and secondly, the evaluations and arguments posited by researchers regarding the authenticity of these groups. Through imaginative exploration and rigorous analysis, this panel aims to provide fresh insights into the dynamic landscape of Sufism in the United States.
Discipline
Religious Studies/Theology
Geographic Area
Islamic World
North America
Sub Area
None