Diverse students gather to explore, understand mystery of Sufism

Monday, March 10, 1997

RELIGION:

MSA invites Sufi Archuletta to speak regarding misconceptions
about IslamBy Hector Ronquillo

Daily Bruin Contributor

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) unveiled the mysteries that
surround Sufism Thursday night in an attempt to shed some light on
this often misunderstood aspect of Islam.

Muslim activist and Sufi Hakim Archuletta was invited by MSA to
educate Muslim and non-Muslims alike about Sufism, an aspect of the
religion that is causing much debate within the Muslim community
and the secular world.

"Sufism is the science of purifying the heart and having a
stronger sense for what is Islam," Archuletta said to the
ethnically and religiously diverse crowd. "A Sufi practices Islam
with their heart and studies how Islam effects the soul of a
person."

MSA chose to hold the event to expose students to Sufism and
dispel any misunderstandings that the public may have.

These misconceptions are fed by ignorance of traditional Sufism
and its role within Islam, MSA members said.

"Our goal is to clear up any wrong beliefs that people have
about Sufism," said Omar Mahmood, a third-year psychobiology
student, and communication director of MSA. "We wanted to provide
the opportunity for a traditional Sufi to explain what traditional
Sufism means to Islam."

Many people who become familiar with Islam are often confused by
the role that Sufism plays within the lives of Muslims.

According to many Muslims, Sufis are perceived as mystical
people, serve as role models to the Muslim community and are
spiritual masters who are blessed with divine love for all
creatures, a feeling they want to share with everyone they come
into contact with.

"The spirituality of Sufism and the tremendous impact it has on
Islam is an aspect that attracts many people towards becoming
Muslim," said Ben Wong, a third-year microbiology and molecular
genetics student and MSA president.

Through their strong desire to educate people and their zeal for
helping those who are less fortunate, Sufis are enabling other
Muslims to understand the importance of using their skills and
knowledge for the benefit of others, Archuletta said.

But he and other Muslim activists are concerned with some who
are redefining Sufism to fit their own personal needs, robbing the
aspect of its traditional meaning and value.

"Sufism has been corrupted by people who want to take its basic
principles and combine it with Western culture," Archuletta
said.

To fight such ideas, Archuletta often speaks at small
demonstrations and round-table discussions on traditional
Sufism.

Archuletta, who resides in New Mexico, has also been active for
13 years counseling individuals new to Islam. His goal is to
provide direction to those who are overwhelmed with the broadness
and diversity of the religion, he said.

This debate of traditional versus contemporary Sufism is one
which leads to a plethora of ideas and opinions about the true
meaning of the mystics, he said.

These conflicting beliefs prompted MSA to tackle the issue in a
forum that allowed for various voices to be heard and to establish
a discussion in which the traditional values of Sufism could be
reexamined.

Realizing that his audience consisted of both Muslims and
non-Muslims, Archuletta focused his lecture on the mystical aspect
of Islam and the spiritual force that drives one toward a better
understanding of Islam.

"Traditional Sufism is an integral part of Islam," said Jannah
Dacanay, a second year English student. "(Archuletta) spoke about
more than just ideas and theories, he also spoke about historical
figures whose practice of Sufism helped keep traditional Islam
alive."