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- Title
Symptoms of Diaspora: An Evaluation of Sufi Spiritual Diaspora in the Context of the Nation-State.
- Authors
Palmer, Carmelina
- Abstract
Sufis, often referred to as Islamic mystics, have been regarded as the future for peace and stability in a region classified by America and European nations as riddled with conflict. Sufis have existed within Middle Eastern nations in a state of spiritual diaspora, where, due to their relationship with God, they are caught in between politics and spirituality. As a result, Shi'a and Sunni relationships with Sufis have kept them away from the workings of the nationstate, forcing them to exist as minorities in the countries within which they reside. With increased calls for both internal and external reform, such as fair elections and increased minority rights, the diaspora classification holds additional weight. Diaspora is a barrier to being able to engage with the state, as those living within diaspora are not looked at as belonging to the state. This paper will lay out how Sufis are in diaspora, Sufi relationships with Islamic nations and the West, and how Sufis have sought to challenge their place in the nation-state. Sufis seek isolation and independence to reconcile their diaspora, causing the nation-state to remove them from politics. In the end, with both their diaspora and efforts to be recognized ignored, Sufis must go outside of formal political systems in order to engage with the nation-state.
- Subjects
SUFI spiritual life; DIASPORA; NATION-state
- Publication
Hemispheres, 2018, Vol 41, p63
- ISSN
0738-9825
- Publication type
Article