We've reported on a number of attacks on Sufi shrines by Islamists in various parts of North Africa, where the veneration of saints is widespread but is anathema to Salafis. Here's a useful recent piece at Tunisia Live on the continuing role of Sufi shrines in that country.
Showing posts with label Sufism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sufism. Show all posts
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Mausoleum of Sidi Bou Said Destroyed in Tunisia
The Burned Mausoleum |
Yesterday we learned that a fire, which the authorities believe was arson, destroyed the mausoleum of Sidi Bou Said. Though no official suspects were named and officially it is being branded an attack on the nation's cultural heritage, prominent Sufi shrines across North Africa have come under attack from Salafis who consider the veneration of saints as idolatry, and the more famous the shrine, the likelier it seems to be that it will be targeted. The town, where Sufis gather annually to celebrate the saint, has lost one of its landmarks in what appears to be the latest Salafi assault on Islamic heritage.
And ironically, today marks the second anniversary of President Ben Ali's departure and the success of the Tunisian Revolution.
Sidi Bou Said |
Monday, August 8, 2011
Sufis, Copts, Liberals Plan Big Rally for Secular State on Friday
Seeking to counter the big Islamist rally a week ago last Friday, egypt's influential but formerly political quiescent Sufi orders are planning a big rally Friday in favor of secular state. Subsequently they've been joined by Copts and liberal parties and most recently by the April 6 Movement. They're calling it a Million Man march (as usual), and it will be held in Tahrir Square (where else?).
Labels:
6 April Movement,
Copts,
Egypt,
Sufism
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Headlines You Don't See Everyday: "Chinese Sufis in Yemen"
Following a link to a new blog called Even Unto China, which seems devoted to Chinese and East Asian links to the greater Islamic world, and clearly takes its name from the hadith of the Prophet, Itlib al-‘Ilm hatta al-Sin (Seek Knowledge, even unto China), I was struck by a post — a tantalizing one since it doesn't go into much detail, but includes photos of an old manuscript — carrying as a title four words I don't think I've ever seen together before: "Chinese Sufis in Yemen."
Labels:
blogs and blogging,
China,
Sufism,
Yemen
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