IF: Why did you decide to record a CD about Jalaluddin Rumi?
SK: Jalaluddin Rumi was a 13th century Muslim scholar and mystic who became one of the great humanists, philosophers and spiritual luminaries of all times; one whose message has transcended many barriers, including those of religion and time, a thinker who belongs to humanity in its entirety. Rumi is the most read posthumous writer in America, yet very few Muslims tend to read his works. Numerous Americans have embraced Islam through reading Rumi, yet Rumi is rarely referred to among Muslims nowadays. Also, most American bookshops carry numerous translations of his works, yet none of his works seem to be found in Muslim bookstores. So I have been working for some time on making some of Rumi’s thoughts accessible, particularly to Muslim audiences and I thought a CD reflecting on his life and message may be a good introduction.
IF: Why now?
SK: In honor of his 800th birthday, UNESCO designated 2007 as International Rumi Year. I recorded the interview on Dec. 17, 2007, the day of the passing of Rumi in 1273 and whose shrine is in Konya, Turkey.
IF: Why would it be beneficial to get to know Rumi’s work?
SK: Rumi has inspired generations of philosophers, artists, truth-seekers, and virtually everyone who has come in contact with his work. He dealt with issues from this mundane world of desire, labor, and strife, to the highest expressions of love and the most sublime levels of metaphysics and cosmic awareness. Rumi’s wisdom remains the proud heritage of the entire humanity.
IF: How do you respond to those who say that some have misunderstood Rumi and hence may therefore avoid reading him?
SK: No great scholar, thinker or writer has ever been free of criticism or condemnation. To understand Islam is to know Rumi. Rumi was deeply spiritual and brutally honest. He was however deeply inspired by the Qur’an. In an article written by Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr titled "Rumi and the Sufi Tradition," he mentions that one of the greatest living authorities on Rûmî, Hâdî Hâ’irî of Iran, has deduced from research that some 6,000 verses of the ‘Dîwân’ and the ‘Mathnawî’ of Rumi are practically direct translations or direct running commentaries of Qur’ânic verses or Prophetic traditions into Persian poetry."
IF: What is the format of the interview?
SK: I was interviewed by, Marwa Latif, the host of the weekly Afghan TV program,’Dariche Farda’. This program is mostly in Persian, the language of most of Rumi’s writings, and has a world-wide audience. The life, works, influence and tributes to Rumi were covered. Some of his key messages on faith, love, sincerity, the self, dhikr and death are discussed. Quotes in Arabic and Persian are included with a brief running commentary of these selected quotes. The Persian quotes were rendered by Dr Nabil Latief Omarkhil.
IF: Why did you choose to record it in an interview format?
SK: I felt that the interview format would be the most conducive means of conveying information about the life and message of Rumi in an engaging manner.
IF: Where Is the "iRUMInation" CD available?
SK: At Jarir Bookstore in Anaheim.
IF: Are there any more projects of this nature in the pipeline?
SK: Insha’Allah. I am working on another CD on the life and message of Allama Muhammad Iqbal; the 20th century Islamic poet-philosopher, who was considered the Rumi of the 20th century and who wrote mostly in Persian and Urdu. I want to launch these two CDs as a set some time later this year. I believe that Muslims would be greatly enriched by the insights and thoughts of these spiritual masters.
