30th Annual Student Research Conference
A War Within Islam
Robert C. Smith
Dr. William Ashcraft, Faculty Mentor
Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, has been being facing increased levels of persecution in Islamic countries in the past 100 years, compared to prior to that time. One such reason for the persecution, as stated by some of the more conservative Muslims, is that Conservative Islam doesn't view Sufism as being Islam. The general basis for this statement is that Conservative Muslims don't believe that Sufis adhere to all of the practices stated in the Qu'ran. This essay will argue that Sufism is, by definition, Islam. This essay will also look at how the relationship between government and religion in Islamic countries factors into treatment of Sufis.
Keywords: Sufism, Islam
Topic(s):Philosophy & Religion
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 310-4
Location: VH 1224
Time: 1:45