Sufi Lectures and Music

We're looking forward to the Sufi music concert at the Islamic Art Museum (http://www.islamicart.co.il/en/). Friday's tour and lecture was part of the preparation. Photographer Harel Stanton showed us photographs of a low-key Sufi festival in Konya, Turkey, where the poet known as Rumi was invited to make his home. I liked Stanton's approach. He asks permission to photograph each subject, and offers them opportunities to take his picture. Thus he was able to capture one intimate meeting of Sufi believers -- or perhaps practitioners is a better word. The more public festival, in a basketball stadium, showcased traditional whirling dancers finding their way to God, but the people who gathered in a small room for music, dance, and sharing simple food were more appealing and almost understandable.

Stanton's pictures of Petra had no connection to Sufis or their music. They were just magnificent. We are now busy trying to find a suitable tour to Petra.

Copyright 2014 Jane S. Fox