Female Whirling Dervishes - Turkey

[traviskk100]

O people of the Scripture (jews and christians):Why do you mix the truth with falsehood and coneal the truth while you know?

[kolraob]

@memepoolshark

I suppose that the real sufis never do that. I think these are professional trading stuff but amateur as sufi.

[jpbshsu]

Contrary to popular belief, the semazen's goal is not to lose consciousness or to fall into a state of ecstasy. Instead, by revolving in harmony with all things in nature -- with the smallest cells and with the stars in the firmament -- the semazen testifies to the existence and the majesty of the Creator, thinks of Him, gives thanks to Him, and prays to Him. In so doing, the semazen confirms the words of the Qur'an (64:1): Whatever is in the skies or on earth invokes God.

[kolraob]

I think sufi performances for tourist must be forbiden.

[chineseguera]

@kolraob I Totally agree.....

[thekillerose]

Umar ibn al-Khattab, a companion of the prophet, said:

"One day we were sitting in the company of Allah's Apostle (peace be upon him) when there appeared before us a man dressed in pure white clothes, his hair extraordinarily black. There were no signs of travel on him. None amongst us recognized him. At last he sat with the Apostle (peace be upon him). He knelt before him placed his palms on his thighs and said: Muhammad, inform me about Islam

[thekillerose]

'Today Sufism is a name without a reality. It was once a reality without a name.'

Abu l-Hasan Fushanji, quoted in Lings, Martin, What is Sufism?, The Islamic Texts Society, 1999, pg 45

[thekillerose]

Sufis could be described as devout Muslims; praying five times a day, giving to charity, fasting etc, they adhere strictly to the outward observance of Islam. But they are distinctive in nurturing theirs and others' spiritual dimension. They are aware that one of the names of the Prophet was Dhikr Allah (Remembrance of God).

[kyyah2]

to all who deride this - there is as much intolerance within islam as there is in christianity - as evidenced here - to pillory someone for loving God in a different way does not serve you

why DO you judge others who love God? have you fear? or doubts? what is it about this that threatens you so much that you have to hurt others?

there is only one and there is nothing that is not God - God makes no mistakes and loves unconditionally - or are you saying that here God has erred?

[nazifdaniel]

i heard 9:36 nur muhammad heheh wahabi consider it heretic

[ademoglu1427]

@cypriot1965

love and tolerance come from the sunna of the last Prophet Muhammed s.a.v :)

this is not the sunna from this person .. my frend

Allah stw jude the humen and the jins from seria and sunna :).. dont forget this ..

[Tyenuj89]

Oh man this is not islam, they are just a bunch of heretic sufis trying to impress the west.

Kinda funny and interesting how people in Turkey highly regard a heretic like mevlana, I really don't understand the world anymore...

[ademoglu1427]

this is not Islam ..

[fairuzi]

In the last part of the interview he said something like "the way of the Gods"

am i missing something here? In Islam we only believe in ONE God.

[kyyah2]

@fairuzi

the only thing you are missing is love for your fellow man who were all created by God, as English is not his first language i think that you have to allow for that - as he also says Islams instead of Islam

there is only one and there is nothing that is not God - from your human perpective you judge all else as imperfect or wrong - God makes no mistakes so how can this be wrong? - or are you saying that God has erred?

[fairuzi]

@kyyah2 well that just bring a misunderstanding to me. hmm... did i mention God makes any mistakes from my previous comment? anyways i didn't try to offend anyone just as a human i may misunderstood :) peace to all!

[henoch66]

Turkey can be proud to have a son who was and is one of the greatest holy man lived ever on this earth. Let there be wisdom in the hearts of the Turks and welcom them in our European community! We need them and their wisom !!!!!!!! !

r

[XxLIVRAxX]

@henoch66 Let them embrace their central asian brothers, wich are of turkish ethnicity and sunni muslim religion, yet somewhat secularized...Turkey has far more things in common with them, and should be a natural leader of central asia, as for Europe. we have a along and rich spiritual and filosophical tradition that has somehow been mistreated, what europe needs lies benneth herself, deep in the heart of our civilization

[mannixisle]

The commentator says that Sufis "aspire to enter an estatic state where they can communicate with God. This direct communication poses the biggest threat to Islamic orthodoxy." This explains why Sufi dervishes are persecuted in Turkey and in Iran. Sufis are mystics who don't need an intermediatory priestly class of immams or mullahs to communicate with God. Mystics have historically also been considered a problem to the orothodox clergy in Christianity and Judiasm.

[JimmyMcCbob]

ALLAH AKB AR

[nasimwarwick]

Sufism is NOT a part of Islam. Its just a artistic performance that some guys from Turkey does. Any form of worship has to be done for the sake of Allah (God) and not to impress the tourists or earn money. Neither the Sunni nor the Shia sect recognises the Sufi as a part of Islam since their is nothing Islamic about the way the Sufis worship. I may seem rude to you guys but Sufism is blasphemous in Islam. We can't consider them as muslims and never will.

[jacks16390]

@nasimwarwick So why exactly is it blasphemous? Is the dance offensive or something?

[funkyfaz55]

@nasimwarwick wait, the guy clearly says 'Bismillah etc The Kalimah. so you have NO RIGHT to call them as Not Muslims.

[Espio872]

@nasimwarwick What's so horrible about them dancing? They love god just as much as the rest of the world's believers. If anything they seem more passionate about it than people like yourself, who seem to be cool with persecuting them, they just want to worship and love with god. They don't need the approval of you nor anybody else to be considered Muslims, they're not hurting anybody, which means they should be left alone. Ignorant and intolerant people need to examine their own conduct first.

[acrol1950]

This speaks to me

[apologiamixer]

Amazing what religions will do for tourist funds. Meccans rally around the Kaaba and try to get the whole world to face it in prayer. What a tourist scam, when God is everywhere not in a black box.

[radyom]

retards

[Merlinreturns]

This is so beautiful. Yes, I was thinking the same thing that there is a feel to it that is like almost like a Buddhist meditation. I think it's important to show this side of Islam as well that shows the deep spirituality inherent in it. Often the side of Islam we see on TV includes those brandishing weapons and screaming for a holy war of some kind. So it is informative to see the many sects of Islam to get the true picture.

[tobesograteful]

Definitely a form of meditation. Did you see how that guy when he stopped whirling he looked totally sober! I wouldn't have been able to stand up after twirling like that!!

[nazifdaniel]

this is zikir how come they make it illigel

[nasimwarwick]

This is neither the religion Islam nor is an Islamic culture. This is blasphemy and never a form of legitimate prayer. There is nothing divine in this tradition, this is just ridiculous. Sufis are not Muslims and will never be.

[yenerbediz]

@nasimwarwick And who are you to judge others? I wish to quote a song that I love, titled 'Holier-Than-Thou,' -the title is also appropriate here in this case,- "Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself."

[nasimwarwick]

@yenerbediz I stand by what I have said and I have the right to be judgemental since Sufism creates a divide among the muslims...Islam is MY religion and it MY duty to protect it from new innovations by man to promote tourism, stage shows etc. Islam is all about devotion and not to impress others like sufism is doing now. Don't talk about things that you donno...find find out about Islam then defend Sufism.

[yenerbediz]

@nasimwarwick Have you ever seen the unadulterated devotion on the face of a 'neyzen,' or the pure commitment of a 'derviş' to 'Râb?' I won't lie to you, I'm an atheist, but that gave even me the goose-bumps... I've read the Quran, I live in Turkey, I saw those 'shows;' I know what I'm talking about.

I agree, you have a right to your opinion, so do I to mine. But what you don't have a right to is branding someone ignorant for his opinions.

Lastly, my reply means 'judgement is a two-way road.'

[7Vails]

@nasimwarwick I think you are being rude. Its fine you find Sufism offensife & I do understand where you are coing from, but it is a reconised religion even if it's tolarated rather than welcomed.& I agree with articale 18.19.&20 in the declaration of human rights,

[wwfpeace]

@nasimwarwick you don't have the right to judge the sufis. you can't understand them.theire only aim is to be close to god.i don't know what kind of muslim you are (sunnit, shiit etc.) but you have to respect the sufis and other kinds of islam as long as they keep the canons the quran.not like the wahabits or this brainsick terrorist cause they are not muslims... and of course there are some sufis who are little bit disputable but hz. mevlana was and is a great ideal for sufis and every muslim.

[nomangodoytokay]

@wwfpeace

nasimwarwick: "Sufism is NOT a part of Islam. Its just a artistic performance that some guys from Turkey does."

??? IDIOT

wwfpeace: "@nasimwarwick, i don't know what kind of muslim you are (sunnit, shiit etc.) ..."

i know what kind a muslim @nasimwarwick is: ISLAMO/ARABIC FASCIST WAHABID !?

[artistdigital]

This is not a sect!! Those who don't understand call Sufism(Tassawaf) a sect!

[davidsiff]

This is fabulous how they have documented the private vs public rituals! It makes sense that they would pray with men/women together, if indivuduals truly experience unity with God.

[TeKenguri]

Everyone is trying to reach god. these people do it by turning.

[SeXyPrinZ]

this dances belong to the aleivs..they also do pray with woman and man together and the woman doesn't wear headscarf,...and many other things that aren't common with sunni islam><

[cCcXCHAOSXcCc]

THANKS!!!

[gasmbay]

@cypriot1965 i hope so too mate. we do need better democracy soon!

[IbaNewAge]

Allah, Allah, Allahu akbar

[uhspianoman]

ozzebru most religious activities are indeed banned in turkey, we all know the truth hurts thts y u can accept this fact. we no u trying to "protect the image of ur country" but the best protection u can give ur country is ur honesty and allegiance, twisting the truth does nothing but hurt the image more

[rwrobp]

I want one of those hats

[jennyamelie]

Even if it is not technically illegal, they may still encounter a lot of prejudice and hostility from those who view their actions as heretical or blasphemous.

The civil rights laws passed in the US made many things that happened in the South illegal in the 1960s, yet those descended from enslaved Africans still had to be very careful.

[xwrathchild09]

It's not illegal in Turkey, ffs. I've noticed that journeymanpictures tend to make a lot of bullshit up. Ruins what would otherwise be a good documentery. Irritating to say the least.

[3choBlast3r]

Journey man loves to hate Turkey .. Most of it's video's about Turkey are anti Turkish, non of his video's takes the slightest interest in showing the Turkish side of the story. In general the video's he uploads are full of negativity, only one side is shown, many times mistranslated (it almost seems like its done on purpose to make Turks look even worse).

[alphaamplitude]

@3choBlast3r True !!! ... dey r causin more conflict between sufi n rest of muslim ... as dey did for shia and sunnis !!! first the iranians now the turks !

[BOGZASV8MA]

@3choBlast3r you are so obsessed about anti turkish people who is paying you to write . like the country gives you a million bucks

[3choBlast3r]

@BOGZASV8MA No one has to pay me for such thing, I'm not obsessed it's people like you who are obsessed with us, I simply reply. I'm proud to be Turk, unlike you "serbian?" fuck faced gypsy, who clearly lives on hate for others instead of love for it's own.

[BOGZASV8MA]

@3choBlast3r i am croatian

[BOGZASV8MA]

@3choBlast3r well from your writing - i could read an ethnic racial insult while demanding other people to like you .as a turk. thats almost like jack the ripper wondering why alot of people are afraid of him in the night time being a serial killer.

[XxLIVRAxX]

@3choBlast3r Perhaps Turks do really need to reconsider some of their attitudes, is not just free bad publicity, there is an element of truth behind that...

[kent45k]

breath taking

[michalchik]

They are not really whirling. Just turning. Whirling implies to me turning so fast things are a blurr.

[karamidancer08]

Thank you so much for the dance demonstration and explaining the deeper meaning that goes along with it. its been a real inspiration for me:]

[gizliliman1]

dont take some whirling money takers for real derwishs.

[Ozzebru]

no religious activity is banned in Turkey...please do not comment on what you do not know at all..yes, Turkey is secular and that's why you can practice whichever religion you want to.

[BahadurAliShah]

Actually Attaturk has forbidden the Sufi orders and it is true that Sufi gatherings are still forbidden.

[bosphorate]

every religious activity is banned in turkey cause turkey is a secular country.

[exultates]

Amazing from Rio de Janeiro

[jajaborduniyay]

Come to my world.

[nessamaine]

wow. this is amazing. thank you for sharing this beautiful video. peace.

[rwsmith29456]

Looks to me like a beautiful and expressive form of worship. Almost akin to Buddhist meditation. I can see how the mysticism would not be for everybody, but what are they hurting? Funny how it's legal that they can whirl for tourists but not for their own religion!?!?

[eugeneedwards]

@rwsmith29456 peaceful worship regards of 'team' tends to be wonderful to watch.



[thekillerose]

@rwsmith29456 lol why do people think that sufisim is completely different sect of Islam? Like the chanting that they are doing, is DHIKR something that the Qur'an has obliged! '...hearts become tranquil through the remembrance of Allah'

Qur'an 13:28

it's just that these people want to whirl. It helps them. lol why not? however meditating was something that the Prophet (saw) did in mount Hira. Our Salah ( 5 time daily paryers) ma'shallah is a meditation of it's own. Only focusing on Allah

[darkiansmith]

@thekillerose I think we are on the same wavelength. What's 'dangerous' about it? Most Christians are reverent by being silent and still, while some of the more "evangelical" types jump, dance and roll on the floor. I could call those people 'dangerous' but they are just different ways of experiencing the same thing. What' is referred to as the 'Holy Spirit' should not only be encompassed by the worship service, but you are expected to live the life and help take care of others as well.

[thekillerose]

@darkiansmith yeah its all fine, as long as they abide by the Qur'an and Sunnah it's fine. and btw, nothing really that they are doing is against it. :) They are not 'harming' anyone or themselves, they are just devoting themselves to God. :)

[thekillerose]

@rwsmith29456 oh and the Salah is very similar to the Buhddist prayer anyway. So i just wanted to say that muslims who are ignorant about Sufi's don't know that. they tend to say that Sufi's had copied many Buhddists and Hindus etc. But the salah, and what the Prophet did is all islam. Sufi only means 'The Wise' 'The Pure' i do the 'sufi' stuff. But i don't consider myself wise lol. Sorry if i'm bothering you, i thought i'd let you know :)

[Yusuf256]

this isn't sufism

[judasgreen]

Recieve by the right upper hand, share with the left. Allah is not a God. Allah is a powerful creater who is limitless, forever, shapless, beyond the time and image. According to Islam only Allah exists. You and me and others, the Earth, Micro and Macro universes

are only exist as a Holographic illusion, or exist as a Data. Universe is an ocean of Data's and Frequencies. Our material world is an illusion of 5 sences. Chanting, Praying increases the brain power, so that your perception increase

[quinbrady]

Even as a commited Atheist I still think that that's a beautiful thought

[TomBrooklyn]

Where can I go to see whirling dirvishes whirl?

Where can I see them in or near NYC, NY, USA?

[lkbrown5]

The Mevlevi exist right in NYC. Look them up on line. I met thoe previous Sheikk years ag. I saw tha samaa at the University of Maryland. Everyone was so moved. The sheikh sensed it and invited the audience to join, and I did.

I hope oneday the Turkish government will realize that this is one of their most important gifts to the world.

[kurtkara]

This is not at all disliked by the "turkish secular elite" - on the contrary: Ataturk visited the shrine of Mevlana 9 times. Whenever he came to the city Konya he would stop by Mevlana Rumi's grave first. He had only high words about the sufi.

[numofan]

While that is true, it's also true that in 1925, Ataturk made the Sufi brotherhoods in Turkey disband - including the Mevlevi. They are only supposed to be performing the dance as a folkloric presentation. It seems to be the dhikr (the actual religious ritual) that is forbidden. (Remember, Turkey is a secular state - Ataturk outlawed the wearing of fezzes and veils, he even forbade sacred music on the radio for some years.)

[wolverinegirl83]

just to clear things up...it is NOT forbidden to chant God's name at gatherings...i dont know where that guy got that idea from

[uzi0808]

why do they bow?

[wolverinegirl83]

its showing submission to God

[uzi0808]

but they are bowing to the musicians, then the audience..how is that submission to God?

[KatariaGujjar]

How is bowing pertinent to Sufism?

[duckmonsterX]

lol yeah. its pretty universal. all over the world its the same. open and closed minds. if the open minds ran the place there would be no wars, just conversations.

[NoToZioFascism]

Agree. Sufi's has problems in their aqidah

[neurogrrl]

Watching this makes me want to do it- they look so peaceful. It's interesting how the "powers that be" whether government or religious, are threatened by mystical religion.

[vollygirl59]

i wanna do that! but im stuck here in SoCal

only going to mosque twice a month....

-_-"

i wanna be more intact with my religion, damnit!

[blast08off]

to vollygirl59

why dont you go back to your God, if you claim that you are Moslem

[vollygirl59]

why dont u go back to second grade to learn how to spell MUSLIM rite?

[cemce777]

Dear OKREDOT!

This is the link between human and god,heart and mind,love and peace.These are the missing parts of radical islam.Quran and sunna give you a key but dont show which door to open;you find it with tariqah.Human has to connect with the divine substance he is coming from(god created human in his own image and blew in him some of his divine soul)

There is no evil,no violance,no intolerance,no immoral here but peace,respect and love!

[OKREDHOT]

this is not islam, it's a turkish deviance of islam estagfirullah

[samanthaspark]

Akin to Buddist meditation.

[sunflowerssunshowers]

Only with dancing! I like that.

[mojave19]

Illegal? I don't think so in Turkey.

[mojave19]

Most Turks are Moslem, but the government is secular, so why would this be "illegal in the eyes of the government"? I think that commentator is full of mustard.

[mojave19]

Oh, ok. Later he says basically that the dance is ok, kind of a touri$t thing, but the sect is illegal. I still don't get it if the government is secular.

[gypsyscholar2]

Actually, this is correct - technically, it's illegal under Turkey's secular (too secular?) laws, as dervish groups were involved in the resistance to Ataturk. But I think that law is rarely imposed today, indeed 'Whirling Dervish' performances are frequently laid on for the public. Of course, there is a difference between a true sema and a performance for gawking tourists.

[MamaLaw66]

The world needs more Sufis. We'd have less terrorism if the narrow minded Muslims accepted these peace loving people.

[remind999]

who that terorist ?

[migueluspa]

makes you wonder how many more various types of offerings or types of prayers are out there.

[metesunshine]

its forbiden only on paper. that guys is not telling the truth.

[paerarru]

Forbidden only on paper is still forbidden.

[metesunshine]

its forbiden only on paper. that guys is not telling the truth.

[Metsada007]

@metesunshine

It is officially forbidden, that means that it id forbidden, which is wrong!

[magdafrida]

This is so beautiful and the dancer looks so peaceful.