Welcome to Rumi Returning

A new documentary, “Rumi Returning,” celebrates the perennial spiritual vision of the 13th Century Sufi poet and mystic as the world commemorates the 800th anniversary of the popular Persian poet. The documentary will be premiered on September 23, 2007, at the Council for a Parliament of the World Religions’ Universal Forum of Cultures in Monterrey, Mexico.

The United Nations has declared this 800th year of Rumi’s birth the “International Year of Rumi.” Born in what is now Afghanistan, Rumi became an Islamic scholar and taught and practiced Islam’s mystic tradition of Sufism. Translations of his romantic and spiritual poems are best sellers in the West.

“You’re seeing the Americanization of Rumi,” says Akbar Ahmed, chair of the Islamic studies department at American University. Conferences and gatherings all over the world celebrate his timeless and relevant message of the unity of all existence. In fact, the Sufi spiritual master inspired the composing of a major symphonic work, which received 9 standing ovations when performed recently at Disney Hall in Los Angeles.

A 3-day conference, September 28-30, at the University of Maryland’s Center for Persian Studies will bring together 20 Rumi scholars. His books of poetry continue to sell thousands of copies each year.

The documentary, “Rumi Returning,” will be released to select venues after its premiere on September 23 and will become available on DVD. For ongoing details, go to www.rumireturning.com.