Turkish group 'whirls' through

Dance symbolizes love and service

By: Heather Nolan
Staff Writer

Turkish culture came to Baton Rouge Friday night when the Turkish performance group, the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi, visited the Union Theatre.According to the Whirling Dervishes official Web site, they are a part of the Islamic Sufi tradition. Their ritual performances symbolize the values of love and service.

The first part of the program featured a performance by a Sufi band playing Turkish music and reciting poetic chants in Arabic.

Rev. Thomas Lynch, a professor at the Public Administration Institute, said although people may not understand the melodies and words, they still can feel the magic of the performance.

The ritual dance, also known as the Sema, followed the band's performance.

According to the Whirling Dervishes Web site, the Sema consists of four stages called selams, musical movements with distinct rhythms.

Jeff Day, a member of the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue, said the Whirling Dervishes performance was a "feast for the senses."

Day said it gives the local community a sense of anticipation to see something new.

Day said there is a hunger for this kind of religious experience in the Baton Rouge community.

"It is very touching that we are able to be a part of this experience tonight," Day said.

Burak Aksoylu from the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue in Austin, Tex. said bringing the Whirling Dervishes to different parts of the country exposes people to different religious cultures and is a way to help minimize religious intolerance.

"Ignorance is the root of intolerance," Aksoylu said. "Education is the key tool in overcoming our religious differences."

Jehad Mahummoud from the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge said he was very excited to see such a large turnout after the University was closed for two days due to Hurricane Ivan.

"It shows a lot from the community since so many people still came out," Mahummoud said.

Rev. Steve Crump of the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge said cultural events such as the Whirling Dervishes give people a chance to experience other religious customs and lifestyles.

"We need more people to support interfaith work in our region," Crump said.

Lynch said he was very pleased with the turnout and the University community as a whole.

"It is great that they can come together and appreciate culture," Lynch said.

Susan Smolinsky, a member of the Jewish community, said this was her first time experiencing the Whirling Dervishes.

"The performance was wonderful," Smolinsky said.

She said she probably enjoyed the performance so much because it is so different from what she is accustomed to seeing.