By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
4/14/2007

The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi, an Islamic dance troupe from Turkey with an almost 800-year tradition, will perform Thursday at the Brady Theater.

The Order of the Whirling Dervishes originated in the 13th century with the teachings of Jalaluddin Rumi, a philosopher and mystic whose poetry is still popular in the United States.

The dance troupe represents one branch of the Sufi tradition of Islam that focuses on love, tolerance and the worship of God.

Wearing long, flowing robes and tall hats, the Whirling Dervishes twirl to live music played on ancient instruments, a form of worship said to bring them closer to God.

Sponsors of the event are the Raindrop Foundation of Houston and the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue, which has a Tulsa branch.

Omer Akdeniz, who heads the Tulsa Institute of Interfaith Dialogue branch, said the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has declared 2007 as the year of Rumi, in honor of his 800th birthday.

The Whirling Dervishes are touring the United States as part of that observance.

Akdeniz said the Institute of Interfaith Dialogue is bringing the dancers to Tulsa because Rumi's teaching <A and understanding are similar to the purposes and goals of the institute: "to come together with all people, and to respect all religions."

Turkey, which is 98 percent Muslim with a secular government, has been heavily influenced by Sufis, Akdeniz said.

"Islam as practiced in Turkey is close to the Sufi tradition," he said.

Sufis are not different from Muslims in the rest of the Middle East, but focus more on the mystical, with more chanting and other spiritual exercises to get closer to God, he said.

While the Whirling Dervishes' tour in the U.S. gives the appearance of a performance, in Turkey it is seen as a spiritual exercise, Akdeniz said.