By Naveen Prabu
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The teachings of the 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic, Jalaluddin Mohammad Rumi, have not received the recognition they deserve in Malaysia, largely due to a scarcity of translations in Malay, according to Professor Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
Speaking at the "Rumi: Internal and External Peace" event hosted by the KL City Art Gallery and the Iran Cultural Centre here yesterday, Ahmad Murad said that while Rumi is revered in regions like Iran, India, and Turkiye, his influence in Malaysia remains limited.
“Rumi has only become known in the Malay world within the last 15 years, when the ‘Masnavi’ was translated into Malay.
“Otherwise, Rumi is not discussed, deliberated, or celebrated, making his influence slow and challenging to establish in the Malay archipelago,” he said.
The ‘Masnavi’ is a six-book poem by Rumi that explores various aspects of Sufi philosophy and teachings through stories, parables, and moral lessons, delving into topics such as the nature of the self, the relationship between humans and the divine, love, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
Ahmad Murad, who has studied Rumi's works for over four decades, emphasised the need for more translations and discussions on Rumi's works in the Malay language to ensure that his teachings are more accessible to the Malaysian public.
“English readers in Malaysia might have been exposed to Rumi earlier due to the availability of English translations and books on Sufism, such as Idries Shah's popular book in the 1960s, while access to Rumi's works for Malay readers has been limited.
“The first book of Rumi that I found in Malay was published in 1974, but such books have been rare, and only in the last 15 years has the internet made Rumi's materials more accessible,” he said.
He also said that much discourse about Rumi has focused on him as a poet and spiritual master, while his contributions as a scholar are often overlooked.
“Rumi not only produces poetry but also provides guidance on our lives and teaches us how to know, encouraging us to question our values while often using humour and straightforwardness to explain his ideas,” he said.
Additionally, Ahmad Murad recommended Reynold A. Nicholson's work on Rumi's ‘Masnavi’ for anyone interested in learning about Rumi.
Published in eight volumes from 1925 to 1940, it is the first critical Persian edition of the ‘Masnavi’ and the first complete translation into English, known for its accuracy and poetic quality.
The event was also attended by Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Malaysia, Mohammad Reza Baksahraei, Cultural Counsellor of the Iranian Embassy, Dr Habibreza Arzanim, as well as ambassadors from various Islamic countries, members of the intellectual community, Malaysian students, and Iranian expatriates.
--BERNAMA
