Cross-Cultural Exchanges between Sufi and Christians

February 19, 2003

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On February 19, 2003 The Atlanta Journal and Constitution reported that "Hasan Dede is the spiritual master of the Contemporary Lovers of Mevlana Society, which he formed in 1989. He leads a group of young Semazen --- more commonly known as whirling dervishes --- who recently journeyed from Istanbul, Turkey, to Atlanta to perform a Sufi concert and Sema ceremony at several venues, Agnes Scott College and Central Congregational United Church of Christ among them... The Rev. Gilbert Friend-Jones, pastor of the 600-member Atlanta church, said the congregation has long been interested in opening dialogue with other faiths. Islamic clergy have been invited to the pulpit, and there have been classes on better understanding Islam."