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Though the concepts of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity have gained momentum in recent years, a Muslim scholar and poet in the 13th century was already imparting these teachings and values to the world.  

His name was Mulana Jalal Ud Din Rumi. He taught his followers tolerance, goodness, charity, reasoning and awareness through love and respect for all humankind. Rumi believed that to attain true peace, it was crucial to celebrate the diversity of different cultures and religions, and to strive to become a humble person who was open to new experiences. His beliefs, known as Sufism, focused on love, tolerance and worship of God, community development and personal development through self-discipline and responsibility. He taught his followers that a Sufi’s way of life was to love and be of service to people. 

Being a Muslim and a person who believes in Sufism, I have come to realize that to be a good Muslim, I need to become a good person first, and I have tried to follow this creed all my life. I have tried not to judge others, knowing full well that I am not a perfect being and the only way I can become a better person is to learn from others and be open to new interpretations. I have started looking within and have tried to overcome my shortcomings. I began to pause before making snap decisions and thought long and hard about the consequences of my actions and words. 

I have come to realize that to be a good Muslim, I need to become a good person first, and I have tried to follow this creed all my life. Click To Tweet

When I was enrolled at Georgetown University, fellow classmate of mine asked me to help him out with an assignment. As we were working on the assignment together, he stopped me and said “Sehr, we are becoming good friends but I just want to let you know that I am gay and would understand if you would not want to be my friend since you are a Muslim. Many people have stopped being my friend because of their belief that it’s wrong to be friends with someone like me.” I remember feeling shocked and angry when I heard how he was treated by those who he considered his friends. I told him that it doesn’t matter who he liked, I will not just tolerate, but accept and embrace him in my life. I would be his friend and treat him with respect. 

During my three–year stay in the United States, I embraced Sufism and made friends from diverse backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and so on. I truly believe that the teachings of Sufism can help create a more inclusive world where people are treated with love and respect and are not judged so callously. It’s a world worth fighting for. 

I truly believe that the teachings of Sufism can help create a more inclusive world where people are treated with love and respect and are not judged so callously. It’s a world worth fighting for. Click To Tweet

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” – Rumi