Rumi’s influence requires an exact study on film

Earlier this week, the idea was floated that the actor Leonardo DiCaprio might star in a forthcoming film based on the life of Jalal Al-Din Rumi, the 13th century mystic, poet and scholar. Much controversy ensued, with many pointing out that Rumi could never be mistaken for a white European as he was from what is now Iran. It’s unclear if DiCaprio is being seriously considered for the role or even if the project is likely to be produced – but it did bring up the issues of “whitewashing” Islamic mysticism, or Sufism, if not Rumi himself.

The opening of the article. The full text is at The National.