THE FORMATION OF SUFISM IN THE WEST, 1910-1933 TRANSCENDENTALISM, THEOSOPHY AND SUFISM

Abstract

This article discusses the evolution of Sufism in the West, where it has moved beyond Muslim communities to attract native Western followers. It highlights how Sufi orders adapt to Western cultural contexts through hybrid, transplanted, and perennial forms. Scholars such as Pnina Werbner and Marcia Hermansen explore how Sufi networks transcend ethnic and political boundaries. The influence of New Age spirituality, neo-Sufism, and key figures like Inayat Khan and Martin Lings is also examined. The universal values of love, tolerance, and unity help Sufism gain popularity in pluralistic Western societies.