Sufism and Surrealism

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by Adonis

Saqi Books

Due/Published July 2005, 160 pages, paper

ISBN 0863565573

In this remarkable book, Adonis, one of the Arab world's greatest living poets, set forth the peculiar convergence of ideas running through Sufism and Surrealism. While at first appearing to be in polar opposition, convincing parallels are drawn between these religious and aesthetic/atheistic movements. Adonis contests that atheism does not necessarily imply a rejection of Sufism, just as Sufism does not necessarily imply a belief in a traditional religion or faith. Both are related to the metaphysical, and both seek to say what has not been said, to know what has not been known.