72 religions

Rumi’s love and honor for all religious traditions was not always popular in his day, and often provoked criticism from the more dogmatic.

A story is told that one such public challenge came from a Muslim dignitary, Qonavi, who confronted Rumi before an audience.

“You claim to be at one with 72 religious sects,” said Qonavi, “but the Jews cannot agree with the Christians, and the Christians cannot agree with Muslims. If they cannot agree with each other, how could you agree with them all?”

To this Rumi answered, “Yes, you are right, I agree with you too.”

He he. Hear, hear, teach.

-taken from The Discourses of Rumi.