Foellinger Auditorium was awhirl with music and pageantry with the performance of the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi Wednesday evening.

The event, co-sponsored by the Intercultural Friendship Foundation and Global Crossroads, intended to advance mutual understanding of people of different cultures, said Ahmet Koc, graduate student and spokesman for the evening's events.

Dr. Valerie Hoffman, associate professor in religious studies, spoke prior to the performance and explained the importance of sufism in the program.

Sufism is a mystical dimension of Islam dating back to the seventh century to the time of the profit Mohammed. Hoffman explained that sufism is not a distinct sect of Islam, but the desire to experience a personal relationship with God distinguishes the sufi.

"Sufism is based on a notion that the human spirit had a relationship with God before it met the flesh," Hoffman said.

The tradition of sufism was founded by the poet Rumi.

"It is important because of Rumi's message of bringing hearts together and it always advocates unification of people of different cultures and origins," Koc said.

Koc said the foundation thought it was important to try and advance mutual understanding of people of different cultures and said the message of Rumi is very much in tune with that idea.

"Once people come and watch this, it may invoke an interest in Rumi," Koc said. "Tonight's event is trying to get people acquainted with Rumi's message to ignore the differences and bring people together."

Koc said Rumi's message appeals to all people. In today's culture with people of many backgrounds, Koc said he believes it is important to provide people with a better understanding of other cultural backgrounds on campus.

"Understanding on this campus can always be better," Koc said. "Everyone should try to strengthen their respect for each other and love for each other."

Jessica Leiding, freshman in LAS, said she was interested in seeing the performance because she and her friends heard it was a "once in a lifetime experience."

"We wanted to experience another culture," she said.

The dancers of the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi traveled to Urbana-Champaign from Konya in Central Turkey.

The 15 Whirling Dervishes originate from the city where Rumi lived and where his tradition continues to be practiced. The performing group was formed in 1995 and has traveled the past several years throughout the world and the United States.

Koc characterized the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi as something different from a dance or a ritual.

"It's more like a traditional practice," he said.

The Whirling Dervishes of Rumi have distinct rituals of moving in circles, Hoffman said. The symbolism of the ritual mirrors the circular movements of the earth, the stars, our very own persons, and the successive types of knowledge we acquire, she said.