How did a 13th century Sufi mystic from Central Asia become the most widely read poet in the United States? Why did UNESCO declare 2007 as "the year of Jalaluddin Rumi"? This "Global Spirit" program brings together two distinguished studio guests from different cultural traditions: Sufi sheikh Kabir Helminski of the Mevlevi Sufi tradition, and Iranian filmmaker and multi-lingual website host Parisa Soultani, who presents portraits of Rumi "lovers" from her "gathering of lovers" project. This program mixes knowledgeable, in-depth conversations with evocative film segments from Turkey, Iran and the USA to explore the depths of Rumi's poetry and teachings. Host Phil Cousineau explores questions such as: What does Rumi's poetry and message have to offer to raising religious tolerance in today's world? What does Rumi's perspective offer to discussions of extremism? What is Rumi's concept of divine Love or "Iskh"? and How is this love similar or different than what other great teachers, such as Jesus taught?