Alberto Ambrosio: Divine Love in Sufi & Christian Contemplation - with Amir Vahab

A Dominican monk in Istanbul, Turkey and a leading scholar on the rapport between Sufi and Christian mystics, Fr. Alberto Ambrosio led us to explore the world he experiences at the permeable boundary of Sufi and Christian contemplation. Growing up in his native Italy, at 18 he had a powerful experience of the Love of God that would mark his life: his monastic vocation and scholarship. After writing a distinguished introduction to Islam in Italian, he was called to the Vatican to teach on Love from Christian and Sufi perspectives. Questioning at moments whether he is Catholic or Sufi, he says, “It’s all about Divine Love.”

Alberto was joined by an esteemed musician and teacher in the Sufi tradition, Amir Vahab, to enhance our experience of Sufi practices such as the (pronounced in the west) and the role of music in these practices, as well as dialogue. Amir Vahab is honored as a peacemaker and virtuoso, and he is one of New York’s most celebrated and distinguished composer/vocalists of Sufi and folk music.