CONFERENCE
"SUFISM"
by REV. PROF. KLAUS OTTE
Date :
Thursday, May 3, 7:00 pm
On Thursday May 3, 2007, Dr. Klaus
Otte, a renowned authority on religion and culture, gave a
conference regarding Sufism. The conference touched upon many
aspects of Sufism, ranging from the universality of Rumi’s message
to the effects of Sufism on everyday life. During his discussion of
Rumi, Professor Otte spoke of themes central to Rumi’s works, such
as unity, universality, and love. He also referenced the influence
Sufism continues to have this day, transcending borders to encompass
people of all nations and ethnicities. The conference was followed
by a question/answer session with the audience and a reception.
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Who is Rev.
Prof. Klaus Otte?
Born in 1935 in Wuppertal,
Germany. Professor Otte enjoys the combination of being a
professor in Systematic Theology in different universities
and at the same time been a minister in a local church. This
has given him a deeper inside and wider experience. |
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He studied Philosophy and Theology
in Wuppertal-Barmen, Heidelburg, Bonn and Basel. He was then
ordained as a minister in the Reformed Church, while he was an
Assistant Professor in the University of Basel. During this time he
was the assistant of Keiji Nishitani who was a Zen-master from
Kyoto, Japan.
After several experiences in pastoral work he was the minister of
Mehren, Germany. Professor Otte taught in Beirut, Lebanon Systematic
Theology, then in Kyoto and Osaka, where he became a professor for
culture and theology. He then became a special professor in Basel,
Mainz and Frankfurt. His subject was the Ontology of Universal
Religion. He is always trying to bring his cultural and theological
knowledge and experiences into the reality of the church.
Dr. Otte has many publications and is considered a world authority
on religion and culture. The President of Germany awarded him in
1999 in Berlin with a special medal of honour medal for his
distinguish work and his services in the church and society.
click for more pictures of the conference..
