The Islamic Institute in Mannheim , Germany , which works towards the integration of Europe and Muslims , sees Sufism as particularly suited for interreligious dialogue and intercultural harmonisation in democratic and pluralist societies ; it has described Sufism as a symbol of tolerance and humanism — nondogmatic , flexible and non-violent . According to Philip Jenkins , a Professor at Baylor University , " the Sufis are much more than tactical allies for the West : they are , potentially , the greatest hope for pluralism and democracy within Muslim nations . " Likewise , several governments and organisations have advocated the promotion of Sufism as a means of combating intolerant and violent strains of Islam . For example , the Chinese and Russian governments openly favor Sufism as the best means of protecting against Islamist subversion . The British government , especially following the 7 July 2005 London bombings , has favoured Sufi groups in its battle against Muslim extremist currents . The influential RAND Corporation , an American think-tank , issued a major report titled " Building Moderate Muslim Networks , " which urged the US government to form links with and bolster Muslim groups that opposed Islamist extremism . The report stressed the Sufi role as moderate traditionalists open to change , and thus as allies against violence . News organisations such as the BBC , Economist and Boston Globe have also seen Sufism as a means to deal with violent Muslim extremists
7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
Sufism