I apologize for creating needless strife with my comments on Mawlana Jalaluddin Balkhi. He is part of the heritage of Afghanistan because he was born in Balkh and wrote in one of Afghanistan’s official languages. But he is not an Afghan.

He is part of the cultural heritage of Iran because he wrote in Persian, the national language of Iran and lived in an area often part of Iranian empires. But he is not Iranian.

He is part of the heritage of Turkey because he lived and wrote in Konya, which today is in Turkey. But he is not a Turk.

He is part of the heritage of Islam, because his poems are the products of devotion and faith. He was a Muslim who also wrote, “na musulmanam,” I think saying that his Islam is greater than a personal identity.

He is part of the heritage of the world, because his faith and poetry express the sentiments of humanity at its best, but he is not a rootless cosmopolitan.

Everyone can claim him, but all can claim him in their own way. There is no one right way. Beyond nation, religion, and humanity there is beauty, and beauty can be found in all nations, religions, and human beings.