ABSTRACT
The study of “American Muslims” or even “North American Muslims” has either conceptually conflated the United States and Canada or focused exclusively on the United States. In such conflation, important historical, cultural, political, social and religious differences and divergences are collapsed in the interest of unified but not necessarily productively comparative analysis. The very diversity of such practices raises questions about authenticity and adaptation, both concepts that require a notion of Sufism (and of America) to be authenticated and/or adapted to. Many tariqas and other Sufi organizations operate dedicated websites, including some where one can be initiated online. Others limit their web presence to informational or inspirational sites that offer different levels of Sufi knowledge and discourse but require communal connection and practice in person. This chapter paints a picture of Sufism in North America. People make an appearance, some in groups and some as noteworthy individuals, and there are places, structures, practices, ideas, and concepts.
