Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1959-1968, 1990-1999 (Creation)
Extent
3 folder(s), 70 item(s), 143 page(s)
Name of creator
Biographical history
Living in Karachi, Pakistan, Abdul Aziz can be attributed with sparking Merton's first interest in Sufism, an interest later shared with his novices at Gethsemani. Beginning their correspondence in late 1960, Merton and Aziz would exchange books and ideas. Aziz was introduced to Merton's work through Louis Massignon, a mutual friend. An important insight from these letters is Merton's response to Aziz's request for a description of his prayer life.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This is a large and important cache of letters that sparked Merton's interest in Sufism. Included are original signed letters by Aziz, and carbon copies or photocopies of letters by Merton. Only Merton's side of the correspondence has yet been fully published and can be found in <i>The Hidden Ground of Love</i>. Selection from Aziz's side of the correspondence can be found in <i>Merton and Sufism</i>. Also in this group of records can be found correspondence between the Merton Center and Nicholas Heer in regards to obtaining some correspondence between Heer and Aziz. This correspondence dating from 1959 through 1962 is included in this collection.
System of arrangement
Arrangement is chronological, except correspondence between Aziz and Nicholas Heer to be found at the end of the sequence. Records are not divided into Series.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Regulations governing use of the collection can be found here: (‹https://bellarmine.libraryhost.com/index.php/rules›).
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Languages of the material
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
See also Cold War Letters #67 and other correspondence from Merton to Aziz published in «The Hidden Ground of Love» (‹https://bellarmine.on.worldcat.org/search?queryString=no%3A26858207›), pp. 43-67; see also some selections of letters from Aziz in «Merton and Sufism» (‹https://bellarmine.on.worldcat.org/search?queryString=no%3A43724535›; and see also the "Basetti-Sani, Giulio" and the "Massignon, Louis" files.