Over the years, the valley has served as a refuge for those in search of solitude, not just Christians, but Sufi Muslims,too.

VOA: standard.2010.08.05

Iran is cited for creating a "threatening atmosphere" for nearly all non-Shi'ite religious groups, notably Baha'is, as well as Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians and Jews.

VOA: standard.2009.10.26

It also includes inflammatory remarks against Sufi Muslims -- a frequent target of militant Sunnis.

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Let us condemn incitement against Sufi Muslims and Shiite pilgrims.

WHITEHOUSE: Remarks by the President to the UN General Assembly

While most Malians are Muslims, the majority belong to the Sufi sect, not the strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam followed by the Ansar Dine and Mujao rebel groups.

BBC: Mali conflict: West African troops to arrive 'in days'