Private Story
Gamia al Daghistani
Gamia al-Daghistani / Al-Daghistani mosque
Syria, Damascus 2009
Over the centuries, Damascus has developed into one of the most important centers of Sufism and still plays an important spiritual, religious and social role within the composite Damascene society. Sham al-Sharif, city of the prophets, the Syrian capital is considered the fourth holy city of Islam. Abraham was born in a small village on the outskirts of Damascus, in the mountains surrounding it the tragedy of Cain and Abel took place, and the hill of Rabwah gave shelter to Jesus and Mary. From time immemorial Mount Qasyun has been a destination for the spiritual retreats of the prophets. On its slopes Sufi brotherhoods (sufiyyah) have established their schools, continuing the prophetic tradition of ascetic retreats. We had the opportunity to attend several Sufi ceremonies celebrated in the al-Daghistani mosque, one of the most active in the social field as well, through which it becomes apparent what makes Sufism one of the most attractive religious movements for new converts to Islam.
The Photoreportage is completed by two interviews one with The Muezzin Ibrahim Bai'raq Dar, in charge of the rites, which entertained me in pleasant conversation during the preparation of the soup kitchen.
Abstract second interview: A meeting with Shaykh Abd al-Hafidh Wentzel, Shaykh of the Naqshbandi brotherhood. Converted to Islam at the age of 25, after embarking on a long journey, he elected Damascus as his residence because of its religious and cultural tradition and its tolerance toward denominations and peoples.
"On the evening I attended the first Sufi ceremony, I was attracted by the appearance of the shaykhs present. Intrigued, I approached and we began to converse about the history of the mosque and the neighborhood. Thus I learned about the extraordinary life of Shaykh Abd al-Hafidh Wentzel. Having converted to Islam 30 years ago, like many other people seeking inner peace and closeness with the divine, he elected, as his residence, the Syrian capital, which is famous for its religious and cultural tradition and its tolerance toward denominations and peoples"
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