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The contribution of Sufis to society: the example of the Karkariya Path
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
و الصلاة و السلام على أشرف المرسلين
و على اله و اصحابه أجمعين
Sufis have historically had many roles within societies. The autonomy of the brotherhoods makes them major actors on different levels. The involvement of the Moroccan Path “Karkariya” in the world and in society makes visible the positive impact a Sufi brotherhood can have.
The first level on which the Karkariya Path acts is spiritual, through the teaching of its Master, Sidi Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari. It is an absolute necessity today, in the face of a strong return of the religious, to have positive, trained and legitimate actors so that people aspiring to practise the Muslim religion in the most saving manner are supported. The brotherhood is a vector of a peaceful vision of Islam, allowing the Muslim to find himself and to perfectly combine the life of a fulfilled believer with that of a positive citizen. It allows everyone, whatever their faith, to know Sufi spirituality and to attain through it a certain personal fulfilment. This spiritual education is necessary for the formation of Muslims and of new converts, to whom the Karkariya Path brings support that is as lasting as it is beneficial.
The Karkariya brotherhood is not meant to close in on itself, but rather to reach out to people of different faiths, as well as to people who claim no religion. Actions in this sense are to be encouraged for a general calming despite differences, and a mutual knowledge leading to fraternity and respect. At a time when increasing tensions are observed within a single country, we must consider every step taken towards the other. It is in this spirit that the Karkariya brotherhood recently forged particular ties with the Christian community of Oujda (Morocco), notably with the members of the Cathedral of Saint-Louis d’Anjou. It was an occasion for the followers of the Karkariya to take part in the Cathedral’s charitable works through donations, and to exchange a few fraternal prayers.
The brotherhood has also been involved for many years in humanitarian giving, locally and even internationally. It takes part in child sponsorship, in donations of school supplies, and in the distribution of water and food in the region of the mother zawiya. It also takes part in the planting of trees in African countries, in the building of wells and in a project to build an orphanage.
The Master, Sidi Mohamed Faouzi Al-Karkari, has himself taken part for many years in blood donations, and he raises his disciples’ awareness of this humanitarian cause. More photos on our Facebook page.
The original organisation of the Karkariya Path is in Morocco, and extends into every country where there are disciples who organise themselves. In Europe there are several associations created for activities relating to the teaching of the Karkariya Path. These activities include intellectual creation through the writing and publication of Sufi works, with the aim of giving the Western public an adapted approach to spirituality. The disciples also devote themselves to spiritual accompaniment and to the production of teachings intended for those with whom they share their life in society. They organise and carry out street outreach rounds, and organise from Europe humanitarian projects to help the most deprived countries. This type of initiative and action is of course not restricted to Europe but is developing all over the world.
Article written by the disciple Amin.