Mawlid 2016 – Festival of Humanity

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful. May peace and prayer be upon the Prophet, his family and those who follow him.

Every year, during the month of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, a month of the Hijri (lunar) calendar, a very important commemoration takes place in the Sufi community. It is the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad – may peace and prayer be upon him. He – may blessings be upon him – was born on 12 Rabi‘ al-Awwal, which corresponds in 2016 to 12 December. An exceptional year 2016, in which the lunar and solar calendars align perfectly.

We like to call this festival the festival of Humanity. Why? Because he is the primordial, the foundation, the seed containing the Tree, the origin of all human beings on this earth. Before the existence of time, before the outlining of forms, even before the creation of place, there was the Light of Muhammad – peace and prayer be upon him – which has never ceased to be. From it God created all things and then manifested this beautiful and absolute primordial point in a form, a Man. This Man was born on 12 Rabi‘ al-Awwal, in Mecca in the Arabian peninsula, and bears the name Muhammad ibn ‘Abdillah on earth and Ahmad in the heavens.

He is thus our origin and he came to us as Mercy for Humanity in order to remind us of our starting point; he came to us to awaken this desire and deep love hidden in the depths of our darkness. He is the Mercy that walks, the definition of clemency, the jewel of excellence, the seed, the tree and its branches. Like blood, he flows in us, and every movement of the body follows the trajectory of his Sun. The denier is bound to him as the shadow is to the Sun. Lord, pray upon Your beloved, the source, the Mercy of Humanity, with a unique prayer that transcends all analogies and transcendence itself.

This festival is central in the Karkariya Sufi path, whose master and spiritual guide is the Shaykh, Sidi Mohamed Faouzi Al Karkari – may God preserve his secret. It is an occasion for disciples from all over the world to meet again and to renew the pledge to the Tree of Life. From every land the disciples travel and unite, a blend of colours in every sense of the term.

The festivities take place over several days, even if the 12th of this month remains a date with particular preparation and investment. This day is punctuated by songs, Sufi dances, musical performances, testimonies, feasts, and so on.

THE WELCOME AND THE BEGINNING

This year, as in previous years, the disciples coming from Oujda united in the journey by hiring a coach. Once at their destination, they are awaited by the Shaykh and the disciples on the spot, while they (the disciples of Oujda) brandish banners and coloured flags. When they reach the Shaykh, he takes the lead of the march to the zawiya, where the four surahs (of the daily wird) are read. Then follow the recitations of poems, the various prayers and the daily invocation of the Karkaris.

Everyone is welcome at the festival. For the occasion a tent occupying part of the road in front of the zawiya is set up to guarantee the maximum number of seats and to prepare the public for the meals and the cakes handed out.

THE SUFI DANCE

The Sufi dance, an unmissable activity in this kind of event, takes place after the evening prayer as is customary. The songs of love precede the dance as its introduction and fuel. Indeed, the songs define the start, the middle, the end and the rhythm of the dance. We salute the singers, who provide a continuous, flawless performance in rhythm and breath.

TALKS

It is also an occasion for the disciples to speak and to dialogue with the rest of the world by whatever means they wish. Some testify to the vision of the Light, others bring a scientific proof of the vision or share their poems.

The Hang, a very young instrument, harmonious and with beautiful melodies, was heard by us through the hands of the disciple Florian of Bordeaux. On the path we are open to all the noble arts that lull hearts.

His performance on video:

Sidi Emmanuel Ibrahim presents to us his passion, archery, which is curiously and very closely linked to the disciple’s journey on the Sufi path.

Testimony of Sidi Filip, from a family of diverse origins and therefore of diverse philosophies (and religions). His account of his entry into Islam and into the Tariqa:

Why do I want to see the Prophet, and would he want it? A talk by Adrien Zapata.

Leaving the realm of the heavens and the earth. With the help of what?

The anecdote of the philosopher. An anecdote that takes place during the translation of the book “The Foundations of the Karkariya Sufi Order”.

Sidi Abdelkarim on lowering oneself and raising another. Anecdotes from his daily life containing wisdoms.

The upheaval of directions in the spiritual retreat of Sidi Naim. Testimony:

THE HIDDEN ARMY

Because a successful evening cannot be without a meal, the public was treated to a fine veal tajine, sweet semolina and finally fruit in abundance. We do not forget to salute the efforts of what is commonly called “the hidden army”, invisible to the public’s eyes but oh how generous in effort.

THE PLEDGE

The most important part of the evening is the renewal of the pact with the original Light. The Shaykh spreads out a rosary of a thousand beads that he maintains all year long in invocation during the weekly Friday gatherings. A dozen disciples then take hold of the rosary and recite with the spiritual guide Surat al-Fatiha (the Opening) as well as the verse of the pledge: “Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So whoever violates his oath only violates it to the detriment of himself, and whoever fulfils what he has promised Allah – He will give him a great reward.”.

Weddings

13 December was also the occasion, with still the majority of the disciples present, to celebrate two weddings at once: that of the faqir Frédéric Mustafa and that of Louis Amine. Joy, dances and songs were the watchwords of this magnificent post-mawlid evening. We congratulate the brides and grooms and wish them much happiness.

Because a picture is worth a thousand words…

Wala

Finally, the last word goes to the innocent gaze of our Shaykh’s younger daughter, Wala.