Traces of Sufism in south-east Anatolia (Eng)

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As the bus rumbled away, I found myself standing on a dusty side road leading to a quaint village named Menzil. Doubts crept into my mind as I observed a cluster of fellow travelers disembarking alongside me. Unsure of my destination, I approached a man from the group, hoping for guidance. With a series of gestures, he directed me towards a modest mosque and handed me over to another local.

Sitting on a stone beside my newfound acquaintance, I learned that the revered Sheikh Mohammed Reshat Erol was currently resting, awaiting the next prayer to reveal himself to his followers.

Meanwhile, the village bustled with life, seemingly ordinary yet steeped in spirituality. Engaging in broken English, a kind-hearted local named Ogur welcomed me with warmth and curiosity. Over slices of juicy melon, meticulously prepared by Ogur, I discovered the breadth of the sheikh’s influence, spanning continents and uniting millions under the banner of Sufism.

Invited to witness the sheikh’s presence, I joined the assembly outside the mosque, where anticipation hung heavy in the air. As Sheikh Mohammed Reshat made his way through the crowd, reverence and awe emanated from his followers, touching me deeply.

In the midst of this sacred gathering, a man, gripped by convulsions, was brought forward. Instead of shock, I felt a strange sense of acceptance, as if I had anticipated such occurrences. Observing the sheikh’s procession, I couldn’t help but feel transported to biblical times, surrounded by turbans and beards, enveloped in a timeless embrace of faith.

Later, Adem, a fellow traveler, extended a hand of friendship and guidance, leading me through the rituals of prayer and ablution. Amidst the tranquil moments of reflection, amidst the whispers of prayers and the scent of roses, I found myself grappling with profound questions about faith, spirituality, and the essence of Islam.

As the day unfolded, I shared stories and exchanged insights with Adem, glimpsing into the complexities of Turkish society and the rich tapestry of Sufi tradition. With each encounter, I marveled at the depth of human connection and the transformative power of shared experiences.

In the fading light of dusk, as the stars painted the sky above, I faced a moment of decision. Though weary from the journey, a sense of purpose stirred within me, urging me towards new horizons. And so, with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit reawakened, I embraced the unknown, setting forth on a path of discovery towards Kayseri, guided by the companionship of newfound friends.

As we embarked on the next leg of our journey, crammed into a car with fellow travelers, I couldn’t help but reflect on the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless potential for growth and transformation, even amidst the rugged terrain of life’s challenges.

With each bump in the road and each twist of fate, I found solace in the knowledge that every experience, no matter how fleeting, leaves an indelible mark on our souls, shaping the course of our journey and illuminating the path ahead.

And so, as the wheels of the car spun onwards into the night, I embraced the uncertainty of the road ahead, guided by the timeless wisdom of the Sufi tradition and the unwavering belief in the transformative power of faith, friendship, and the journey of the soul.

Turkey, 1991