About the exhibition

Sufism is often considered the mystical dimension of Islam, a way of nurturing its pure essence. The Sufis, who choose a path of spiritual and ethical self-improvement, are less concerned with fathoming God on a theoretical level than with their own spiritual, as well as physical, experience of the divine presence, which appeals to all the senses.

The photo exhibition provides a glimpse into the lived Sufi tradition in Europe. While Sufism has evolved and diversified over several centuries in Eastern Europe, Sufi orders in Western Europe have only existed since the beginning of the 20th century, with Sufi teachings permeating all areas of society. This spiritual culture of Sufism is increasingly strengthened by transnational Sufi networks. The term 'Sufism' covers a wide spectrum of spiritual practices and beliefs within Islam, and it is difficult to define Sufism in a single, definitive way. The influx of converts in some Sufi communities also leads to great cultural and religious fluidity. This fluidity, in which professions of indulgences and forbearance are put into practice in interactions with followers of other religions, makes Sufism a dynamic laboratory in the development of contemporary Islam.

Rituals of lived, devotional Sufism in Europe are presented, which often differ from the formalism of 'orthodoxy'. These include ecstatic forms of ritual performance, such as the rhythmic recitation (dhikr), or the whirling dance accompanied by music (samaʿ), but also pilgrimages to Sufi graves and shrines of Muslim saints. 

It is important to keep in mind that for many Sufis, with their spiritual language of love, these rituals and practices provide a window into the inner spiritual experiences and the purification of one's inner self, that is, they are often focused on the esoteric meaning of things, rather than the external, visible world. A famous quote from the great Persian Sufi mystic Jalal ad-Din Rumi speaks to the central tenet of Sufism that the path to union with the divine starts with looking within oneself. According to Rumi, the light of the divine is not to be found in the external world, but instead, it can be found within each individual's own heart. This idea reflects the Sufi belief that the ultimate goal of the spiritual journey is to purify one’s heart and cultivate a deep connection with the divine, allowing the light of the divine to shine from within. This process often leads to a shift in their perspective and behavior, as they strive to live in accordance with this spiritual teaching and to serve their families, communities and society in general.