Invited to the fifteenth edition of the Fez Festival of Sufi Culture, the President of the Chishtiyya Foundation, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, follower of the Tariqa Chishtiyya in Ajmer, India, spoke in several round tables alongside university professors and researchers in the matter. Given his reputation as a great Sufi, very well known throughout the world, Haji Syed Salman Chishty, leaves directly, after Morocco, for Dubai, to give a conference, then in Indonesia to participate in a Summit of Sufism.
Le Matin: As president of the Chishtiyya Foundation, what can you tell us about the Tariqa (brotherhood) Chishtiyya of India?
Haji Syed Salman Chishty: The Tariqa Chishtiyya is present not only in India, but also in South and Southeast Asia. Its history dates back to the 11th century, especially to the “Awliae” (Saints), namely his Excellency Khawaja Moen Eddine Hassan Chishty who came from Medina to Ajmer Cherif in India. Just like in Morocco, we have several Zaouïas, like the Zaouïa El Kadir of India, the largest center of Sufism and Islamic spirituality, not only for India, but also for all of southern Asia, and which is located in Ajmer Cherif. It is a heritage that we serve with love and great fidelity, through our founding principles which embody service to humanity. For this our master, Khawaja Moen Eddine Hassan Chishty, asked us to develop three natural attributes with regard to existence, namely the sun as grace, the river as generosity and the earth as hospitality.
What is the relationship between Fez and Ajmer?
In Morocco, there are, for example, the Tariqa Qadirya, Boutchichiya, Tijania and others. It is the same lineage as the Chishtiyya with respect to spiritual character. So, Ajmer Cherif is the spiritual city of India, as Fez is that of Morocco. Ajmer is also a city of “Awliae”. It welcomes people of all beliefs, just like in Fez and its Sufi culture festival where there is an openness for different beliefs alongside the Muslim one. This is the case in Ajmer Cherif where Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, among others, come together to serve and experience the blessing of love.
So, can we say that there are several points in common between spirituality in Morocco and that of Ajmer?
Indeed, Morocco and India have points in common with regard to the “Awliyae”. When I came to Fez for the first time in 2010, I was surprised by the spiritual quality of Sufism and Moroccan Tariqas. I had the honor of bringing a choir of musicians in Samaa and Dhikr (praise) from Ajmer Cherif of the Tariqa Chishtiyya, which had enormous success, to the Sufi Culture Festival. In 2022, we have the same experience, thanks to the invitation of Dr. Faouzi Skali.
Can there be collaborations between your Tariqa and the Moroccan one?
Yes. For example, when I was invited a few years ago by Moulay Mounir of the Tariqa Boutchichiya in Madagh, I noticed that we do the same celebration, as well as the same service to people, particularly with regard to food. So the Chishtiyya is also important since it offers food to all the people who come, in addition to the Dhikr of Allah just like the Tariqa Boutchichiya. They are the same principles. Only the language is different, but the essence is the same in all spiritualities. Over the past ten years, I have traveled to more than 80 countries around the world (Senegal, Mauritania, Tunisia, Egypt, Middle East, Europe, Bosnia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Morocco…) and found common essences of Tariqa that lead people to divine passion. To achieve it, there is also love for his Prophet Muhammad.
Are Al Mawlid celebrations the same too?
Around the world, people celebrate the festival of Al Mawlid. In India, we have been doing a great celebration, for fifty years, through scriptures, poems, music, Sufi culture, Islamic culture and spiritual traditions. This is the essence of all Tariqas whether Kadirya, Chishtiyya or Naqshabandiyya. We are all united by the love of the Prophet. When we recite his praises, it is the force which binds us to this passion for the Prophet which takes us towards that divine. So all the Tariqas and “Awliae” are the shining lights of that Mohammadia. The light of the Prophet resonates in the heart and the life of the “Awliae” whether it is Sheikh Ahmed Tijani, Moulay Idriss, Sheikh Abou Madiane, among others. Or those of India like Khawaja Moen Eddine Hassan Chishty who is the first to establish the Tariqa Chishtiyya. Afterwards, there were other “Awliae” like Baba Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, Baba Farideddine Chaker and several from Kashemire, Bengal…
Do you think of transmitting these values to the youngest?
There are many young people who benefit from our programs. Then, it is time to lead the new generation towards the passion of Allah and his Prophet by instilling in them good manners such as service and faith. We do this with sacred texts including the Quran, calligraphy, poetry and music. Then, what Islam has more beautiful as Asmae Allah El Housna (The names of God), the Dhikr of Allah and the Samaâ (Qawwali). Young people respond quite well to frequenting the Tariqa and the way of the Prophet, as well as art and culture, poetry and spiritual music. So with young people, it is important to bring them closer to God with love. This is what we do in our foundation, which also works internationally.
Does the Tariqa Chishtiyya have no problems in India?
For 800 years, India has been a country, known for its diversity, where people of all faiths, cultures and religions live together in harmony. They serve, share and spread the message of unconditional love. Knowing that the language, the religion and the dress aspect change in India every hundred or 200 kilometers. But, we still celebrate and appreciate our unity in full diversity. At Ajmer Cherif, people come from all beliefs, including Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and present their spiritual experience of belonging. What distinguishes India is this respect for beliefs to serve everyone together. So we have no problem following God’s way in bringing people of other faiths together.
What is your impression of Sufism in Morocco?
For me, Morocco is a country that maintains its Sufi Tariqas well, thanks to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Royal Family who have always supported and encouraged them. For example, the Festival of Sufi Culture attracts a large audience around the world. This event is an important initiative for the dissemination and preservation of this Sufi culture, while fighting against radicalism and extremism, violence and terrorism. So, it is important that Morocco has preserved this learning of “Awliae” and carries this culture of Sufism in its life and its heart. Moreover, I myself was regularly invited to the celebration of Mawlid by the Tariqa Boutchichiya in Madagh by Moulay Mounir and Sidi Hamza, and I had the chance to be in their presence years ago. . I think that the “Awliae” and Zaouïas have always actively connected the Moroccan people in the light of the Koran, Hadith, Sunna for the love of God and the Prophet.
Interview conducted in Fez by Ouafaâ Bennani
Fez of Sufi Culture: Interview with Haji Syed Salman Chishty