Fez Festival of Sufi Culture 2019

Sufism or Tassawuf as it is called in Arabic is a way of education and spiritual teaching, considered to be the esoteric aspect of Islam. It was first defused by stoics and devotees in the path of our creator, in an informal way before it was progressively structured around the 10th century. Historically, the transmission of this teaching is done in its early stages through spiritual centers that earned by merit to preserve the norms of culture, sociability, and spirituality proper to Islam in an era of dislocation of the Muslim world, particularly under the reign of the Abbassides dynasty in Baghdad. These centers, in fact, have known how to preserve a message of a universal spirituality that has nourished the Muslim culture and not only enhanced its artistic and literary expressions but also its social and economic advancements. For centuries Sufism has inspired simultaneously the organization and the ethical and spiritual charters of all classes harmoniously throughout the Muslim world.

In Morocco, for example, guilds and special trades have traditionally allied themselves with Sufi orders as they found ethical education a way to prosperity. The relationship that has been established between spirituality and social and human development has marked naturally the cultural and historical identity of Morocco.

These Sufi Orders of Morocco have known through time an international beaming by establishing their zawiyas throughout the Islamic empire from the Farwest of Morocco to the borders of China. The case of the Zawiya Shadhulia and Zawiya Tijania in this regard is an eloquent illustration. The roles of these Sufi orders of teaching and civic and spiritual education at the same time engagement of human development and mediation for peace, in a profound and creative effect, are what constitute the unique identity of Moroccan culture.

The festival of the Sufi Culture in Fez has not only the gift to identify a spiritual and artistic patrimony of an exceptional wealth, but also to open the thought on what could be the benefit of this patrimony on the heart of the Moroccan society today. Sufism can also inspire on a global level, some new approaches for concrete maneuvers of peace mediations and for development of mutual dialogues between religions and cultures. This festival can contribute as well as promote and diffuse throughout the world, the message of peace, universality, and a spiritual way of life registered in the heart of Islam, particularly in our troubled world today.

This Sufi Journey in Morocco is beyond just a spiritual trip to a foreign destination, but as close as you can get for a spiritual growth. Join us in the spirit of a universal improvement by meeting world-renowned scholars and thinkers of different faiths and traditions. Meet with other travelers like yourself from all webs of life who are here to share and learn what self-growth is all about.

ITINERARY

Oct 19: Travel to Fez from Casablanca

Once you arrive at Casablanca airport, you will meet your tour manager who will welcome you and transfer you to Fes, the spiritual capital of Morocco and the City of Islam as it is called. Your day will culminate with your arrival in Fez, traveling through the Roman capital of Northwestern Africa, Volubilis. In addition, you will pay a visit to Moulay Idris, a venerated citadel considered both the cradle of Sufism to Moroccan society, as well as the first Islamic capital for the premier Arab dynasty. Your day will conclude with sightseeing in Fez, including the ramparts, the gates and the Borjes (Moorish Forts), and finally, a dinner at your hotel.

Oct 20: Fes Guided Tour

After breakfast, you will meet with your local guide who will take you on a historical and spiritual city discovery tour. You will spend your day exploring the majestic city of Fez, beginning with visits to the Mellah, the King’s palace, and the Bat’ha museum of Moroccan Arts. The remainder of your morning will be spent on a walking tour of the Medina, a walled city with a maze of medieval twisting alleys, blind turns, mosques, shrines, fountains, workshops, and numerous markets. You will break for lunch at a typical Moroccan Halal restaurant and will continue to explore and shop for the remainder of the afternoon, ending with dinner at your hotel. Later you will be transferred to Shehrazad Palace for the festival grand opening.

Oct 21: Visiting Fes and Festival Events

Festival activities are at Medersa Bouanania in the heart of the Medina.

Oct 22: Sufi Festival of Fez

Festival activities will be at Medersa Bouanania.

Oct 23: Sufism conference of Fez

Festival activities are at Museum Dar Batha. With an evening Samaa with the Ensemble Ibn Arabi and Flamenco spiritual at Batha Museum.

Oct 24: Sufi Music of Fez

Festival activities are Medersa. An evening of Samaa and chants is with Boutshishya /and Shadhilia Tarikas.

Oct 25: Excursion from Fez Mount Zalagh

Your morning will be spent on an excursion to the Rif Mountains, where you will visit the Sidi Ahmed al Barnoussi shrine and enjoy a picnic lunch over the red poppy fields with local scribes and a typical couscous meal. The Jajouka musicians and dancers will enchant you with haunting sounds of their oboes and drums – a ceremony that you will treasure for the rest of your life. After lunch, you will return to Fez for the afternoon Festival activities, dinner, and evening events. Samaa and dance will be with Ouazzania Tarika.

Oct 26: Sufism in Fez

Festival activities are during the day. In the evening there will be a closing ceremony with concerts of Sufi dance and chants

Oct 27: Fez - Closing Festival Ceremony

Festival activities and closing ceremony.

Oct 28: Travel from Fez to Marrakech

You will spend your day en route to Marrakech, traveling through Azrou, across the middle Atlas Mountains, and pausing for lunch in Khenifra before descending the foothills overlooking the magnificent oasis of Marrakech Alhamra, a city that captivates the imagination and provides satisfaction for every possible taste. Detours will include visits to Berber villages, scenic views, and traditional markets, and you will conclude your day with dinner at your hotel.

Oct 29: Visiting Marrakech with your Guide

You will spend your day exploring the majesties and wonders of Marrakech, including a visit to the historic Menara, a magnificent pool surrounded by flowerbeds, which reflects the image of a beautiful Moorish edifice. The construction, built in 1866, was designed for the dignitaries so that they could enjoy glorious sunsets with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains providing an ethereal backdrop. The pool is also an innovative, functional irrigation system belonging to an ancient architectural style adapted to the desert lifestyle. In addition, you will visit several impressive sights, including the Koutoubia Minaret (identical to la Giralda, a tower located in Sevilla, Spain), and the Saadian tombs, which demonstrate Moorish architecture at its greatest. The tombs, a collection of sixteenth-century mausoleums, were hidden behind walls until their discovery in 1917. Lunch will take place at your hotel, and the afternoon will consist of a tour of the colorful souks (markets) of Marrakech. After a drink at sunset, overlooking the bustling Jamaa El Fna Square, you will conclude your day with dinner at a typical Moroccan restaurant including local entertainment.

Other interesting sights will include: • The museum of Dar Si Said, equipped with a display of Berber arts and crafts from all over Morocco. • The remains of the Badii Palace, a historical monument which is host to the Annual National Festival of Popular Art, beginning the second Friday in June. • The Bahia Palace, which exemplifies Moorish splendor at its finest. It is situated in the heart of the Mellah and continues to host dignitaries to this day.

Oct 30: a flight from Marrakech back Home

You will take an early morning flight from Marrakech Airport to Casablanca, and will fly directly from there back home with a memorable Sufi Experience.