Pilgrimages in Western European Sufism

In this chapter I discuss Western European Sufism through the lens of pilgrimage, and I ask: what forms, what values, and what meanings does pilgrimage have within the Western European Sufi frame? First of all, we will notice that whereas the cult of saints and worship at tombs is quite widespread in African and Asian forms of Sufism (Werbner 2003; Rhani 2013), these ritual practices seem secondary in Western European Sufism. The main reason for undertaking a pilgrimage in the West European context is, instead, to meet the living charismatic Sufi master. Secondly, we will see how pilgrimage can be an instrument of interfaith and intrafaith dialogue and a manifestation of the social and political role played by the Sufi orders. Thirdly, we will see how the universalistic spirit of some Sufi orders encouraged Sufi disciples to perform Christian pilgrimages. And finally, I argue that communitas should not simply be associated with the liminal state of pilgrimage (cf. Turner 1974). In the case of Sufi pilgrimage, I argue, communitas might also be experienced in the pre- and post-liminal stages of the rituals .