Description

Sufi and Interfaith Tours in Jerusalem – Day Excursion Suggestions

Horizontal and Vertical Journeys – Sufi Islamic Mysticism

Jerusalem, from where Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven, serves as a profound symbol for Sufi mystics representing the transition from the horizontal journey of earthly pilgrimage to the vertical journey of divine encounter. This city has been a focal point for Islamic mystics over the centuries, with over 70 Sufi centers (zawiyas) active during various Islamic periods, some of which continue to operate.

Our exploration begins at the Dome of the Rock, the launch point of Muhammad’s heavenly ascent and the third holiest site in Islam. Surrounding this sacred edifice are numerous sites tied to the Night Journey and other Quranic narratives.

Venturing beyond, we’ll navigate Jerusalem’s streets to uncover remnants of ancient Sufi zawiyas, visiting a living zawiya to hear directly from a Sufi sheikh about the tradition. The tour culminates in tracing the paths of renowned mystics and sages, drawing wisdom from their teachings still echoed in the present.

Dome of the rock 

The Color Tour

In various religious traditions, light symbolizes divinity, while darkness represents the material world. Color, a fragmentation of light, embodies the diverse aspects of the divine. This tour delves into the significance of color across religions, from Judaic Kabbalah and temple worship to Christian liturgy and Islamic Sufi mysticism.

Starting with Judaism, we’ll explore color’s relation to the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and its role in temple and synagogue settings, including a visit to the Temple Institute and notable synagogues in the Jewish Quarter.

We then transition to Christianity, showcasing Jerusalem’s vibrant churches and their iconography, before moving to Islamic madrasas and the Dome of the Rock, interpreting color’s role in Sufi spiritual practices.

Concluding with a panoramic view of Jerusalem, this tour weaves together the city’s kaleidoscope of colors, beliefs, and cultures.

Islamic Madrassa 

From Where Comes My Help? – Messianic Traditions on the Mount of Olives

All three monotheistic religions anticipate the Messiah’s arrival from the Mount of Olives, rendering it a sacred space rich in Jewish, Muslim, and Christian eschatological traditions.

We’ll visit the Ascension site, revered across faiths, and explore Jewish beliefs regarding the divine spirit’s departure from the Temple. The journey includes sacred Sufi shrines, Christian churches with breathtaking city views, and a descent along Jesus’s path into Jerusalem, passing Jewish burial sites and the tombs of the last biblical prophets.

In the Kidron Valley, we’ll explore the Tomb of the Virgin Mary, the Church of All Nations, and Absalom’s Tomb, concluding our tour with quiet reflection in an olive grove, bridging the past with present spiritual quests.

Mount of Olives