India’s Sufi Legacy Shines at World’s First Congress on Feminine Sufism in Morocco

RABAT, MOROCCO: In a historic moment for global interfaith harmony and spiritual scholarship, the first-ever International Congress on Feminine Sufism concluded at the prestigious Académie du Royaume du Maroc in Rabat.

Held from June 10–11, 2026, the landmark event brought together global scholars, Sufi leaders, and academics under the theme: “Awake Memory — Light the Future.” Representing India’s rich spiritual heritage, Haji Syed Salman Chishty—the 26th generation Gaddi Nashin and Hereditary Key Custodian of the revered Dargah Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan—brought the living, 800-year-old legacy of the Chishty order to the heart of the Arab world.

Rewriting the Narrative: The Power of Sufi Women

Jointly organized by the Académie du Royaume du Maroc and Waliyat ONG Internationale, the two-day congress featured seven intensive panels. Discussions centered on recovering and celebrating the spiritual authority, sacred heritage, and contemporary impact of women within Islamic spiritual traditions.

The event was convened by Mr. Abdeljalil Lahjomri, Permanent Secretary of the Académie, and Mrs. Carole Latifa Ameer, Founder and President of Waliyat ONG Internationale.

Among the prominent dignitaries was Mr. André Azoulay, Senior Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco. A globally respected figure in cultural diplomacy, Azoulay emphasized the necessity of these gatherings:

“Dialogue between civilizations is not a luxury — it is a vital necessity. Culture and spirituality are the only forces capable of building the bridges that politics alone cannot construct.” — Mr. André Azoulay, Senior Advisor to the King of Morocco

India’s ‘Peace with All’ Philosophy Takes Center Stage

Haji Syed Salman Chishty, who also serves as the Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, addressed the assembly across two major panels.

1. Jewels of Wisdom: Portraits of Women in Sufism

On this panel, Chishty traced an unbroken spiritual lineage from foundational Islamic figures like Hazrat Bibi Amina, Hazrat Bibi Maryam, Hazrat Khadija, Hazrat Aisha, and Hazrat Fatima az-Zahra, leading to the iconic Sufi master Hazrat Bibi Rabia al-Basri.

Crucially, he spotlighted India’s own revered female Chishty saints—Hazrat Bibi Hafiza Jamal and Hazrat Bibi Fatima Sam—whose shrines in Ajmer and Delhi continue to draw millions of devotees today.

2. From the Peace of the Heart to the Peace of the World

Chishty detailed the core Chishty principle of “Sulh-e-Kul” (Peace with All). He highlighted how the langar—the centuries-old tradition of an open, unconditional community kitchen at Ajmer Sharif—serves as one of the world’s oldest functional models of interfaith peace.

“We came to Rabat not as visitors, but as bearers of a living flame,” Chishty stated. “The women of the Chishty tradition… have always understood what the world is only now beginning to learn: that peace is not declared. It is practiced. Every morning. Every open door. Every soul welcomed without exception.”

Global Recognition & The ‘Rabat Call’

Chishty’s prominent role underscores India’s growing influence in global spiritual diplomacy. As the custodian of a shrine that hosts 3 to 4 million pilgrims annually from all faiths, his presence marked a formal international nod to the Indian Sufi tradition.

The high-profile gathering also featured Esin Çelebi Bayru, a 22nd-generation descendant of Mevlana Rumi and President of the International Mevlana Foundation.

The historic event concluded with the presentation of the “Rabat Call.” This formal declaration urges global institutions to recognize, preserve, and honor the spiritual and cultural legacy of women in Sufism as an indispensable part of humanity’s shared history.