Sufi music in Syria and Morocco by Daniel Daniel

My Bachelor's project investigates the spellbinding Sufi music practices by questioning and comparing its origins and traditions in two culturally significant locations: Syria and Morocco. It is interesting in the various but spiritually connected manner of two prominent Sufi orders—the Qadiri Boutchichi Tarika in Morocco and the Naqshbandi Tarika in Syria. These orders not only serve as spiritual guides but also play a central role in preserving and disseminating the unique art of Sufi music. This artistic research consisted of different steps. I interviewed two Sufi musicians, the first one from Morocco and the second one from Damascus. The questions were focused on the differences and the similarities between the two cultures, instruments, melodies, and rhythm. I studied Sufi music from Arabic sources as well, so I had to translate many important historical facts, taking into account the ethics of the research. I relied on my musical background in this research as part of the Syrian Sufi music and on my tours during Sufi music festivals, where I met Sufi musicians from different countries. Being a seasoned Sufi music practitioner myself, I tried to add a personal touch to this work based on my experience. I found many cultural differences between the two Sufi music styles, but I found many similarities at the same time. Two countries in different places far from each other have wide cultural diversities, but the same rhythm is the key to making the conversation with the divine. Dhikr is a mutual element as well, even though it has some special details related to the geographical region. Keywords: Sufism, Sufi music, Morocco, Damascus, Universal, History

Refrences

Online articles:

AlAskari, A. (2006 July 2), Albayan, URL تاريخ التصوّف في سوريا

Aljazeera, (2017 February 13), URL جمال الدين.. خليفة والده على رأس الطريقة البودشيشية | الموسوعة | الجزيرة نت

Alqadiri, M. (2018, December 18), Arabic Modwana, URL نبذة عن سيرة الشيخ عبد القادر الجيلاني

Habous, M. (2012 Februari 8), URL موسيقى أذكار طرق المتصوفة

Katbi, M. (2019, march 13), The Association of Syrian Scholar, URL رابطة العلماء السوريين | علماء فقهاء | الشيخ أحمد الكردي

Almonajjed, T. Mowashah Malik AlMoulke, URL: مالك الملك ابتهال المنشد توفيق المنجد رحمة الله

Ebn Arabi ensemdle, Mouwashah Jamaa Allah Shataty, URL: أنشودة جمع الله شتاتي ، فرقة ابن عربي الانشاد الصوفي

Nabulsi, E. (2021, February 18), article14757, URL موسوعة النابلسي للعلوم الإسلامية

Nafahat. (2015 May), URL الطريقة القادرية البودشيشية

Qadri Shattari Silsila's Online Platform, URL https://www.qadrishattari.xyz/p/hamza-al-qadiri-al-boutchichi.html

THESUFI, (2023 July 23), URL Sufi Whirling: Exploring the Mystical Dance of the Whirling Dervishes

Vienna Declaration 2020, URL: https://societyforartisticresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Vienna-Declaration-on-Artistic-Research-Final.pdf

Books:

Alnemer, M. (2020, December 13) The Contemporary Sufi Movement in Aleppo: Its Forms and Effects, 8-11

Alnemer, M. (2020 December 14), 8-10

محمد-نور-النمر.pdf

AÜÝFD, X. (2008), Importance and Effects of Remembrance (dhikr) in Socio- Psychological Terms, sayý II, s. 217-236, URL Importance and Effects of Remembrance (dhikr) in Socio-Psychological Terms

AÜÝFD, X. (2008), Importance and Effects of Remembrance (dhikr) in Socio- Psychological Terms sayý II, s. 217-236, URL Importance and Effects of Remembrance (dhikr) in Socio-Psychological Terms

Samim, S. Music in Syria: Icons and History. Damascus: Ministry of Culture - General Authority for Books, 2011

Own Sources:

Own journey in Sufi music

Shadow

Whispers of The Heart

Zaman

Fiyyashyya - YouTube

Salawat - YouTube

Arabic sources:

. من حلقات الذكر في دمشق بحضور الشيخ نصوح مارديني (9)

ذكر الله بصوت تقشعر له الابدان السماع الصوفي للزاوية القادرية البودشيشية

سهرة صوفية على الطريقة القادرية البودشيشية في العاصمة المغربية الرباط

إن لم أزر ذاك الحبيب المجموعة الرسمية للطريقة البودشيشية بمهرجان روح مكناس

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Daniel Daniel - Sufi music in Syria and Morocco - 2025