University of Sufism and

Culture Centre.

FAZAL T S
Introduction
Background study
Sufism is a mystic form of Islam, where followers seek to find the truth of divine love and
knowledge through direct personal experiences. Basically, Sufism is a way of living. Peace,
Humanity, Love are the basics of Sufi Life. Sufism has a prevailing impact on religious, cultural,
and social life. By educating the masses and deepening the spiritual concerns of the Muslims,
Sufism has played an important role in the formation of Muslim society. They are responsible for
a large scale missionary activity all over the world, which still continues. Sufism emerged as a
moral and comprehensive socio-religious force that even influenced other religious traditions
such as Hinduism. Thus the impact of Sufism is not only limited in Islamic belivers, but also the
whole wor ld.
The spiritual learning of Sufism is well flourished from its sprouting stage. Dargahs are the core
of this way of learning. The academic study of Sufism is well established in Various University
departments of religious studies focused on Research, language studies, traditional education
with modern science and many more fields. Presently, there are very less Institutions which
provide both the academic and spiritual learning of Sufism.
 Aim
“Establishing a learning space and cultural center to promote Sufism studies and spiritual learning
through communal harmony”
Objectives
• To create an inclusive environment to promote Sufism education.
• To establish an identity to the functional activities through forming a qualitative cultural
space.
• To enhance the communal programs between learners and public by bridging them.
• To understand the nature of the boundaries between contrasting entities put together to create a
meaning intervention without compromising with each other.
• To understand and examine the impact of transition between spaces
• To re interpret a Dargah as a Spiritual Public Space, with a holistic learning center around it thus
finding a more relevant meaning of the Dargah in contemporary times
Scope ot the project
• Understanding of Dargahs and its functions as well as understanding the working of learning
centers and meditational centers (spiritual).
• Study of the relationship between these spaces, their functional and structural needs and
interaction with the users.
• Incorporating the concept of multi-functionality of spaces and their simultaneous
working.
• Understanding the potentiality of these spaces in contemporary times.
• Study of spatial transition and their influence in making a qualitative space.
• A new intervention in meditation which is not explored too much.
 Feasibility
• There are very less multi-learning centers for Sufism
and associated studies all over the world. The
requirement for such a space is indispensable, especially
in Indian subcontinent, being the Sufi epicenter
• Approach of universities to include such studies as a part
of academics

Area of concern:
• Mosque
• Ac a demic bloc k
• Mehfil Khana
(Performing space)
• Heritage complex
• Library
• Meditation Space
• Residential area
• Recreational area
• Re-interpretation of
Dargah premises
Casestudies:

Literature casestudies:

• Sheik jabir al ahmed cultural centre, kuwait

• Jewish muesium, berlin
• Islamic cultural centre, albania
• Blagaj tekija(Sufi dervish house), Bosnia.

Live casestudies:
• Dargah of Khwaja Moinudheen Chishti, Ajmer.
• Khalsa Heritage Complex, Anandpur sahib.
• Indian Islamic Center, Delhi.
• Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum, Bhopal.
• Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi.
• University of Kashmir, Srinagar.