Sheikh Fawzi Al Karkary Between Sufism and the Maldives
Sheikh Fawzi Al Karkary, also known as simply “Al Karkary,” is a controversial Sufi figure in Morocco. Born in 1974 in the city of Temsman in the Moroccan Rif, he founded the Karkariya tariqa, a relatively new Sufi brotherhood that emerged in 2005.
The practices of the Karkariya tariqa are distinguished by their particular Sufi characteristics, including:
- The Wird: This is a transmission of spiritual light from the الشيخ to the disciple.
- The Hadra: These are sessions of ذکر (dhikr) and presence to reach high spiritual states.
- The Vision of Divine Light: Adherents of the tariqa believe they can see divine light and truth during the Hadra.
- The Unity of Being: Some adherents of the tariqa believe in the Unity of Being, a philosophical idea that considers God to be everything and that everything in the universe is Him.
However, Sheikh Al Karkary faces numerous criticisms, including:
- Innovation: Some religious scholars consider the Karkariya tariqa to be an innovation, that is, religious practices that did not exist at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
- Sorcery: Al Karkary has been accused of practicing sorcery and magic to attract followers.
- Ostentatious Enrichment: Al Karkary leads a life of luxury, traveling around the world and staying in sumptuous hotels, which has aroused the indignation of some of his detractors.
- The Claim of Mahdi: Some of Al Karkary’s followers believe that he is the awaited Mahdi.
Sheikh Al Karkary denies all the accusations against him and defends his religious practices and lifestyle, considering them his rights as any individual.
Among the issues that have sparked controversy around Sheikh Al Karkary is his 2023 lecture at the University of Chicago on the topic of “Living Sufism and Artificial Intelligence.” Many questioned Al Karkary’s competence to address such a complex topic, especially since he does not have any official university degrees.
On the other hand, Sheikh Al Karkary is known for his frequent travels around the world, visiting different countries for vacations or to attend conferences. His photos on social media have aroused the indignation of some critics, who consider them contradictory to the teachings of asceticism and Sufism.
Sheikh Fawzi Al Karkary is a controversial Sufi figure in Morocco, surrounded by rumors and criticism. He defends his practices and lifestyle, but remains an enigmatic figure that attracts the attention of many, both supporters and opponents.
