On a June morning in 2010, Cyprus witnessed a quiet yet profound encounter: Sheikh Nazim al‑Haqqani, the revered guide of the Naqshbandi‑Haqqani Sufi order, met His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The words exchanged were simple and heartfelt, “Thank you,” “God bless you,” “Pray for me”, spoken with mutual respect and gratitude.
For us at the Royal Ottoman Society, this meeting embodies the spirit of coexistence that has long been part of Ottoman heritage. In a modest setting behind a church near Sheikh Nazim’s home, two spiritual leaders, each deeply rooted in his own tradition, exchanged blessings and prayers, showing that sincere dialogue can flourish in ordinary places.
The encounter illustrates the Sufi teaching that love for God transcends religious boundaries. As Sheikh Nazim extended his blessings to the Pope and the Pope responded with equal warmth, both modelled a path of compassion that invites all humanity into a circle of remembrance and peace.
Our online library offers further resources on Sufi heritage and Ottoman history: Royal Ottoman Society Library.
