On the evening of 2 November 2019 the Royal Ottoman Society gathered in Rome for a “Golden Apple” Sufi night. Participants shared in what the Ottoman tradition offers: poetic chant, heartfelt dhikr and reflection on the presence of the Divine within our heritage. The evening was filled with the rustle of prayer beads, verses of classical Ottoman poetry and the warm fellowship of every Royal Ottoman Society sohbet.
Attendees recalled the 2014 poster campaign in Berlin that honoured the legacy of Sultan Abdulhamid II for four weeks – a vivid reminder of how art and devotion can enliven public spaces. That memory sparked conversation about future projects: new artistic installations, intercultural dialogue and further opportunities to let the “voice of the Ottomans” be heard across Europe. The night closed with a shared intention (niyya) to pursue these aspirations through sincere practice and common effort.
For the texts and recordings that inspire our gatherings – Sufi poetry, Ottoman history and contemporary reflections – you are warmly invited to visit the Society’s library: Explore the Royal Ottoman Society Library
