On the blessed Friday of 8 December 2017, the Royal Ottoman Society gathered for a heartfelt Cuma Hutbesi that opened with the striking words “Kanayan Yaramız ‘KUDÜS’” – “Our Bleeding Wound, Holy.” Though the full transcript is lost to technical mishaps, the title alone invites us into a deep Sufi meditation on how our inner wounds can become portals to the Sacred.
In the Ottoman‑Sufi tradition, the wound of the heart is not merely a source of pain; it is the very place where Divine Light can enter. When we acknowledge that our hurt is kudüs—set apart as holy—we begin to transform suffering into a living reminder of God’s presence. The sermon reminded us that each ache, each longing, points toward the yearning for union (ilham) with the Beloved. By turning our attention inward, we discover that the “bleeding” is not a sign of weakness but a call to refine the self, to soften the ego, and to open the heart’s chambers for zikr, prayer, and compassionate action.
We invite all seekers who feel the echo of this message in their own lives to join our community. Together we can explore the practices that turn wounds into wells of spiritual nourishment—whether through regular live meetings, shared readings from our library, or simply by becoming a member of the Society.
May your wound be embraced as sacred, and may its healing draw you ever closer to the Eternal.
[Join our live gatherings](https://royalottomans.com/live-meetings) | [Become a member](https://royalottomans.com/membership)
