On the evening of 22 June 2022, seekers gathered in Grenoble as part of the “Mawlana on Tour” journey through France, Switzerland and Germany. The meeting opened with a collective affirmation of the Shahada, لا إله إلا الله, and repeated salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. These simple yet profound words created an atmosphere of reverence and reminded everyone that each breath of remembrance draws the Divine nearer to the heart.
The gathering then moved into rhythmic dhikr, with phrases such as كاريكا أدب and gentle reminders not to deceive, for “everything good is bestowed upon believers.” The repetition fostered a shared sense of honesty, gratitude and trust in the wisdom behind every trial. Even as participants reflected that blessings may arrive with difficulty, the communal chant joined voices from many backgrounds into one prayerful chorus.
Here, amid the Alpine setting of Grenoble, the Ottoman-rooted spirituality of the Royal Ottoman Society found natural expression, and the shared dhikr turned the gathering into a living picture of unity and devotion.
For those interested in the texts and teachings referred to during the evening, further material is available in our online library.
