On a crisp November evening in 2019 the Royal Ottoman Society gathered at the Golden Apple in Rome, an ancient crossroads of Mediterranean cultures. Sheikh Bahauddin Adil opened the gathering, thanking the Roman people for their warm hospitality and setting the tone for a night that blended history, spirituality and everyday wisdom.
Romans and Ottomans, Sheikh Bahauddin reminded us, share more than geography: their faces, customs and love of the sea speak of a common Mediterranean heritage. This shared identity makes it natural for peoples “to join and fix together.” When we recognise our common roots, misunderstandings lose their power and genuine friendship can grow.
The sohbet then turned to the saints who illuminate both Italian and Ottoman history. These holy figures, he said, are not distant relics but living “elements” that hold communities together. Looking to their compassion and humility, we find a remedy for conflicts born of misunderstanding.
A vivid metaphor followed: the ego is like a potent element such as uranium – powerful, hard to control and dangerous even when restrained. Sufism, he affirmed, is the disciplined training ground where this inner alchemy takes place. The love of gold, for instance, quickly becomes selfish “egoism” when it drives people to flaunt luxury rather than give thanks. His simple remedy: a husband may give his wife gold, but true happiness comes when she returns a sincere kiss – a gesture that turns a material exchange into heartfelt generosity.
Historical reflections deepened the discussion. Sheikh Bahauddin recalled the murder of Julius Caesar as an example of how jealousy rooted in the ego can lead to violent power struggles, and the story of Adam and Eve, noting that even the first humans wrestled with pride. These stories are mirrors showing that the inner battles repeat across the ages.
Throughout the evening the message was clear: Sufism is not an abstract philosophy but a daily practice of humility, compassion and self-discipline. By honouring our shared Mediterranean identity, drawing inspiration from the saints and working continually on the ego, we create spaces where misunderstanding fades and love thrives.
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