In a recent sohbet a participant asked Şeyh Efendi why he wears a fez. The short answer opens a window onto the living heritage of our Ottoman Sufi tradition. For us the fez is more than clothing; it is the “annevi”, the emblem that immediately shows our connection to the Ottoman lineage. When Şeyh Efendi wears the fez, no passport or identity card is needed – the fez itself declares, with dignity and simplicity, that we belong to an unbroken chain of seekers rooted in Istanbul.
The fez also has a spiritual purpose. By dedicating part of his daily prayer (namaz) to honouring this outward symbol, Şeyh Efendi reminds us that inner devotion and outward expression belong together. In our secular surroundings the fez is a gentle reminder to the world, and to ourselves, that the Ottoman spirit lives on.
If you feel drawn to this tradition, learn more about membership and join fellow travellers on the path of shared heritage.
