Qadiri Sufi dervishes mark Prophet's birthday at Erbil tekke

ERBIL, Iraq — Members of the Qadiri Sufi order and their followers gathered at the Sayyid Abdullah Tekke in the village of Torak, southwest of Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, to mark the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Local residents and visitors also attended the ceremony. Zêrek Kêylan, one of the organizers, said the tekke holds the commemorative event every year as a tradition passed down through generations. He noted that the ceremony included organized dhikr circles accompanied by drums, and that prepared meals were served to all participants and visitors. Kêylan said the activities extend beyond their religious dimension, helping to strengthen community ties. The Qadiri order, one of the most recognized Sufi paths in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, traces its lineage to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani, and its associated tekkes continue to observe religious commemorations with dhikr circles, naats and folk rituals. Erbil hosts related events at multiple locations across the city each year as part of the observance. No further details on the latest gathering were immediately available.