As part of our Pilgrims’ Progress outreach I went to two different Sufi gatherings in the last two weeks.One was in a lovely centre with plush carpets and comfortable cushions finely decorated in Moroccan tones.The other was in a murid’s appartment that reminded me of how we lived as students.The first Dhikr was attended by approximately seventy five people.There was a delicious meal served at the end.The ritual was rich and complex.The second dhikr was attended by two men on one side and two women on the other side.In the first Dhikr I could feel almost nothing.A very slight sweetness developed over time(It was dhikr after all!).In the second dhikr the entire ritual consisted of listening to a tape of the Teacher.The Presence was powerful and sublime.The “hudur” of Allah was everywhere in the room.Don’t be deceived by outer appearances. Salaams,Ibrahim