Cape Town to host global Sufi conference

Cape Town will host the 2026 Sufi Conference, bringing global scholars together to explore Tasawwuf, spiritual purification, and Islamic tradition.

By SAYED RIDHWAAN MOHAMED

The Cape Town Ulama Board has officially announced the 2026 Sufi Conference, a focused academic and spiritual gathering set for Saturday, May 16, 2026. This event brings together a select group of international voices and prominent local scholars to explore the historical and contemporary impact of Tasawwuf (Sufism) in South Africa and beyond.

The conference marks a significant effort by the Cape Town Ulama Board to facilitate a high-level dialogue on South African soil. By bridging the gap between classical spiritual tradition and modern social challenges, the board aims to provide a platform for both academic rigour and spiritual growth.

Extinguishing the ego to affirm Tawheed

A defining pillar of this year’s conference is the exploration of the Ahlus-Sunnah methodology for extinguishing the ego (Tazkiyatun-Nafs) to affirm Tawheed. This central theme addresses the fundamental Islamic principle that true realisation of the Oneness of God requires the systematic purification of the self.

Presenters will delve into how the internal struggle to subdue the ego is not a peripheral practice, but a core requirement for a sincere and unshakeable affirmation of Tawheed. By centring the discussion on this methodology, the conference seeks to provide attendees with a traditional framework for navigating the distractions of the modern ego-centric world.

South Africa: A landscape deeply rooted in Tasawwuf

South Africa holds a unique and prestigious position in the global Sufi landscape. For centuries, the region has been a sanctuary of spiritual preservation, with its roots deeply intertwined with the arrival of great spiritual masters. The ‘Circle of the Saints’ (Kramats) that surrounds the Cape Peninsula is a testament to this enduring legacy, serving as a physical and spiritual boundary that has protected and nurtured the faith of the community through the most trying of times.

Given this rich history, South Africa is arguably one of the most profound locations globally to host a discourse on Tasawwuf. The conference aims to highlight how the South African experience is not just connected to Sufism but is fundamentally defined by it. From the early exiles who brought the first manuscripts of Zikr to the local scholars who maintain these traditions today, the ‘Circle of the Saints’ remains a living, breathing part of the nation’s heritage.

A focused exchange of ideas

While rooted in the local community, the 2026 conference will be enriched by a select panel of international presenters travelling from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada. Their participation offers a valuable global perspective, complementing the deep historical knowledge of South Africa’s own scholars.

The decision to host this dialogue in Cape Town is deeply symbolic. As a city with a profound history of spiritual resilience, it provides the ideal setting to examine how Sufi principles have shaped the moral fabric of the region.

A key feature of the international contribution is the presence of Shaykh Ahmed Dabbagh, a respected figure in the field of prophetic ethics and spiritual purification. As the founder of the Wiselife Academy, Shaykh Dabbagh is known for a methodology that applies traditional spiritual concepts to the practicalities of modern life.

Shaykh Dabbagh will be joined by Wiselife Academy instructors, who are slated to present on the contemporary relevance of Sufi principles. Their approach focuses on internal character transformation — the literal ‘extinguishing of the ego’ — as a catalyst for external social excellence. For local attendees, this provides a rare opportunity to engage with the Academy’s structured curriculum and its focus on the ‘Prophetic Way’.

Renowned scholar, spiritual guide and author Shaykh Faisal Hamid Abdur-Razak has also been confirmed to address the 2026 Sufi Conference. He founded and heads the Islamic Forum of Canada where he currently serves as its Imam and President. He is the Ameer (Spiritual Leader) of the Ahlus Sunnah Council of Canada (CCAS) and the Spiritual Guide of the Anjuman Sunnatul Jamaat Association of Trinadad & Tobago (ASJA).

Limited seats: Free registration

The 2026 Sufi Conference will take place from 08:00 to 15:00 on May 16. Given the specialised nature of the programme and the limited seating, early registration is highly encouraged.