Special importance

[Picture source: © 2008 Stefan Knost]

The Takiyya al-Mawlawiyya in Aleppo has been one of the most important centers of the order in the former lands of the Ottoman Empire. After the Turkish Republic banned the Sufi orders in in 1925, its supreme shaykh, Muhammad Baqir Jalabi, left the order’s headquarter in Konya and settled in Aleppo, where he performed his duties until his death in 1943. In 1950, the activities of the order were banned in Syria as well.[1]

The buildings of the takiyya are well preserved and did show, together with the many tombstones in the courtyard, an active and lively institution that was part of the architectural landscape of Aleppo for about 500 years. This importance is well illustrated in the Hama wall-painting.

Current situation

The buildings of the takiyya seem to be in rather good condition and have survived the conflict without major damage.