Zawiyas
A zawiya is a building or complex of buildings that serves as a center for Sufi Islamic religious practices. Often functioning as a monastery or a gathering place for a Sufi order, zawiyas are typically found in North Africa and parts of the Middle East. They can vary in size and form, from simple rooms to elaborate structures with attached mosques, libraries, and living quarters for dervishes and their sheikh.
The primary purpose of a zawiya is to provide a space for spiritual devotion, communal prayer, and
Historically, zawiyas played a significant role in the spread of Islam and Sufism, acting as focal points