An Islamic religious building, often associated with Sufism. Literally meaning “corner,” this institution serves as a center for religious education, spiritual retreat, and community gatherings. Zawiyas are places where practices such as dhikr, meditation, and other spiritual exercises are performed.
A typical zawiya includes a mosque for communal prayers, living quarters for residents and visiting students or travelers, and spaces for teaching and studying. They may also house the tombs of Sufi scholars.
Zawiyas are found throughout the Muslim world, especially in North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia, often situated in rural areas or on the outskirts of cities. Once plentiful throughout Jerusalem’s Old City, only a few still exist, such as Zawiyat al-Hindiyya, Zawiyat al-Afghani, and Zawiyat al-Naqshbandiyya.