Sheikh Sherif Baba Çatalkaya

Come, come whoever you are, come and burn in the fires of love !

Sheikh el-Haj el-Fakir er-Rifa'i Mehmet Sherif Çatalkaya was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He began his religious training at the age of six in a school where he learned to memorize the Quran, Islam’s holiest book, and continued his education at the age of 17 at a traditional medresse (Islamic seminary). At 33, he felt the need for a larger perspective and found it in the spiritual teachings of Sufism. Sherif Baba received his Sufi training in the Rifa’i-Marufi, Halveti, Qadiri, Bektashi, Nakshibendi, and Melami Sufi orders in Turkey, where he is revered as an eren, one who has attained. He is currently the spiritual head of the Rifa’i-Marufi School of Sufism headquartered in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, teaches throughout the United States and Turkey and has lectured on spirituality and healing at universities and conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada. He is the host of the annual Rumi Festival in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Baba's teachings illuminate the beauty and heart of the message brought by the prophets and saints of all traditions. In my own life, he has demonstrated the beauty and wonder of al-Qur'an, and has been my guide in appreciating surahs that had been beyond my understanding. He has opened my eyes and my heart to the glory of Love. In him, the power and glory of Divine Love are seen, felt and experienced by those upon whom his glance falls. I've learned more from his generous, loving Presence than could ever be expressed in words. May Allah reward him greatly for his devoted work.