Sufi traditions at Coffee & Zikr cafe
Coffee and Zikr brings is cultivating a space for connection and spirituality between sips of coffee. Located on Niddrie Street and inspired by Rumi’s cave, it invites you into a space to share stories, listen and embrace Sufi traditions.
Words and Photos by Sadia Sikander
I have never been to a space in Glasgow where I could enjoy coffee with a sense of spiritual calmness, all in one place.
Coffee, in itself, has the purpose of refreshing the mind and body, and when we add a spiritual element to it, it gains even more value and fosters deeper connections.
It is these two things that the spiritual hub, Coffee & Zikr, brings together. On the opening day, Tariq Mahmood, the director of the Sufi Festival, and now the person behind the hub, explained that he was inspired by Rumi’s teachings. Specifically, Rumi's cave and that this space would be a modern day cave for reflection and connection: “If you look around the world, you often find treasure in old, broken-down places, parts of history that people discover afterwards in their lives. In some cases, when people break down, face challenges in their lives, and essentially become ruined, the difficulties may bring them into a state of brokenness. At that moment, there is a possibility of rebirth, renewal, and becoming something much greater.”
In 2017, Mahmood’s Sheikh (religious leader) passed away, peer Allaudin Siddiqi Sahab. He explained that this was a massive tragedy: “I had a deep personal connection with the Sheikh. In that year, particularly, inspiration was rooted in my teacher and other family members. The ruins of my life, the tragedy of losing my Sheikh, and subsequently the establishment of the Sufi Festival became a treasure, enabling us to share joy, happiness, purpose, and meaning in life, and much more.”
While the Sufi Festival has been successful, having a long-term space would allow for the community to have a more regular space to gather and run seasonal and regular events, Mahmood explains.
When I ask Mehmood about how the spiritual aspect formed, he shares how Islam is often portrayed negatively, as division or through political narratives: “However, from our perspective, we want to present it as a spiritual hub. This can translate into a variety of meanings, but in our context, a spiritual hub is about the Sufi tradition, and the Sufi tradition within Islam. There is no separation between Sufism and Islam. The soul and heart of Islam is Sufism. Sufism represents the deeper, guiding direction of life, connecting this worldly existence with the hereafter.”
Mehmood hopes the spot can become a space for people of various beliefs to meet: “I truly believe this coffee café can become more than just a place to sit and sip – it can be a space where hearts meet. A place where people of every faith come together, share stories, listen, and begin to understand one another beyond differences.
In a world that often feels divided, this space has the power to gently bring us closer, to nurture connection, and to build a stronger, more compassionate community.
And through art and culture, it can breathe life into voices that need to be heard, turning creativity into a bridge that unites us all.
Coffee and Zikr is located at 82-84 Niddrie Road, Glasgow, G42 8PU
