Description of Challenge
In the fast paced world we live in today, secluded places for spirituality and meditation are not available anymore.
Solution
Sufi Shrines are often found today in many Muslim communities around the world. With many different names given to the structures that exist today, from Maqam to Mazar to Dargah, these places often embody the grave of a saint or dervish, mystics who have traveled and wandered in search of the divine and inner peace. Historically, some of these wanderers were considered heretic and were often dismissed by religious communities as outlaws and crazy while others were mystified and their shrines are still visited until this day. Often built in out of reach places, multiple shrines can be found around Palestinian rural areas and on mountain tops, emphasizing its importance as a religious ritual when pilgrims visited the holy land of Palestine. Many shrines today are abandoned but still hold some historic significance and importance and there are efforts to conserve them and protect them from vandalism. Many shrines have been identified to be built adjacent to ruins of ancient byzantine churches, thus offering a sense of continuity and conservation of certain architectural characteristics.
Today, hiking trails are offered to walk in the footsteps of mystic wanderers and experience spiritual inspiration while in nature. These hikes offer a new perspective for locals and internationals and provide some creative ideas to help conserve these historic monuments.
