What Do Sufi Muslim Leaders Think About Visitors at Their Sacred Sites? A Research Need

Abstract

The existing studies on Islamic tourism lack consideration of a particular form of Islamic practice, Sufism or "Islamic mysticism," which is seen as a more moderate and apolitical form of Islam in the West. The Sufi sheikhs' perceptions towards visitors at their sacred sites remain underresearched. This is despite the fact that Sufi religious sites exist throughout a number of African and Asian countries, providing pilgrimage sites and retreat centers for both Muslim visitors and those of other faiths. Although a number of academic studies examine the host/guest relationship at different sacred sites of various religions, minimal academic research has been conducted on how tourism and tourists are perceived in an Islamic, particularly a Sufi Islamic, context. This research note aims to demonstrate and raise awareness concerning the lack of research of tourism at Sufi Islamic sites, and specifically research exploring the perspectives of Sufi host communities. How Sufi sheikhs perceive tourism development and how they cope with challenges created by visitors at their sacred sites are necessary questions for researchers and tourism planners in the Muslim world to consider in the future.