Summary of Two Journeys

Sardar Abdullah

"Through two journeys to India in 2018, Sardar Abdullah attempts to fill the gap in the biography of Sheikh Khalid Naqshbandi. The author invites readers to accompany him on his travels and movements in search of the Khanqah of Shah Abdullah Dehlawi, in the city of Jahanabad, where Naqshbandi spent a year in the mid-19th century. That year contributed to strengthening the Sheikh's role in bringing about changes upon his return, as he adopted the Naqshbandi order, which later came to be known by his name, "Naqshbandi Khalidi."

This journey leads us to significant historical events of that time, such as the fall of Baghdad Vilayet and the Bektashi Sufi order, and the fall of the Kurdish Emirates, which created a terrible power vacuum. However, his Sufi order served as a spiritual alternative first, bringing about a significant transformation in the composition of Kurdish leadership, which shifted from the class of princes and feudal lords to enlightened religious scholars.

The author made a firm decision not to return from India until he found that unknown place, yet during his search, he delves into history at times and into the wonders and anecdotes he encounters in that country at other times.

"The book received a special mention from the Ibn Battuta Award for Travel Literature."

Sardar Abdullah

Kurdish writer and politician and former candidate for the presidency of Iraq. He headed the editorial boards of several Kurdish magazines and newspapers after years spent in the mountains of Kurdistan within the ranks of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. He has numerous publications in both Kurdish and Arabic. "Summary of Two Journeys in Tracing the Footsteps of Our Master of Two Wings" is his second book published by "Dar Nofal" after his novel "Attila, the Last of Lovers."