Spiritual guidance for all people

Sheikh Eşref Efendi is the official representative of Islam and representative of Mawlana Sheikh Nazım and his successor Mawlana Sheikh Mehmed Adil An Naqshbandi Ar Rabbani, not only the spiritual leader of the Sufi community in Germany, but also the representative of the Honorable Naqshbandiyya Order for public appearances and official correspondence in both interreligious and intrareligious matters, in order to discuss questions of faith.

In this role, he travels to many countries where he is invited to conferences and speeches. Romania, Finland, Canada, Brazil, Iran, and India have been important stops in recent years, where he has spoken about the practical interpretation of Islam in everyday life and ways to achieve global peace, inspiring audiences with his words.

His Sufi Way To Peace initiative regularly organizes fundraising campaigns for those in need and trips to poor regions to show love and give hope to the local people.

Since 2015, Sheikh Eşref Efendi has been living in Eigeltingen-Reute on Lake Constance, where he practices Sufism in daily life with his community at the Sufi center "Sufiland" and offers his advice and guidance to people regardless of their religious beliefs and cultural background.

The Ambassador of Peace

As an active multiplier in interfaith dialogue and peace ambassador for three decades, Sheikh Eşref Efendi has been invited as a guest of honor to the Conference of European Rabbis, the Church and Catholic Days and the World Peace Forums. . For the 10th World Conference of Religious Leaders in Lindau in 2019, he was selected to be part of the 15-member German delegation as a representative of Islam in Germany, among other things. The Schengen Peace Foundation in Luxembourg honored Sheikh Eṣref Efendi for his extraordinary efforts to promote peace and human dignity with the Nelson Mandela Medal for Humanity. 

Outside Germany, Sheikh Eṣref Efendi is particularly active in India, Latin America, and Palestine/Israel. The mayors of the Mexican cities of Veracruz, Taxco, Quintana Roo, and Playa Del Carmen wanted to present Sheikh Eṣref Efendi with the keys to their cities last spring. However, due to Covid-19, the "Sufi Way To Peace Mexico" tour could not take place. Its agenda included a visit to the Guerrero State Congress, as well as meetings and conferences with diplomats, ambassadors, and the Vatican representative on violence prevention, women's rights, and workers' rights, among other topics.

Due to the global pandemic situation, only digital conferences and video messages can currently be held. He has therefore been invited back as a keynote speaker at the 34th International Islamic Unity Conference, which will be held digitally at the end of October.

The most recent honors bestowed upon Sheikh Eṣref Efendi took place in September 2020 by the Higher Islamic Sufi Council in Jerusalem And the Holy Places, which elected him an honorary member of their council and advisor on matters of interfaith dialogue in Palestine, and by the Religion Today and Women of Faith for Peace delegation in Trento, Italy, for his strong commitment to peace and dialogue.