Lefke

In 2004 I visited Sheik Nazim in the small village of Lefke, in the Turkish Republic of Cyprus. Sheik Nazim is the leader of the Nashqubandi Sufi sect and leads a small community there that draws pilgrims from all over the world. The Sheik looked at me, gave me a sharp tap on the head and told me to dance. "Sometimes one must travel far to discover what is near."

Sheik Nazim giving candy to the children


Women of the enclave waiting to greet the Sheik.


The graves of earlier sheiks in the old Pasha Monastery.