Shaykhs

He was born in 1922 in Larnaca, Cyprus. He traces his lineage to the Holy Prophet (S), as well as to Shaykh Abdul Qadir Gilani (KS) and Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi (KS), among other saints. At a young age, he became the murid of Sultan ul Awliya Shaykh Abdullah Faiz al Dagestani (KS). He stayed in his association in Damascus, and was eventually ordered to return to Cyprus to spread the teachings of the Naksibendi Way. After the passing of Shaykh Mawlana Abdullah (KS), Shaykh Mawlana Nazim (KS) became the Inheritor and Grandshaykh of the Tariqah. He spread Islam and Tariqah throughout the world, but most notably in Europe and America, awakening the hearts of the West to the Light of Islam. In 1976, he sent Shaykh Abdulkerim al Kibrisi al Rabbani (KS) to the United States to be his First Khalifa in that country. He maintained a humble and simple life at his Dergah in Lefke, Cyprus, hosting and taking care of his millions of murids throughout the world. He was veiled from this earthly realm in 2014.

Shaykh Abdulkerim al Kibrisi al Rabbani (KS) is the Leader of the Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani Tarikat. Born in 1957 to a family descending from the Holy Prophet (S) and the Ottoman Sultans, Shaykh Abdulkerim (KS) spent the early part of his life in the village of Alifodes, founded by his grandfather. His father and grandfather were murids of Shaykh Abdullah Dagestani (KS) andthe earliest supporters of Shaykh Mawlana Nazim in Cyprus. When Greek attacks began upon the Cypriot Turkish population, his family became muhajirs and migrated to the city of Famagusta. There, he was constantly in the sohbah of Shaykh Mawlana Nazim, particularly in the Lala Mustafa Pasa Camii and the Famagusta Dergah which was maintained by Shaykh Abdulkerim’s father, Sayyid Haji Fuat al Rabbani. In 1974, war broke out in Cyprus. Shaykh Abdulkerim (KS) volunteered in the army and was wounded in battle, thus receiving the title of Ghazi. He formed part of the vanguard that ultimately recaptured the city of Famagusta. In 1976, he was sent by Shaykh Mawlana Nazim to the United States to be his First Khalifa there. In America, Shaykh Abdulkerim (KS) was constantly reaching out to the people through the beautiful manners of Islam and the Ottomans; thousands became Muslim at his hands. In 2003, Shaykh Mawlana Nazim bestowed Shaykh Abdulkerim with a special flag and instructed him to open the Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani Way. That same year, Shaykh Abdulkerim established the Osmanli Dergahi in Upstate New York. Shaykh Abdulkerim always stood up for Shariah and Hakk, never fearing to speak the Truth whether to governments, religious officials, or the general public. He spread the teachings of the Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani Way all over the world, establishing Dergahs in Turkey, India, China, Peru, and Germany, among other countries. In 2012, he was veiled from this world while visiting Shaykh Mawlana in Cyprus. Shaykh Mawlana stated that Shaykh Abdulkerim did not die, but was in fact veiled and would return in the time of Mahdi (AS). Before passing, Shaykh Abdulkerim designated Shaykh Lokman Efendi to be his Inheritor and carry on the mission in his absence.