A Retreat of Beauty, Remembrance & Reflection
Rumi Center invites you to join us in the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains of Morocco — one hour outside of Marrakesh — for a week-long spiritual retreat designed to help you prepare your heart for Ramadan.
Set amidst pristine natural surroundings with green valleys, fresh mountain air and clear horizons — this retreat offers a sacred pause from the busyness of life. Together, we will immerse ourselves in remembrance, contemplation, sacred study and creative expression, as we realign our hearts with Divine Presence in anticipation of the blessed month ahead.
This is a retreat for seekers, artists, and lovers of beauty, for those longing to reconnect with the spiritual essence at the heart of life.
The Retreat Will Offer:
Daily sessions with Baraka Blue and Imam Adeyinka Mendes will explore themes of transmission, transformation and transcendence through reflection on the Qur’an and classics of Islamic spirituality (Sufism).
Sacred music and dhikr will be led by world renowned artists and musicians Al-Firdaus Ensemble and The Pearls of Islam, guiding us in the remembrance of the Divine through voice, rhythm, and presence.
Guided meditations and contemplative writing will open space for introspection and insight.
Between structured sessions and gatherings, there will be generous time for rest, walking, journaling, conversation and quiet communion with the natural world.
THE THREE BOOKS:
SIGNS ON THE HORIZON AND WITHIN
We will show them Our signs on the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth.
(Qur’an 41:53)
THE CENTRAL THEME OF OUR INQUIRY AND REFLECTION WILL REVOLVE AROUND THE QUR’ANIC VERSE:
THROUGHOUT THE RETREAT, WE WILL CONTEMPLATE THE THREE GREAT BOOKS OF REVELATION
The Book of Nature (the horizons) — the cosmos as a mirror of divine order and beauty.
The Book of the Human Soul (the self) — the inward landscape as a reflection of the Infinite.
The Sacred Scripture (the Qur’an) — revelation that illuminates both nature and the soul.
Through study, reflection, and spiritual practice, we will explore how these three unveilings complement one another and invite us to awaken to reality, to see through the veils of separation and to live in harmony with the nature of things and the One who created all things.
DAILY RHYTHM
Spiritual practice, learning and community connection:
Morning dhikr and reflection
Classes and guided discussions with Baraka Blue and Adeyinka Mendes
Afternoon time for contemplation and writing
Evening dhikr and sacred music led by renowned musicians – Al-Firdaus Ensemble and Pearls of Islam
Delicious Moroccan meals made daily with fresh local ingredients
Ramadan is a month of mercy, reflection, and spiritual refinement. Entering it with intention allows its blessings to penetrate more deeply.
Preparing the Heart for Ramadan is an invitation to slow down, to remember, and to awaken the soul’s longing before the sacred month begins.
This retreat is not only to prepare the heart for Ramadan, but to prepare the heart for witnessing the Divine with every breath.
A PATH OF PREPARATION
This retreat is open to all, those rooted in the path and those newly seeking. Whether you come to deepen your practice, reconnect with your essential self, or simply to rest in a community of remembrance, you are welcome.
THE SETTING
Our retreat center lies in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, about an hour outside of Marrakesh. Surrounded by olive trees, flowing water, and open skies, it is a place of stillness and renewal, ideal for reflection, prayer, and connection with the rhythms of nature.
With traditional Moroccan architecture, gardens, and communal gathering spaces, the center provides both comfort and simplicity, a perfect environment to restore balance and clarity of heart.
The retreat center offers a unique experience, blending tranquility, Moroccan tradition, and modern comfort. Located in the heart of a serene valley, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lush gardens, olive groves, and breathtaking mountain views create a soothing and enchanting atmosphere.
The traditional Moroccan architecture—with rammed earth walls, tadelakt ceilings, and colorful zellige tiles—blends harmoniously into the preserved natural landscape.
YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO:
Guided meditation (muraqaba), contemplation, and journaling (muhasaba)
Evening dhikr and sacred music
Workshops on the spiritual dimension of art, rhythm, and poetry
Study and exploration on the Three Books: Nature, Self, and Revelation
Men’s Circles / Women’s Circles for discussion and reflection
Time in nature
Shared meals and beloved community
Quiet space for introspection and rest
We look forward to welcoming you inshallah!
Reflections from past retreat attendees
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT:
✔️ 7 nights accommodation
✔️ Full-Board meals included throughout your stay: 7 dinners, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches
✔️ 1 daily Moroccan tea & coffee break
✔️ Daily classes with Baraka Blue and Imam Adeyinka Mendes
✔️ Evening suhba with Pearls of Islam and Al-Firdaus Ensemble
✔️ Curated readings and practices to deepen your journey
WHAT’S not INCLUDED:
❌ Airfare and visa fees
❌ Travel and medical insurance
❌ Airport transfers to and from the retreat center
❌ Extra meals and beverages
❌ Personal expenses or shopping
RETREAT SOLD OUT
Still interested?
Sign up for the waitlist:
With intention and care, we have selected Ksar Shama as the home for our retreat. Nestled in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, just an hour from Marrakech, it offers the perfect balance of Moroccan tradition and modern comfort. Surrounded by olive groves, rose gardens, open skies, and sweeping mountain views, this serene haven invites stillness, reflection, and tranquility. All the rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated with local materials, and handcrafted touches that bring out the Moroccan art of living.
QUAD ROOM PACKAGE
TRIPLE ROOM PACKAGE
Triple Room Package| Preparing the Heart Retreat, Morocco
TWIN ROOM PACKAGE
SINGLE ROOM PACKAGE
RETREAT SOLD OUT
EXPLORE OUR UNIQUE DOME ROOMS
This unique Dome Room has some of the best views of the property.
Ideal for those who are traveling with their spouse, family or a group of friends.
It offers a Queen-Size bed and two Twin beds and private bathroom. The room is 40 m² (430 sq ft).
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE:
7 nights accommodation
Full-Board meals included throughout your stay: 7 dinners, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches
1 daily Moroccan tea & coffee break
Daily classes with Baraka Blue & Imam Adeyinka Mendes
Evening suhba with Pearls of Islam and Al-Firdaus Ensemble
Curated readings and practices to deepen your journey
DOME ROOM PACKAGE
The Dome Room Package | Preparing the Heart Retreat, Morocco
YOUR TEACHERs & GUIDEs:
Baraka Blue
Baraka Blue is a Sufi poet, musician, author and founder of Rumi Center. In addition to releasing multiple studio albums, authoring books of poetry, and performing internationally, he has a degree in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from the University of Washington and a Masters in Islamic Studies from Berkley’s Graduate Theological Union. After a life-altering encounter with Rumi’s poetry as a teenager he has been a student of Sufism and Sufi poetry for the past 20 years.
ADEYINKA MUHAMMAD MENDES
Imam Adeyinka Mendes is co-founder of the Bilal Spiritual Center and the African-American Healing, Ancestry, and Development (AHAD) Collective. He is currently the Senior Scholar at WASAT.
Adeyinka Mendes is an Ohio native with Yoruba, Brazilian, and African-American ancestry, he embraced Islam at seventeen and went on to study history at Morehouse College and Arabic at the Ohio State University, as well as the Islamic sciences primarily in Syria, Mauritania, Nigeria, and the United States. He works as an interpreter of sacred texts, teacher of Arabic and Islamic Sciences, and community Imam, as well as a rites of passage leadership consultant who continues to read with scholars and students.
FEATURING SPECIAL Musical GUESTS:
Sakinah Lenoir and Rabiah Mali FROM PEARLS OF ISLAM
Sisters Sakinah Lenoir & Rabiah Mali form Pearls of Islam — a British duo of African-Caribbean heritage whose music beautifully bridges faith, culture and soul. Blending traditional qasāʾid (Islamic poetry) with contemporary sounds, their songs weave English and Arabic lyrics through gentle harmonies, rhythmic hand drums, and acoustic guitar. Their performances are heartfelt and devotional — an offering of remembrance (dhikr), reflection, and spiritual uplift — creating a warm, grounded atmosphere that invites listeners into stillness, joy and connection.
Through their organization The Rabbani Project - they have been leading women’s retreats based on Islamic spirituality and the arts for over a decade.
Ali Keeler & Omar Benlamlih from the al-firdaus ensemble
Ali Keeler & Omar Benlamlih are members of the Al Firdaus Ensemble, based in Granada. The group takes its inspiration from the word “Firdaus,” which is the Arabic name, of Persian origin, for the highest abode in Paradise.
The unique sound of their music is due to a synthesis of different musical styles. These include original compositions of a more Western classical character, with influences from both Celtic and Flamenco traditions, and new arrangements of songs drawn from the rich heritage of traditional sufi music from Arabic, Andalusi, and Turkish sources.