Gathering Schedule and Detailed Information

We meet regularly at Work.Shop in Athens Georgia at 160 Winston Dr #9, Athens, GA 30601. Find updated times and dates below.

*Note that on special holidays we may meet outside the Work.Shop space.

  • Sunday October 13th 4:30-6:30pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday November 10th 3:00-6:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday December 15th 3:00-6:00pm (@Work.Shop)

  • Sunday January 5th Gathering Time: 3:00-6:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday January 19th Gathering Time : 3:00-6:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday February 2nd Gathering Time : 3:30-6:30pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday February 16th Gathering Time: 3:30-6:30pm (@Work.Shop)

    Feb 28th: Ramadan begins

    Sunday March 9th Ramadan Iftār (dinner), dhikr and short lesson 7:30pm-11:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday March 30th: Eid al-Fitr Prayer and potluck breakfast at 8:30-12:00 noon (Location TBA)

    Sunday April 6th Gathering Time 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday April 20th Gathering Time: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday May 4th Gathering Time: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday May 18th Gathering Time: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Saturday June 7th: Eid al-Adha Prayer and potluck breakfast at 8:30-12:00am (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday June 22nd: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday July 6th: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday July 20th: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    August 3rd: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    August 17th: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

  • Sunday September 7th: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday September 21st: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday October 5th: 2:00-5:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday October 19th: 1:30-4:30pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday November 2nd: 1:30-4:30pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday November 16th: 1:00p-3:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday December 7th: 1:00p-3:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    Sunday December 21st: 1:00p-3:00pm (@Work.Shop)

    • 4:30-4:45pm: Set up and get settled in

    • Mid-Afternoon Formal Prayer (Asr) 4:45pm-5:00pm (English Translation here)

    • 5:00 - 5:20pm: 20 minute Dhikr (meditative chanting) in group with a drum (See common dhikr translations here and 99 Names of God here)

    • 5:20-5:30pm: Tea and healthy snacks served

    • 5:30-5:40pm: 10 minute Spiritual Reading

    • 5:40:-6:30pm: Spiritual Discussion 

    • 6:30-7:00pm: Clean up

    *Please note that these times are approximate, just to give you an idea of the general structure and time frame of the gathering; however, we do need to clean and be out of the space by the end of the rental period.

  • All are welcome to participate in any and all of our rituals. Some rituals are performed in Arabic. For those rituals, we will provide English transliterations (Arabic words written in English letters) and translations so that all can participate and fully understand and reflect upon what is being said. Our Formal Prayer Service (the Mid-afternoon Asr Prayer) is led by men unless there are no men in attendance, in which case the prayer is led by women in accordance with the Prophetic way. Our spiritual lessons are led by male and female  volunteers. Men and women pray and meditate in the same space.

    The Formal Prayer

    The Formal Mid-afternoon (Asr) Prayer is held entirely in Arabic, but we provide printed copies of transliterations and translations of the prayer for newcomers who do not know Arabic. Find a translation and transliteration of the Formal Prayer here:


    *Please note that menstruating women do not pray the formal prayer; however, menstruating women do dhikr and many other forms of worship while menstruating.  If you are menstruating, please sit with us behind the last prayer row and meditate with us while we pray the formal prayer. Then participate as usual in the dhikr and spiritual discussion. 

    In Islam we have different types of prayer including formal prayer and spontaneous informal prayer. 

    Dhikr

     Our meditative chanting (dhikr, dh ="th" sound in "there") is conducted in Arabic, and we also provide transliterations and translations for these chants so that everyone can understand, participate, and reflect on its deep meanings. 

    We often do a simple combination of 4 chants in which the seeker moves from self-centeredness and egotism to directly bearing witness that only God exists and we are simply a manifestation of the divine flow of love and compassion of the One: 

    • Astaghfirullah: "I seek forgiveness from God" for my attachments to worldly things and egoistic desires), 

    • La ilaha illa Allah: "There is no god but God"; God alone acts in the universe and everything I experience is a message from the One

    • Illa Allah: "God alone": I perceive only God in my experiences and in the cosmos 

    • Allah: Literally means "the God"; The supreme name of God

    Otherwise, we may chant the 99 Names of God or do other chants for which we will provide transliterations and translations.  You can find an English transliteration and translation of common chants here and a translation of the 99 Names of God here:

  • Our spiritual lessons and discussions are conducted entirely in English. Sometimes we read an excerpt from a spiritual book, a poem, or follow a certain text. We may also discuss something from our personal lives and connect it to Sufi concepts and practices. Our discussion allows us to process the spiritual lesson and ask questions. 

    Discussion Etiquette

    At Athens Sufi Gathering we appreciate deep thinking and sharing our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Please share your thoughts, but help us encourage everyone to participate equally in the discussion.

    We are strictly a non-political group. We ask that participants focus the conversation on spiritual themes that we can apply directly to our lives.

  • Food: 

    The body is deeply interconnected with the soul. We request that participants only bring healthy food to share at our gatherings so that we can develop a culture that is healthy in mind, body and soul. Some ideas of foods to bring are fresh fruit, nuts, sliced cucumbers, vegetables, dips, and crackers. Please bring cutlery if needed for the foods you bring. Otherwise, we will provide tea, tea cups, napkins, honey, stirring spoons and small plates. 

    Drinks:

    We always serve two kinds of tea. At least one tea will be decaffeinated. We welcome you to bring another healthy nonalcoholic drink to share if you would like. Healthy drinks could be juice, coffee, tea, and sparkling water. Please bring your own water. 

  • We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing because we sit on the floor during our services. We do offer chairs for people who cannot sit on the floor. We request that men and women cover their legs and upper bodies. We do not require men or women to cover their heads at our gatherings but we do supply head coverings for men and women who would like to experience Sufi rituals in accordance with the Prophetic way. 

    We do not wear shoes in the prayer area. Please leave them neatly outside the prayer area. We recommend that you wear socks so that your feet are not cold from touching the cold floor directly. 

  • Please bring a prayer rug and a cushion to sit on. We will provide some extras for those who do not have one and we do have chairs if needed. 

    Please bring your own water.

    It is not required but you are welcome to bring non-alcoholic drinks and food to share. We ask that participants only bring healthy food and drinks to share at our gatherings so that we can develop a culture that is healthy in mind, body and soul.

    Some ideas of foods to bring are fresh fruit, nuts, sliced cucumbers, vegetables, dips, and crackers. Healthy drinks could be juice, coffee, tea, and sparkling water.

    Please bring any cutlery that would be needed for the foods you bring. Otherwise, we will provide tea, tea cups, napkins, honey, stirring spoons and small plates.