What is "khanqah"

A khanqah or khaniqah (also transliterated as 'khankahs ', khaneqa, khanegah or khaneqah ), also known as a ribat – among other terms – is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood or tariqa and is a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation. In the past, and to a lesser extent nowadays, they often served as hospices for salik (Sufi travelers) and talibe (Islamic students). Khanqahs are very often found adjoined to dargahs (shrines of Sufi saints), mosques and madrasas (Islamic schools).

In the Arab world, especially North Africa, the khanqah is known as a zāwiyah (, plural zāwiyāt; also transliterated as zawiya, zāwiya or zaouia). In Turkey, Iran and formerly Ottoman areas like Albania and Bosnia, they are locally referred to as tekije (تكيه; also transliterated as tekke, tekyeh, teqe or takiyah). In South Asia, the words khanqah and dargah are used interchangeably for Sufi shrines.

Khanqahs later spread across the Islamic world, from Morocco to Indonesia.

Khanqah is a building for Sufi spiritual retreats.

Khanqah or Khaneqah or Khaneqa or Khangah or Khaneqeh or Khanaqah , also rendered as Khanegah and Khanakakh, may also refer to: