What is "softa"

Softa \Sof"ta\, n. [Corruption of Per. s[=o]khtah one who burns, is ardent or zealous.] Any one attached to a Mohammedan mosque, esp. a student of the higher branches of theology in a mosque school. [Written also sophta.]

n. 1 (context Islam English) A religious student, especially in Turkey 2 (context: by extension) A fanatic adherent, blind follower