Sheikh Ahmad Dede
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Ahmed Dede (b.1960) is an Islamic sheikh, and a follower of the Sufi order of Islam, who helps spread Sufism and the art of Sufi Whirling in the United Kingdom. He has appeared on British television several times.
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[edit] Biography
His parents, the Pattisahusiwas, came from Kampong on the island of Saparoea in Indonesia. In the 1950s they emigrated to The Netherlands. On 2 July 1960, Ahmad was born in the village of Balk. He was the seventh of nine children. In 1966, they moved to Ridderkerk. In 1976 his father died. Shortly afterward, Ahmad mysteriously announced 'on my 22nd birthday, I shall die'. He never really knew why he said this. In 1981, leading up to his 22nd birthday he began to talk about his strange statement. Others told him that it may symbolise the death of the old Ahmad, and he would have a spiritual 'rebirth'. Shortly after this, he dedicated his life to Allah (God). He claimed to have had strange dreams, and went on a retreat to an old mosque for two months. When he turned 22, during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, he read his first book about Sufism called 'Whirling to Allah'. In 1985 he met the Sufi saint Grandsheikh Sultan Muhammad Nazim al Haqqani an-Naqshbandi . He became a follower of the saint and swore an oath to follow the Sufi Mevlevi order. While both of them were together in England, in 1986, the Grand Sheikh gave Ahmed his personal blessings. He then worked at Sufi camps and classes and in 1994 began to believe that the Holy Opening, the first surah (chapter) of the Qu'ran could be used as a gateway to spread Sufism. Then, in 1995, his brother, Djailana died, and this saddened him significantly. He then claimed to receive visions of his Grand Sheikh helping him through this difficult time, and teaching him to spread the message. Since then he has travelled around Europe teaching Sufi Whirling through classes, courses, and his music.
[edit] Music
He has released an album with songs on it called 'Forever Haqqani. Despite the fact that many Muslims regard Music as a diversion from Allah, Dede has said that if a song is about Allah it cannot be a diversion but a tool to get to feel Allah.
[edit] Television Appearances
Ahmad has appeared on the popular BBC Sunday morning religion and spirituality based program, Heaven and Earth. He also appeared on Channel 4's program, Spirituality Shopper.
