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Nūr Morocco

Retreat · Moulay Bouazza and Boujad

The Central Morocco Spiritual Journey

Moulay Bouazza and Boujad, from Casablanca.

A retreat through the spiritual heritage of central Morocco, starting and ending in Casablanca. You make the ziyara of Abu Yaʿza Yalannur, known as Moulay Bouazza, in the hills of Khenifra province, then of the Sharqawi masters of Boujad, among them Sidi Muhammad al-Muʿti, who gathered the great collection of blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, Dhakhīrat al-Muḥtāj.

Retreat focusSimplicity, hospitality, spiritual service and praise of the Prophet ﷺ.

Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Starts
Casablanca airport (CMN)
Travel
Private, or a small group of 8 to 14
Tracks
Devotional or open
Illustrative image: oak-dotted hills and fields in the foothills of central Morocco in late afternoon.
Illustrative image

Highlights

  • The ziyara of Abu Yaʿza Yalannur, Moulay Bouazza
  • The Sharqawi zawiya of Boujad
  • Sidi Muhammad al-Muʿti, compiler of Dhakhīrat al-Muḥtāj
  • Evening readings of blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrival in Casablanca

    Casablanca airport welcome → your hotel in the city (34 km, about 35 minutes) → rest

    Evening. A welcome gathering.

  2. Day 2

    To the hills of Moulay Bouazza

    Casablanca → Moulay Bouazza (216 km, about 3 hours, with breaks for rest and prayer) → check-in at a regional guesthouse → rest

    Evening. A quiet evening.

  3. Day 3

    Moulay Bouazza, and on to Boujad

    The shrine of Abu Yaʿza Yalannur → an afternoon of reflection → Boujad (89 km, about 1 h 35)

    • Shrine of Abu Yaʿza Yalannur (Moulay Bouazza)Abu Yaʿza (d. 1177) was the master of Abu Madyan, whose teaching shaped the Sufism of the Maghrib and al-Andalus that Ibn ʿArabi inherited.Interior for eligible guests
  4. Day 4

    The Sharqawi heritage of Boujad

    The Sharqawi zawiya and its shrines → Sidi Muhammad al-Muʿti → an afternoon of rest

    • Zawiya al-Sharqawiyya, BoujadFounded by Sidi Muhammad al-Sharqi (d. c. 1601); the town grew around it.Interior for eligible guests
    • Tomb of Sidi Muhammad al-MuʿtiSidi Muhammad al-Muʿti ibn al-Salih al-Sharqi (d. 1766), compiler of Dhakhīrat al-Muḥtāj.Interior for eligible guests

    Evening. Readings of blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ.

  5. Day 5

    Return to Casablanca

    Breakfast → Casablanca airport (158 km, about 1 h 55) → departure

What the labels mean

  • Interior for eligible guestsSome interiors are reserved, for example to Muslim visitors, or close at prayer times.

Labels: Interior for eligible guests

Two tracks on this retreat

Same route, same places. You choose how you take part when you book.

Devotional track

For Muslims walking the path.

Prayer
The five prayers in congregation along the way
Dhikr
Full participation with the zawiya
Sanctuaries
Inside the shrines open to Muslim visitors
Readings
The Mashīshiyya, the Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt and the Ḥizb al-Baḥr recited together

On this retreat

  • The five prayers in congregation along the way
  • The ziyara with al-Fātiḥa and ṣalawāt
  • The readings of blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ recited together

Open track

For every seeker, of any faith or none.

Prayer
Prayer times kept as moments of quiet
Dhikr
Attended as a quiet guest, where the zawiya welcomes visitors
Sanctuaries
A guided exterior visit where the interior is reserved
Readings
Readings from the Shadhili tradition in English, with time to reflect

On this retreat

  • Prayer times kept as moments of quiet
  • The shrines seen from outside where the interior is reserved, with their history in English
  • The evening readings attended as a quiet guest

A retreat here is a journey with set times for prayer, dhikr, reading and silence. It is not a formal khalwa under a sheikh.

Included

  • Airport pickup on arrival and your transfer back on departure
  • Four nights in named hotels and guesthouses, confirmed before you book
  • Three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure, and drinking water throughout
  • All ground transport in the programme, with a private vehicle and driver
  • A local guide, and a qualified spiritual facilitator for the sessions agreed in your programme
  • Time and space each day for prayer, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, ṣalawāt, journaling and rest
  • Private devotional evenings with Moroccan madīḥ, where arranged
  • Entry to every monument marked “Entry included”
  • A local contact number throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas, where needed
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal purchases
  • Extensions and day trips you add

Route and driving times

  1. Casablanca airport to Casablanca34 km · 35 min
  2. Casablanca to Moulay Bouazza216 km · 2 h 58
  3. Moulay Bouazza to Boujad89 km · 1 h 34
  4. Boujad to Casablanca airport158 km · 1 h 53

Road estimates from OpenStreetMap, without stops or traffic.

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Where you stay

One night in Casablanca, one near Moulay Bouazza and two in Boujad, in hotels and regional guesthouses named in your proposal. Outside the big cities, guesthouses are simpler than riads.

Meals

Three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure. Tell us your dietary needs when you enquire.

Dates and prices

Private

Any date you choose: just you, your family or your companions.

Small group

Join other guests on one of the scheduled dates below, in a group of 8 to 14.

Prices are calculated from the accommodation level, group size, transport and confirmed programme, and sent with your proposal.

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Questions about this retreat

How long is this retreat, and where does it start?

5 days, 4 nights, in Moulay Bouazza and Boujad. Start: Casablanca airport (CMN).

Is it a private retreat or a group retreat?

Both. Book it privately for your own party on any date, or join a scheduled small-group date with 8 to 14 guests at a lower price per person. Group dates are listed on this page as they are scheduled.

What changes between the devotional and the open track?

Devotional track: the five prayers in congregation along the way, the ziyara with al-Fātiḥa and ṣalawāt and the readings of blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ recited together. Open track: prayer times kept as moments of quiet, the shrines seen from outside where the interior is reserved, with their history in English and the evening readings attended as a quiet guest. The route and the places are the same.

What is included?

Airport pickup on arrival and your transfer back on departure, four nights in named hotels and guesthouses, confirmed before you book, three meals a day, from dinner on arrival to breakfast on departure, and drinking water throughout, all ground transport in the programme, with a private vehicle and driver, a local guide, and a qualified spiritual facilitator for the sessions agreed in your programme, time and space each day for prayer, Qur’an recitation, dhikr, ṣalawāt, journaling and rest, private devotional evenings with Moroccan madīḥ, where arranged, entry to every monument marked “Entry included” and a local contact number throughout. Not included: international flights, visas, where needed, travel insurance, personal purchases and extensions and day trips you add.

How much does it cost?

The price is quoted on request: send your date and number of guests with the booking panel and we reply with your itinerary and price. Prices are calculated from the accommodation level, group size, transport and confirmed programme, and sent with your proposal.

Can non-Muslim visitors join the visits to mosques and shrines?

Yes, every guest joins every visit. Some interiors are reserved for eligible (Muslim) visitors or close at prayer times: Shrine of Abu Yaʿza Yalannur (Moulay Bouazza), Zawiya al-Sharqawiyya, Boujad and Tomb of Sidi Muhammad al-Muʿti. At those places everyone gets a guided exterior visit.

How do I book?

Choose private or group, your track, your date and guests in the booking panel, then send your name and email. You receive a reference immediately and we confirm availability. No payment is taken online.

Good to know

  • A retreat here is a journey with set times for prayer, dhikr, reading and silence. It is not a formal khalwa under a sheikh.
  • This is a journey from Casablanca, not a visit within it: Moulay Bouazza is in Khenifra province and Boujad in Khouribga province.
  • The Ministry of Habous identifies the compiler of Dhakhīrat al-Muḥtāj as Sidi Muhammad al-Muʿti ibn al-Salih al-Sharqi, buried in Boujad.
  • Visits inside sacred spaces, taking part in zawiya gatherings and meetings with resident teachers are confirmed individually for each date. If one cannot happen, we tell you before you book and describe the alternative.

Sources

Enquire

Plan this retreat.

Send your dates and preferences. We reply with a confirmed programme and price.

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1. Your retreat

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How would you like to take part?

How would you like to travel?

2. Dates and guests
3. About you
4. Flights, private evenings and special needs Optional

Private evenings that interest you. We confirm the programme and hosts before quoting.

No payment is taken online.