Originally established in August 2008 by five entrepreneurs and inaugurated by Maulana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, Café Rumi Jakarta—also known as Rumi Center Indonesia—offered dhikr, meditation, and spiritual study sessions rather than conventional food and beverages. The café concept was intentionally chosen to attract urban communities who often feel hesitant toward traditional religious gatherings (majelis taklim). However, Café Rumi has since evolved. Its outlet on Jl. Wisma Iskandarsyah Raya now operates as a regular café serving food and drinks, while all spiritual activities have been relocated to Zawiyah Café Rumi on Jl. Pepaya III, East Ciputat, since 2020. At this new location, the community holds regular Sufi studies, dhikr sessions, and Sema (whirling dance) performances every Monday night, led by Kyai Shohib Ismail.
Sufism as Social Light and Cultural Inspiration
Can urban Sufism offer meaningful answers to the challenges of urban living?
Speaker:
Ust. Ahmad Al Maujud
Whirling Darvish Dance:
by Maulana Julianto
Venue:
Teater Wahyu Sihombing, Taman Ismail Marzuki
