00898nas a2200109   4500000000100000008004100001100001600042245005100058300001200109520064500121020002200766                                       d1 aTahar Abbou00aThe Pilgrimage to the Mausoleum of Sidi Shaykh  a162-1723 aThis chapter discusses various theories of Sufism and describes the pilgrimage to the Mausoleum of Sidi Shaykh, a yearly celebration that takes place in the Algerian West Saharan Atlas region. In Islam, such a pilgrimage is not looked upon favourably by some clerics. Hardliners believe contact between the people and Allah should be undertaken directly, without intermediaries like the Sufi saints. The chapter traces the origins of this pilgrimage, its evolution, the practices and rituals it involves, and recent challenges and international recognition via the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.  a978-1-78639-328-9