The Birmingham Shadhiliya Trust
Charity 1134933
Overview
Summary
The Birmingham Shadhiliya Trust appears to be a faith-based institution whose role extends beyond worship: it is structured to sustain a locally rooted Sunni Sufi spiritual community through a dedicated centre, teaching and gatherings. Its unusually specific religious lineage suggests that continuity of practice and authorised spiritual leadership are central to its identity. While it states a public benefit purpose, the available evidence does not yet show how broadly it engages people beyond its immediate religious community.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Hall Green South
Confidence: low
A current event page identifies Zawiyat al-Ma'ab al-Shadhiliyya in Hall Green as the venue, and explicitly states that The Birmingham Shadhiliya Trust is the entity organising the event, selling tickets and receiving payments. This evidence does not establish activity specifically within Hall Green South ward.
- Noble Road, "UK & European Suhba 2026" event page
The page names Zawiyat al-Ma'ab al-Shadhiliyya in Hall Green as the venue; it describes use of the zawiya building and car park, and states that The Birmingham Shadhiliya Trust (charity 1134933) is organising the event and handling ticket payments and refunds.
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission's current return records the charity as operating in "Birmingham City", which supports a citywide overall footprint classification, but it does not identify particular neighbourhoods, service locations or the frequency of activity across the city.
- The evidence identifies a venue in Hall Green for an event, but does not establish routine operational activity at that location or specifically within Hall Green South ward.
- No public evidence located identifies additional current Birmingham sites, routine gatherings, delivery locations or material local delivery partnerships beyond the Noble Road-hosted event information.
- Noble Road provides the public event platform and describes the Trust as the event organiser, but the available evidence does not define the formal relationship between Noble Road and the Trust sufficiently to classify it as a confirmed partnership.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme, timetable or annual report identifying the zawiya's regular activities and any other Birmingham venues used by the Trust.
- Confirmation from the Trust of whether Zawiyat al-Ma'ab al-Shadhiliyya is owned, leased or otherwise managed by it, and whether it is its principal operational base.
- A current breakdown of the Charity Commission "Birmingham City" operating-area declaration, including whether services are delivered citywide or principally from the Hall Green site.
- Details of any formal delivery, venue or referral partnerships that extend the Trust's operational reach within Birmingham.
Areas of work
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A centre-based model for sustaining community
The Trust appears to be building or maintaining a durable local base for religious life, rather than operating only through occasional events. Its planned zawiya may function as shared infrastructure for worship, learning and community formation.
Why it matters
This suggests the organisation’s significance may lie partly in creating a stable civic and social space, with the potential to support repeated relationships and long-term participation.
Show evidence
“To establish a centre ('Zawiya') and such ancillary buildings as thought necessary and manage the same in Birmingham or the surrounding area.”
Source:Charity Commission“Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space.”
Source:Charity Commission
Religious identity is defined by a specific spiritual lineage
The Trust is not framed simply as a general Islamic education charity: it appears designed to preserve and transmit a particular Sunni Sufi tradition, including a named order and authorised leadership succession.
Why it matters
This helps distinguish it from broader Muslim community organisations and suggests that spiritual continuity, trusted teaching and affiliation may shape its relationships and activities.
Show evidence
“To advance the Islamic religion in accordance with the orthodox Sunni Muslim discipline of Islamic spirituality ('Sufism').”
Source:Charity Commission“In line with the teachings of Imam Abul Hasan al-Shadhili as manifested through the Hashami Darqawi Shadhili Sufi Order currently represented and led by Sheikh Nuh Keller and his authorised successor.”
Source:Charity Commission
Education appears to be the public-facing route into its mission
The available evidence suggests the Trust advances its religious purpose partly by making Islamic knowledge available through gatherings, lectures and talks, potentially combining devotional and educational participation.
Why it matters
This indicates a possible bridge between an internally defined spiritual tradition and wider public benefit, though the extent and accessibility of that bridge remains unclear.
Show evidence
“To advance education for the benefit of the general public by way of spiritual gatherings, lectures and talks.”
Source:Charity Commission“To advance education for the benefit of the general public.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether a zawiya has been established, and how it is used in practice.
- Which communities participate, and whether activities reach beyond an existing Sufi congregation.
- Whether the Trust works with other Birmingham faith, education or community organisations.
Remaining uncertainties
- Information on programmes, attendance, venue use and access arrangements.
- Annual reports, public communications or partnership evidence showing delivery and local relationships.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
To advance the Islamic religion for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Sunni schools of law To advance the education for the benefit of the general public.
Charity objects
(I) TO ADVANCE THE ISLAMIC RELIGION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUNNI SCHOOLS OF LAW (I.E. THE HANAFI, MALIKI, SHAFI AND HANBALI SCHOOLS) AND THE SUNNI SCHOOLS OF TENETS OF BELIEF (I.E. ASHARI AND MARTURIDI SCHOOLS) AND IN PARTICULAR AS FOLLOWS; (II) TO ADVANCE THE ISLAMIC RELIGION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC AS AFORESAID, IN PARTICULAR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORTHODOX SUNNI MUSLIM DISCIPLINE OF ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY ("SUFISM") IN LINE WITH THE TEACHINGS OF IMAM ABUL HASAN AL-SHADHILI (MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH HIM) AS MANIFESTED THROUGH THE HASHAMI DARQAWI SHADHILI SUFI ORDER AS CURRENTLY REPRESENTED AND LED BY SHEIKH NUH KELLER (MAY ALLAH SANCTIFY HIS SECRET) AND HIS AUTHORISED SUCCESSOR; AND TO ESTABLISH A CENTRE ("ZAWIYA") AND SUCH ANCILLARY BUILDINGS AS THOUGHT NECESSARY AND MANAGE THE SAME FOR ACTIVITIES PROMOTED BY THE TRUST IN FURTHERANCE OF THE OBJECTS IN BIRMINGHAM OR THE SURROUNDING AREA; AND (III) TO ADVANCE EDUCATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND IN PARTICULAR, BUT WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, TO INCREASE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ISLAMIC RELIGION IN ACCORDANCE WITH 3(I) AND (II) ABOVE BY WAY OF SPIRITUAL GATHERINGS, LECTURES AND TALKS.