Shepherding as Dhikr with Imam Fode in Mediterranean Morocco
August 9 - 16, 2025
Trip Price: From $1,900
Program Description
August 9-16, 2025, join Qur’anic luminary Imam Fode Drame and the Sabiah shepherding family in their ancestral mountainous Northern Moroccan village of Chtâouna (near Tetuoan) for a transformative experience exploring the inner and outer realities of shepherding as dhikr, or Divine Remembrance.
We’ll explore what shepherding–the profession of nearly every major prophet–can teach us, and how we can apply those lessons to our everyday lives following the completion of our 8 days together. Rediscover presence, simplicity, and connection to your fitrah through this prophetic path.
The program provides participants with an authentic, HANDS-ON experience learning from a traditional, multi-generational Muslim Moroccan shepherding family led by 85 year-old Grandma Hajjah Rahma.
Spiritual teachings and suhbah (companionship) with Imam Fode Drame–who was a shepherd as a young boy in Gambia–provides participants with an incredibly unique opportunity to gain inward and outer experiential knowledge in a scenic and small group setting.
The week-long program is raw. Participants will learn from the Sabiah shepherding family, just as they live and work. The accommodations and food provided throughout the 8 days are comfortable, however, this is not a “tourism-focused” experience.
This program is built for the seeker who understands the spiritual gems found through placing one’s hands in the soil, breaking bread from the same plate of food as others, and stretching oneself–physically and spiritually–to arrive at a higher spiritual station. If this sounds like you, join us.
Program Highlights
Shepherding Apprenticeship: Learn about the prophetic profession of shepherding from three living generations of Moroccan shepherds and Islamic scholar Imam Fode Drame
Horseback Riding: Ride the Sabiah family horse on nearby mountainside trails
Wildlife Workshop: Participate in an intro to wildlife tracking workshop with naturalist, artist, and author Sama Wareh
Milk-to-Cheese Class: Make fresh cheese from scratch–from milking the Sabiah family cow to creating the curd
Wheat-to-Bread Class: From field to fantastic bread! Learn to cut the wheat, create the dough, and start the outdoor oven as we bake fresh bread under the guidance of the Sabiah shepherding family
Art Reflections: Create daily art reflections, capturing the inner insights and outer beauty of your journey in a personal art journal that you can take home as a memory
Sacrifice & Skinning: Gain hands-on experience with the process of animal sacrifice, understanding the spiritual significance from both fiqh (jurisprudence) and batin (inner reality) perspectives.
Medicinal Plants & Ecology Workshops: Delve into the medicinal properties of Moroccan plants, their historical uses in healing, and the ecology of the local area through teachings from the Sabiah shepherding family and ecologist Adam Lotfi.
Farm-to-Finger Experiences: Share meals alongside Sabiah shepherding family members who prepare our meals from ingredients sourced just steps away from our picnic blanket
Salat & Optional Dhikr: Participate in outdoor salat in jama’ah and optional individual wird (daily dhikr) and group dhikr at a nearby traditional Moroccan Zawiyah
Note: This trip is tailored for the adventurous / spiritual seeker, and is also appropriate for families with world travel experience. Diverse accommodations options are available for individuals, couples, and families, including men-only and ladies-only rooming options. Programming geared toward children will also be available.
Meet the Team!
Imam Fode Drame, Islamic Scholar (& Former Shepherd)
Imam Fode Drame is a teacher, prolific author, linguist, Qur’anic Exegete, father, international speaker, and former shepherd. He established Zawiyah Foundation in Vancouver, BC, in 2005, a non-profit charity founded on his vision for humanity.
Imam Fode's work—whether through his foundation or his writings—is particularly concerned with providing the building blocks for the construction of the human character, the foremost among the subject matters of the Glorious Quran.
His most recent endeavor is the creation of Masina Publications, which is dedicated to publishing his books.
A selection of his publications include:
Anwar-ul-Quran: The Holy Quran with English Translation by Fode Drame
Expansions Series
-Reading the Stars-Parable of the Bee
-The Wavy Clouds
-The Ascension of the Soul
Sama Wareh, Co-Guide & Naturalist
Sama Wareh is an ecologist, author, artist, instructor, and co-founder of the Art and Wilderness Institute, with over 20 years of experience in the environmental field. Driven by an insatiable curiosity about Allah’s design in ecosystems, she is passionate about uncovering nature’s mysteries and sharing its wonders. Sama has taught college-level courses and led workshops and trainings on Wilderness Immersion. Her commitment to environmental education has earned her accolades, including the Top Educator Award for Southern California from the Association for Outdoor Environmental Education. She holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Cal-State Fullerton and is certified in wildlife tracking, plant medicine, and art therapy.
Colin Christopher, Co-Guide
Currently based in Rabat, Morocco and originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Colin is the founder of Fitrah Outdoors. His deep love for nature, community, and remembrance of the Divine inspired him to create spiritually grounded programs that help people reconnect with their fitrah through meaningful time in natural settings.
Adam Lotfi - Co-Guide
Adam is a PhD student at the University of California, Berkeley, researching traditional ecological knowledge, food sovereignty and political ecology in North Africa. Before graduate school, Adam worked on multiple farms and worked as a restoration specialist, gaining experience with rotational grazing and prescribed burning. When he's not chasing chickens, Adam is writing music or drinking a cappucino.
International Trip FAQs
What’s Included?
Zabiha/Halal breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
Accommodations
Airport transfers
Daily transfers between accommodation and Sabiah shepherding family farm
Teachers, guides, classes, workshops, and all other programming
Tips for local guides
What’s Not Included?
Visas (if required)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Personal expenses and additional meals/snacks outside of provided meals
International airfare
1. Do I need prior experience to join this trip?
No prior experience is required, but a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Program participants should be comfortable walking between 30 and 90 minutes daily on uneven paths (minimal elevation gain), and learning, eating, and praying in outdoor settings for multiple hours in a row. Please also note that while all participant accommodations include air conditioning units and the Sabiah Shepherd Family Farm will provide participants with access to a cool indoor traditional Moroccan tea room throughout the day, the majority of program activities will take place outside where daytime temperatures will generally range from 70-90 Degrees Fahrenheit.
The majority of the program will take place on the Sabiah Shepherding Family Farm in the small Northern Moroccan village of Chtâounan. During the daylight hours, we will be experiencing a Moroccan agricultural context whereby animals and people live in close proximity with one another and facilities reflect a traditional Moroccan lifestyle. Those with no prior experience on a farm or rural Global South setting are encouraged to reach out to Fitrah Outdoors via info@fitrahoutdoors.com to learn more information about what to expect.
2. What should I pack?
A detailed packing list will be provided, but essentials include comfortable / modest / quick dry activewear, sturdy closed-shoe footwear, a small backpack, sunblock, a hat to block the sun, an instant-filter water bottle (such as these), high protein snacks, and personal medications. Please note that personal laundry services will likely be available for an additional charge to participants.
3. Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances. We suggest considering this option which covers trip cancellations under almost any circumstance.
4. Will meals be provided?
Yes, all meals (Zabiha/Halal) will be provided. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided at your accommodations. Home cooked lunches will be prepared and provided by the Sabiah Shepherding Family at their Chtâouna village farm. Any additional meals or snacks are the responsibility of the attendee. Dietary restrictions should be communicated in advance via the form provided once registration is confirmed.
5. What kind of accommodations will be provided?
Accommodations are tailored for individuals, couples, and families. Please see the detailed package descriptions and associated photos on our Fitrah Outdoors WeTravel page.
6. What if I need to cancel my trip?
The initial $500 deposit required to secure one program spot, is refundable through July 15. In order to ensure an equitable program process and outcome for our internal staff, local guides, and program participants, we are unable to refund deposits and payments made after July 15.
7. How will transportation be arranged?
All internal transportation, including airport transfers and daily transportation needs will be provided.
8. Who are the guides and what is their experience?
To read more about this trip’s Co-Guides, please see their bios above. All guides are experienced, adventurous, and CPR-certified to ensure your safety and provide background information and facilitation throughout the program. Additional specialized, local guides in Morocco will enrich the program experience throughout the trip.
9. Do I need a visa?
U.S., Canadian, U.K., E.U., Australian, New Zealand, and Japanese passport holders do not require Visas to enter Morocco. For other passport holders, please check with your country’s embassy to confirm whether you need a visa for Morocco.
10. Will we have any free time to explore?
An hour or so of free time will be provided most evenings, and there are longer time periods of free time on Friday, August 15 in the morning and evening hours, should participants choose not to attend the morning hike and late afternoon dhikr at a traditional Moroccan zawiyah.
11. What do you mean by “digitally disconnecting”?
Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect Policy: The first and final evening of the program, participants are free to utilize any and all electronic devices they choose to bring on the program. From Day 2 through the afternoon of Day 7, Fitrah Outdoors staff will store all electronic devices in a secure and weather-proof location. Fitrah Outdoors program staff will have access to mobile phones at all times and at least one staff member will be reachable in the event of an emergency. *please note that accommodations can be made for extenuating circumstance such as medical emergencies and other requirements (e.g. blood sugar monitoring etc).
Fitrah Outdoors’ Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect Policy applies to all programs, and is offered as a unique opportunity to build connection, both inwardly and outwardly, with other people, other creations, and to regenerate one’s own fitrah. Throughout the trip, Fitrah Outdoors program staff will be taking a plethora of high quality individual, group, and scenery photos (and a few short videos), and will share with the group. This allows participants to center their attention on each moment.
We understand that this can seem strange or even scary for participants. In our experience, it is often those who are initially the most skeptical of the Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect policy who end up being the most appreciative for their experience at the end of the program. Nisa, a participant from the Fitrah Farm Stay Program in Pescadero, California, recently commented: "Fitrah Outdoors’ carefully curated experience allowed us to unplug from the noise of daily life and truly connect to our primordial self. We were fueled by nutrient dense meals, mindful practices, and the reset to my system was felt for months afterwards."
12. What happens in case of a medical emergency?
In case of a medical emergency, Fitrah Outdoors staff, all of whom are CPR-certified, will provide immediate assistance and coordinate with local medical services and family, if necessary. Participants are responsible for any medical expenses incurred, which is why travel insurance is highly recommended.
13. Will there be language barriers?
The Sabiah Shepherding Family speaks fluent Arabic, limited English, and one member is fluent in Spanish. Three of the four primary guides are bilingual in English and Arabic and will translate for participants throughout the program.
14. Can I extend my stay before or after the trip?
Yes! If you wish to extend your stay, you are responsible for making your own arrangements. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like recommendations.