Sufi journey in Richlatu Ibn Fathumati by Najib Machfouzh Carl Thompson's Travel Literature Analysis

This study aimed to understand the experiences of Sufism adherents while on a spiritual journey exploring several countries in the novel Richlatu-Ibnu Fathumati by Najib Machfouzh using Carl Thompson’s (2011) travel writing theory approach. This approach has the basic principles of reporting the world, revealing the self and representing the other. The study revealed that Qandil’s journey is presented in three forms, namely (1) reporting the world in the form of stories about the environment in the form of buildings, communities and natural surroundings; (2) revealing the self in the form of Qandil's feelings, emotions and reactions during the journey; (3) representing the other in the reality of life at the places visited which turned out to be a different culture from the cultural reality he had encountered in his home country. This research is important when the traveller’s background influences the three narrative forms of reporting the world, revealing the self and representing the other.