The Zephyr, July 2022

13 July 2022

Dear Companions on the Path,

Peace be with you. I write to you from Bursa, Turkiye, where we are in the middle of a luminous retreat. It’s a joy to be back with the huge-hearted Turkish community after two years of lockdown. Bursa is a city of great charm.

As you know, there are many dedicated friends on the path who serve our caravan in various ways. Some serve as Vice Presidents of the Activities, a role that involves great responsibility, diligence and care. Vice Presidents serve from between three to six years. Rotation allows revered, long-serving officers to move on to other modes of work on behalf of our community, and creates circulation within the system, which in turn supports diversity and dynamic intergenerational collaboration.

After many years of indefatigable service to the Inner School, Naima Brown is now stepping back from her role as North American Madar-ul-Maham (Inner School Vice President). Naima leaves behind a legacy of excellence, a legacy that is notably reflected in, among other things, the leader’s training program she has meticulously built. Happily, Naima will continue to be a light to our community as a teacher and guide.

Succeeding Naima, we welcome now a partnership of co-Madar-ul-Mahams: Amida Cary and Miraj Jacob Ellenberg. Amida has led the North American Retreat Concentration for several years, Miraj is a long-standing teacher within our school, and they both have my deep confidence.

These are not the only current transitions. As you may know, Hassan Suhrawardi Gebel has served as North American Chancellor (Vice President) of the Knighthood of Purity since its revival in 2010. Hassan Suhrawardi’s painstaking stewardship, together with that of Alia Sura in Norway, has enabled the Knighthood to become what it is today, a solidly-established chivalric fellowship with active members all over the world. Hassan Suhrawardi has served our community in several other capacities meanwhile, and thankfully we can continue to count on his sword even as he steps down as Chancellor. Hassan Suhrawardi’s successor is Sarfaraz Jessica Berger. Sarfaraz was initiated in the Inayatiyya in 2004 and received the accolade of Knight of Purity in 2016.

Finally, I should let you know of a transition that will take place at the end of the year. After long years of wholehearted service to our shared cause as North American Bayt-ul-Haram (Vice President of Healing), Devi Tide is now passing on the torch. She will be succeeded by Raqib Kogan MD and Nur Alima Smith, who will serve as joint Bayt-ul-Harams. In addition, Raqib will be Kefayat of North America. Devi has poured enormous energy and care into Healing over the years. Fortunately for us all, Devi will remain a guiding light in our community, and her legacy is in excellent hands with Raqib and Nur Alima, who bring deep knowledge and heartfulness to their work.

I hope you will join me in expressing sincere appreciation to Naima, Hassan Suhrawardi, and Devi, and a warm welcome to Amida, Miraj, Sarfaraz, Raqib, and Nur Alima.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to all of you who have been sending your good energy and support to the North American Board of the Inayatiyya, the Astana, and the Abode Board at this time of transition at the Abode. Finding a sustainable outcome is a challenge that requires great care, and every bit of goodwill, patience, and understanding on the part of our community helps. The Trustees are volunteers who are devoting immense amounts of time. Their sole interest – our sole interest – is the flourishing of the work of the Message and its worldwide community, together with the health of the hallowed land and historical buildings at the Abode.

May the Message of God reach far, wide, near, and deep.

Yours ever,
Pir Zia

Zenith Camp 2022
Switzerland, July 24th – August 20th

Zenith Camp returns to the Swiss Alps this year with four weeks planned, July 24th to August 20th, 2022. The theme of this year’s Camp is The Call of the Earth.

Pir Zia will lead programs for Week I: July 24^th-July 30^th, and for Week II: July 31^st-August 6^th.
Additional Inayatiyya teachers and guides offering programs include Malik Hirschberg & Batin Hermes, Robin Becker, Fatimabi Grieger, Deepa Gulrukh Patel, Saki Lee, Latif Brinck, Zuleikha, Ophiel van Leer, HuDost, Jacob Ellenberg, and Aziz Dikeulias.

The Inayatiyya’s Call of the Earth Initiative, galvanized by the climate needs of our collective moment, unites us all in spirit and action through the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan. This month we hear from the Healing Activity:

“Through relationship with the Divine Spirit, humanity and the environment are realizing themselves as One living whole. When we breathe with thoughts of healing… Read more

The Zephyr is a monthly newsletter of Inayatiyya, an interfaith mystical fellowship with branches worldwide. For more gatherings, please visit our Inayatiyya Digital Programs Calendar for Spring 2022.