Ziraat—Roots and Shoots
Exploring 100 Years of an Agricultural Mystery School
Second Fridays, September – December, 2025
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm ET (New York); 11:00 pm – 12:30 am CET (Paris)
Overview
Previous and current Dar-us-Salams (Vice Presidents) of the Ziraat Activity have been invited to speak about Ziraat and ways it has developed over the past 100 years from the agricultural based symbology “mystery school” established by Murshid, to an evolving deep awareness of the “sacred book of nature” as a teacher and interdependent “Spiritual Being.” In this way we seek to serve the changing needs of the planet, eco-systems, and societies today. We look forward to hearing an array of perspectives, insights, and visioning from these leaders, who each have helped shape Ziraat as we experience it today – in North America and Oceania.
Dates & Themes
- Friday 12th September – Wali David Via
- Friday 10th October – Shahabuddin David Less
- Friday 14th November – Kainat Felicia Norton
- Friday 12th December – Tasnim Stupac and Raqib Gerhard Kittel
Details
Sessions are from 5-6:30 pm New York Time, 11pm-12:30 am Central Europe Time.
All are welcome to attend. This program is open to the public; come to all or any parts of the series.
There are two tuition options to meet all needs: $49 ($7/class) or $28 ($4/class). Scholarships are also available. If you miss a class, video will be made available a day or two after each session.
If you have questions about Ziraat, or about this series, please email us at ziraat@inayatiyya.org. For registration and scholarship information, please email astana@inayatiyya.org.
Speakers
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Wali ViaWali David Via (Experienced Farmer and Ziraat Vice President 2021 – 2024) has been following the Sufi path since 1978 and serves a number of roles within the Inayatiyya, including as a past Dar-us-salem (Vice President) of Ziraat in North America/Oceania, retreat guide, and senior teacher. Wali spent his adult life farming organically and biodynamically on a commercial scale. He is now retired from farming, though the farm continues on in good hands (wintergreenfarm.com). He spends as much time as he can in the wilderness, hiking, backpacking, climbing mountains, and kayaking, and playing with his grandchildren. Wali is dedicated to providing opportunities for people to deepen their spiritual lives including their relationship with the natural world.
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Tasnim Stupac(Experienced Farmer, current Ziraat Co-Vice President Europe)
Tasnim Stupac graduated from the Suluk Tuba class and since January 2023, serves as Vice President of the Inayatiyya Ziraat Activity in Europe. She studied history of Eastern Europe and Slavistics and is working with refugees and migrants for over 15 years. She is passionate about permaculture and is currently studying traditional European medicine. Tasnim was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is now living in Switzerland. -
Raqib Kittel(Experienced Farmer, current Ziraat Co-Vice President Europe)
Raqib Gerhard Kittel, is a long-time student of Pir Vilayat and Pir Zia. Former functions include the German Board and 25 years serving as the “feet” of the Sufi Centre in Nuremberg, together with friends.
Raqib currently coordinates the activities of Ziraat Europe. He is particularly enthusiastic about geomancy, humanism, and alchemy. Raqib lives with his wife and two daughters in Nuremberg. He works as a coach and therapist. -
Kainat Felicia NortonKainat Felica Norton (Experienced Farmer and Ziraat Vice President 2003 – 2021) served as Vice President of the Inayatiyya’s Ziraat Activity for eighteen years and is now Emeritus. She is a senior teacher, retreat guide, a mentor for leaders in training for the Inner School of the Inayatiyya, and she served on the faculty of Suluk Academy. She has toured solo dance theater works in Europe, the US, Canada, Central America, and Asia. Felicia performed the one woman show NOOR, based on the life of Noor Inayat Khan, in Edinburgh, London, UK, NYC, and France. Felicia teaches at the United Nations International School in NYC. She is co -author with Charles Muinuddin Smith, of the book An Emerald Earth recently translated into French Une Terre & Émeraude. They co-lead the Inayatiyya Center in New York City and offer retreats and programs worldwide. Emerald Earth Website http://www.anemeraldearth.org
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Shahabuddin David LessShahabuddin David Less (Experienced Farmer and Ziraat Vice President 1993 – 2003) is a global spiritual teacher of over forty-five years, with a focus on meditation, conflict resolution and interfaith dialog. He was one of the initial directors of Ziraat in North America when it was officially re-established within the Sufi Order by Pir Vilayat in the ‘80s. Shahabuddin was a senior teacher in the Inayatiyya until 2020 serving in many and varied roles, as Lead for the Ziraat Activity North America and as the Global Dean of the Universal Worship from 2008 – 2018. In 2005, Shahabuddin co-founded the Abrahamic Reunion, a cutting-edge interfaith group bringing together the four principal religions of the Holy Lands–Jews, Arabs, Christians and Druze to promote religious and cultural understanding and lasting peace. He continues to be active in this work as chairman of the board. Rising Tide International, a nondenominational meditation and consciousness center in Sarasota, FL, was established by Shahabuddin, along with David Less Tours. When not leading meditation tour groups to holy sites or teaching his long-time students, he guides individual retreats. Universal Meditations – Recipes for A Peaceful Mind – written by Shahabuddin and the related website are invaluable resources for anyone interested in Ziraat.
