Beneficence

29 November 2022

Dear friends on this path,

Our caravan is once again approaching the culmination of another cycle around the sun. Some of you may be traveling to spend time with family, chosen or biological, in preparation for holidays and vacations. It is in this atmosphere that we observe Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to giving back to those institutions that have nourished our lives and enriched the world. This time of year is one of coming together, of gratitude and reflection. A time to look back on what has been and look forward to what is to come in the New Year.

Over the past couple of years, much has emerged, and continues to emerge, within the Inayatiyya. When confronted with the pandemic, we did not contract apart. Instead, we reached outward, amplifying the voice of our community through new modes of connectivity. Healing circles met virtually around the globe. We have begun to examine our network of Kinship, seeking out the places where mending is needed, and commencing that work. Universal Worship, Music, and the other Activities have expanded into the plane of the virtual. We continue to grow.

I have been a murid along this path for well over a decade now, and I feel gratitude for the opportunities and experiences that I have had along the way. I have had the privilege of attending retreats where I sat in the presence of our Pir Zia and other honored teachers of our lineage. I have participated in camps, celebrations, and performances that have steeped my soul in a beautiful fragrance that will linger with me forever. When I think back on these gatherings, I consider the immensity of time and devotion required for them to take place and the countless hours of staff, faculty, and volunteer effort that were necessary for each one.

I have been transformed by the influence of Murshid’s teachings and the Inayatiyya in my life. I have received countless blessings through my fellowship in the Inayatiyya. In gratitude and in hope, I give back to our community each year. I give back, so that the Message may continue to find those who hear its call, and that those individuals may have the same opportunity for community and belonging that I have been given.

Giving back to the Inayatiyya supports the continuation of our community into the future. This Giving Tuesday, I ask that each of you reflect upon your own journey within the Inayatiyya and the impact it has made for you. Consider all that was needed to make those experiences a reality. Today, I ask that you give your monetary pledge of support, that those experiences may continue to illuminate the hearts of others, and that we may continue to spread the message of love, harmony, and beauty far and wide.

With gratitude,

Khatidja Rodriguez-Ruiz
Treasurer, Inayatiyya Board North America

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Khatidja Rodriguez-Ruiz has been a murid in the Inayatiyya since 2008. She is a graduate of the Suluk Academy (Naubahar) and a member of the Kinship Council. Khatidja received her B.I.S. in Sociology and Public Policy from the University of Virginia. Professionally, she is a fundraising strategist in higher education and the performing arts. She is also a musician and uses improvised music and theater as a conduit to support local activism and the arts. She believes  that unity is found through the weaving of diverse ideals to build a tapestry of love, harmony, and beauty. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her husband.

The Inayatiyya is a non-profit 501c3 organization, Tax ID #23-7159641. Your donation may be fully deductible for tax purposes per United States IRS guidelines. Online donations may be made via inayatiyya.org/donate. If you would like to donate via check, please make payable to the Inayatiyya, 112 E. Cary Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Thank you!

DONATE TODAY

The Inayatiyya is a non-profit 501c3 organization, Tax ID #23-7159641. Your donation may be fully deductible for tax purposes per United States IRS guidelines.

7 December 2021

Dear friends, 

As we approach year’s end, the Inayatiyya’s North American Board sends greetings!  

During this time of rapid change, like you we have been riding the waves of unpredictable day-to-day rhythms and sensibilities. We have heard the timely call for the Message and have responded with new opportunities for inspiration, care and connection. During 2020 and 2021, the Inayatiyya has developed its capacity to:

• More vigorously support Pir Zia so that he can lead this movement with relevant teachings grounded in our lineage.

• Design and implement systems to organize, promote, coordinate, digitize and archive programs from the Inayatiyya’s Seven Activities and various affinity groups. 

• Prepare a three-year strategy for 2022 to 2025, drafting an “Inayatiyya 2025 Adaptive Plan” setting the groundwork for Murshid’s legacy into the future (to be finalized early 2022).

Even with our progress, we face new challenges. How do we continue to answer the ever-growing cry? 

• With increased public awareness of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s teaching, and resultingly, higher numbers of new seekers, ashiqs and murids, it is paramount that we reexamine the process of entry into the Inayatiyya.

• Also, that we further encourage and develop new leadership to best support our growing community. 

• Much of this effort involves enhanced digital presence and systems. 

• Ongoing uncertainty requires special planning, flexibility and resilience.

Individually and collectively, the North American Board desires to contribute to the Inayatiyya in a way that makes sense, to find our place in this global movement. What carries us forward is determination and faith. We dedicate not just our time and conviction, but our financial gifts. 

So far, with many thanks to you, we have raised $212,206 toward our Fall Appeal 2021 goal of $250,000. We have an additional $37,894 to raise by Friday, December 31^st. If you haven’t already, will you join us in meeting this goal? 

As a way to bring us together this holiday season, in the deep attunement of our lineage, anyone who gives to the appeal (any amount) by Monday, December 20^th will be invited to a Solstice Season of Light Meditation & Zikr with Pir Zia, scheduled for Tuesday, December 21^st at 3 pm EST/9 pm CET.  

Thank you for all that you give and do, inwardly and outwardly.

In loving service,
Noor Amina Peterson
Incoming Board Chair & Current Treasurer

Inayatiyya North America Board Members include Pir Zia Inayat Khan, President; Yaqin Aubert, Vice President: Mellen Kennedy, Chair, 2018-2021; Sohrob Nabatian, Vice Chair; Khatidja Rodriguez-Ruiz, Secretary; Noor Amina Peterson, Treasurer; and Adel Chefridi, Trustee.

30 November 2021

Dear Friends,

The sun, moon, and stars give light … 

We gather today for Giving Tuesday, a worldwide celebration of generosity. Over the last three weeks, so many of you have shown your immense generosity by helping us successfully meet, and then exceed!, a matching a gift of $50,000. Thank you for donating an amazing $61,854 in a very short amount of time. 

As of this morning, together with the match itself, and including several multi-year pledges, we have raised $204,424 toward this year’s appeal. Our overall appeal goal is $250,000. It is our hope to raise another $45,576 by December 31st, 2021. 

If you have benefited by the offerings of the Inayatiyya, from Murshid’s teaching and the reassurance of spiritual community, please consider giving a gift this year. All gifts — of any amount — received by Monday, December 20th will include an invitation to a special Solstice Season of Light Meditation & Zikr w/ Pir Zia on Tuesday, December 21st, 3-4:15 pm EST/9-10:15 pm CET.*

May we share in light this coming Solstice!

With deepest appreciation,
Alia for the Inayatiyya

9 November 2021

Dear Companions,

We feel immense gratitude for our community, always and especially during the past 20 months. Our spiritual link is a lifeline, connecting us upwardly through the transmission of our lineage, and outwardly as we join in a timeless and transformative friendship. 

Today we look toward the future. What happens next? What are we to become? Will we ever see one another in person again?! The internet is a magical, mysterious place, yet there are other worlds to explore! May we enter into these new worlds together in 2022. God willing. 

Of course, some of us are gathering already, seeing one another in person, for guidance and classes. Likely most of us are in the process of carefully reentering the world. Or not. It may be one step forward and one step back, depending on where we live, health considerations, and the inner and outer advice we individually receive. 

Recognizing the ongoing uncertainty, we have begun planning for the next few years with hope and optimism. The Inayatiyya of North America Board of Trustees have been collaborating closely with Pir Zia on a strategic plan for 2022-2024, one that is adaptive, meaning that it might change as circumstances evolve and insights arise. 

Over the last six months, we have met online with many groups within the Inayatiyya, inviting feedback on our strategy. We expect a final plan to be in place by early next year. As of right now, we can say that several priorities seem clear:

• Highlighting the Inayatiyya as the primary source for the authentic teachings and transmission of Hazrat Inayat Khan, Noor Inayat Khan, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, and Pir Zia Inayat Khan. 

• Refining our online offering of programs, featuring teachings from Pir Zia and the Inayatiyya’s Seven Activities – the Inner School, Universal Worship, Kinship, Healing, Ziraat, Knighthood, and Music –  as well as further integrating the Seven Activities in North America into the Astana as a central administrative hub. Also continuing to engage various affinity groups including Anjuman i Islam, Race, Justice, Equity & Love (RJEL), Queer Pride, and Young Adults. (70+ online programs are planned for 2022, offering 300+ separate gatherings.)

• Reentering the world with a series of in-person gatherings as appropriate, including the German Easter Retreat (April 14-18), Season of the Rose (July 1-6) and Inayatiyya Labor Day Retreat (September 2-5), both at the Abode, Zenith Institute (July 24-August 6), Universal Worship Convocation in Richmond, Virginia and online (September 28-October 2), and with Pir Zia Seminars in Katwijk, the Netherlands (August 19-21), Berkeley, California (November 4-6) and Paris, France (December 2-4).

• Turning the spotlight onto the many devoted Inayatiyya teachers, guides, and centers as resources offering one-on-one support and group programs, online, in-person, and hybrid. 

• Redesigning how we connect with, orient, and support those sincerely drawn to Murshid’s teachings, especially people new to us, ashiqs, and murids. 

• Upgrading our digital platforms – websites, email lists, social media, audio and video (including a greater presence on Soundcloud & Youtube) – to most warmly welcome people into our community, answer key questions, and explore Murshid’s teachings.  

• Preparing a thoughtful leadership succession plan to meet current and future needs.

• Providing Pir Zia with necessary resources and staff support for his work. 

If you are able, we invite you to support our next steps by giving toward our annual appeal. We hope to raise $250,000 by December 31^st. 

If you give between now and Giving Tuesday on November 30^th, a generous donor has offered a match of $50,000. (This means that all donations received by the end of this month will be matched dollar for dollar, with $50,000 becoming $100,000.)

As ever, please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about giving towards our appeal. You can reach me at alia@inayatiyya.org. Alternatively, you are also welcome to reach out to Josh at astana@inayatiyya.org, who might be able to respond a little more quickly.

May we only become closer, to one another and to what is most important – to our relationship with the indescribable One.

With love,

Jennifer Alia Wittman
Executive Director