Speakers

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  Wali Via
  

  Wali Via

  Wali 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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  Jamia Haqq
  

  Jamia Haqq

  Jamia Haqq (Experienced Farmer and Ziraat Co-Vice President 2024 – ).
  Jamia Haqq (Eila Paul) of Tainui descent has been walking a spiritual path all her life. Introduced to the Inayatiyya in 1997 she was soon initiated by the late Murshida Halima McEwan at the Sharda Centre, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Through her Maori heritage, having a strong connection with nature drew her to the Inayatiyya’s annual Summer Camp in Switzerland in 2002, where she was initiated into Ziraat by Pir Zia. In the last 15 years she has been a trustee, and at times custodian and kaitiaki/guardian, of the Sharda Centre, caring for the beautiful natural native forest, stream and visitors with an outward expression of her inner path.

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  Shakur Don Johnson
  

  Shakur Don Johnson

  Shakur Don Johnson is part of the Ziraat Council of the Inayatiyya. Shakur was initiated into Ziraat in 1979 by Pir Vilayat Khan. He has been actively involved in Ziraat doing monthly Ziraat classes and Lodges for 42 years. He is the Head of Ziraat at the Abode of the Message. His talent is in service to Ziraat and the Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan in projects that increase the connection to our planet, and bring us together in celebrating connection and respect for the Earth.

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  Alexia Allen
  

  Alexia Allen

  Alexia Allen is made out of Hawthorn Farm, where she eats and works. Together with her husband and a multi-generational “farmily,” she orchestrates goats and gardens to sustain the household. The biggest test of this was in 2017, when she and her husband, Hamid Daniel Kirchhof, spent the entire year eating only hand-harvested food, most of it local. The journey for joyful food ecology continues! What does your sunlight taste like?

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  Aziza Charlotte Barker-Stanton
  

  Aziza Charlotte Barker-Stanton

  Aziza Charlotte Barker-Stanton has been involved with the Sufi path since taking bayat in the Healing Order with Himayat Inayati in 1980, in the Sufi Order with Pir Vilayat Khan in 1982, and subsequently with Wahhab Sheets and Shahabuddin Less, her longtime guide and friend. A Suluk graduate, Aziza is a Representative and Inner School Retreat Guide, Ziraat Farmer, Knight of Purity, Healing Conductor and Healing Retreat Guide. Aziza has been serving on the Ziraat Council for 4 years. Aziza lives with her husband where the Rio Grande River meets the Gulf of Mexico on lands of the Carrizo Comecrudo. She has a healing practice at her center Laguna Madre Yoga and Wellness on South Padre Island, Texas.

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  Saraswati Andrea Burke
  

  Saraswati Andrea Burke

  Andrea Burke, Saraswati, is a mother and gardener residing on the South Coast in Oregon. She has been an active servant of the Message of Inayat Khan since her initiation in 1986. She is a graduate of the Suluk Class, Na Koja Abad, a Ziraat Farmer, and a Coordinator for the Inayatiyya.

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  Maryam Neil
  

  Maryam Neil

  Maryam Neil was Initiated into the Inayatiyya in 2016. Prior to this she was active in the Ruhaniat within the Dances of Universal Peace. Maryam completed Suluk in 2022. She participates as a Coordinator, Healing Conductor, Cherag and is active in the Music Activity in Oceania. Maryam lives in Brisbane, Queensland and has 4 children and 4 grandchildren.