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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  Nehmat Kyan
  

  Nehmat Kyan

  Nehmat Bev Kyan (Experienced Farmer and Ziraat Co-Vice President 2024 – ) was initiated as an Experienced Farmer by Pir Zia in January 2023 and has held the Ziraat Activity for the Australian Message Council since 2011. Her curiosity and interest in Ziraat was kindled through the Salutations Ritual and the Words of the Lodge Ceremony in the Herb Garden at the Abode where she lived for 15 months in 2007/8. She has been involved in Inayatiyya activities for over 20 years, and is a graduate of the Alif and Na-koja-abad Suluk classes. She is an active member of the Healing and Universal Worship Activities. She lives on the Central Coast a little north of Sydney and brings the Australian and Oceanian Ziraat family and friends together once a month for a Lodge by zoom, sharing her love of nature, contemplation of the elements and natural cycles of life and inner guidance from elemental beings, with a uniquely Australian flavour.

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  Kainat Felicia Norton
  

  Kainat Felicia Norton

  Kainat 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 Less
  

  Shahabuddin David Less

  Shahabuddin 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.