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 31st. 

If you give between now and Giving Tuesday on November 30th, 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