If you have any news to share about births and deaths, or if you have written a book or composed a piece of music you think our community would be interested in, please send it to zephyr@inayatiyya.org with the subject heading “News of the Caravan.” Photos are welcome.
TED Talk by IIB member Tariq Al-Olaimy
“If we are to navigate it with skill and grace, the new historical territory we are collectively entering–the Novacene–is going to require of us a deepening initiation into Earthic wisdom.”
– Pir Zia Inayat Khan
Here is a TED Conference Talk by the Inayatiyya Global Board member Tariq Al-Olaimy that shines a light on what matters at this time of climate crisis and the purposeful action we take.
Remembrances
Chantal – Theoclea Vogèle
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Chantal – Theoclea Vogèle, who left us on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in Paris, at the age of 88. An iconic figure at Fazal Manzil, the home of the Inayat Khans in Suresnes, she left a lasting mark on our Sufi community.
In 1969, while working at UNESCO and exploring Greek wisdom, particularly Pythagoreanism, in response to a mystical quest, Theoclea attended a lecture by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan at the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. She submitted her “most essential question” to him on a piece of paper.
All of a sudden, the walls disappeared, light flooded in, “Everything was light!” This experience led her, the following year, to be initiated into the Sufi Order under the guidance of Pir Vilayat. She then joined a circle of companions, including Pierre-Murad Rousseau, Claude-Shah Nawaz Hulot, and Nicolas-Kiss Alexandre, with whom she attended—when she was not traveling—the meditations given by Pir Vilayat.
In 1971, she attended the “Camp des Aigles,” Pir Vilayat’s meditation camp facing the Mer de Glace in Chamonix. Enthusiastic about the interfaith meetings he had been organizing since 1965, she became fully involved in their organization and, became in 1980 his “right-hand woman.”
In 1982, the centenary year of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s birth, she organized at Fazal Manzil the initiation ceremony as head of the Brotherhood of the Message of Pir Zia Inayat Khan, Pir Vilayat’s eldest son, in the presence of religious representatives and Christian Dupuy, the mayor of Suresnes.
That same year, she facilitated the Dalai Lama’s visit to France: she co-organized with the Tibet Bureau the “Assas Faculty Meeting,” bringing together the Dalai Lama, Pir Vilayat, and religious dignitaries, including the Apostolic Nuncio of Rome, around a powerful symbol: the collective lighting of candles from a central candle.
In 1983, she participated in drafting the statutes of the association L’Universel, of which she was a founding member and secretary, with Pir Vilayat as president. L’Universel is the legal structure that will enable Hazrat Inayat Khan’s vision to become a reality: L’Universel-Mémorial Noor, a place of gathering and peace. With the help of Nigel-Huzur Hamilton, another founding member from England, she oversaw the acquisition of the land adjacent to Fazal Manzil, enabling the construction of the sanctuary. She left her position as secretary in 1985 and was replaced by Catherine – Satya Poindron.
In 1988, the third building permit for the Universal-Memorial Noor, presented by architect Hervé Baley and named “Sculpture Garden in Memory of Madeleine,” was accepted by the Suresnes City Council. Once again secretary of L’Universel in 1990, Theoclea oversaw the construction of L’Universel-Mémorial Noor, where the cornerstone of the original building, blessed in 1926 by Pir-Ô-Mûrshid, found its place. The consecration ceremonies, which she planned, took place in the presence of Pir Vilayat, Mûrshid Hidayat, Pir Zia, and other leaders and lasted three days.
Every year, Theoclea organized interfaith dialogues in the white tents next to the khanqah, attracting an ever-growing audience. In 2000, she ended her term as secretary with a memorable meeting in the Senate on the theme of “God and Death,” moderated by Patrick Levy.
Even at an advanced age, she remained a diligent student at the Suluk Academy, Zindarud class, spending 40 days deepening her understanding of Pir Zia’s teachings. In 2019, Pir Zia entrusted her with reviving the Universal Adoration branch, which she revitalized with Shaffya and Viviane – Tasnim Tourtet, the current leader. Until last year, she welcomed the Cherags and ceremony participants into her home, preparing the altar with contagious joy. Theoclea also contributed to the French translation of Hazrat Inayat Khan’s writings.
Her spirit of service, devotion, and boldness embodied the message of spiritual freedom, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her.
A Universal Worship was organised in her memory on December 20th in the Khanqah in Fazal Manzil.
Wahdud Grashuis
Legina Grashuis (1934 – 2025), with the Sufi name ‘Wahdud’ (the loving one), left this earthly realm on December 29, 2025. She was associated for more than 40 years with the Sufi Centre in The Hague at the Anna Pauwlownastraat where she performed many different tasks. These varied from taking care of the daily affairs in the centre, caring for the altar for the Universal Worship service held on Sundays, to making the booklets with the texts to be read. She also provided administration services for the centre. She did all this with enormous attention, focus and precision. For many years, she also sold Hazrat Inayat Khan’s books in Murad Hassil in Katwijk. As a result, she was a well-known figure to many Sufis in the Netherlands and abroad. She will be sorely missed.
