Pir Zia Inayat Khan in Boston November 30 and December 1-2, 2012

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Imam Salim Chishti

Pir Zia Inayat-Khan

The Heart’s Vocation

Weekend Meditation Seminar

with Pir Zia Inayat-Khan

All are Welcome!

Cost: $225.00 / $120.00 one day

Early Registration by November 5th: $190.00

Free for MIT Students

For more information, or to arrange financial aid, email theheartsvocation@gardenlight.org

or phone 617-522-0800

 

 

December 1 & 2, 2012

10:00AM – 4:00PM

MIT Wong Auditorium

70 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA

What would it mean to think, speak, and act from the heart?

How would such a reorientation affect one’s way of life, relationships, emotions, and identity itself? Through conscious breath, sacred sound and movement, prayer, and meditation, the transformational implications of focalizing consciousness in the heart will be explored.

Pir Zia is a scholar and teacher of Sufism in the lineage of his grandfather, Hazrat Inayat Khan. He is the president and spiritual leader of the Sufi Order International and founder of Seven Pillars House of Wisdom. He established the Suluk Academy, a school of contemplative study with branches in the United States and Europe. Pir Zia holds a doctoral degree in Religion from Duke University, is a recipient of the U Thant Peace award, and is a Lindisfarne Fellow. His anthology A Pearl in Wine was published in 2001. His forthcoming book Saracen Chivalry; Counsels on Valor, Generosity and the Mystical Quest will be published in November, 2012.

To register, please go to www.gardenlight.org.

Scholarship discounts are available, if you need one, please contact us.

To contact us email theheartsvocation@gardenlight.org or phone 617-522-0800

Co-sponsored with MIT Prajnopaya.

via Sufi Order of Greater Boston Constellation of Light.

Also with Pir Zia:

Ethics as a Nexus between Islam and the West

A Talk by Pir Zia Inayat-Khan

Followed by dialogue with Pir Zia Inayat-Khan
and Tenzin Priyadarshi of the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values

Friday, November 30th, 7 PM

Stata Center Auditorium ( 32-123 ), Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Whereas religious systems differ markedly in their theological views and ritual practices, the world’s religions and enlightened philosophical traditions find themselves in perfect accord on the essential importance of ethical integrity. At a time when the Islamic world and the West seem locked in an interminable symbolic conflict fraught with global peril, the ethical values that unite Islam and the West are a timely topic for exploration and celebration.

All are welcome to attend this free event.

Sponsored by the Dalai Lama Center for Ethics and Transformative Values.

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Medina: Saudis take a bulldozer to Islam's history – Middle East – World – The Independent

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Imam Salim Chishti

Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina

We must do something about this! I cried when I read this article even though I had known about this before from other presentations. We will loose our heritage because of the greed of the Saudi government. Their authoritarian rule has already destroyed the Prophet’s (saw) birthplace and the house he lived in with his beloved Khadija.

They long ago destroyed Jannat al Baqi because of their misguided misinterpretation of Islam. This is already lost, these important historic places must be preserved. There are many ways to do this and still expand the Masjid. Muslim and other historians, archaeologists and conservators should petition the UNESCO to make both Medina and Mecca world heritage sites!

These places should be preserved for humanity – they are the birthplaces of Islam, a religion now practiced by 1.6 billion people around the world, certainly these people deserve to have the heritage preserved! Read the article here or use the link below to get to the original article in the Independent, UK.

the Authorities are building a mosque so big it will hold 1.6m people – but are demolishing irreplaceable monuments to do it

Jerome Taylor

Friday 26 October 2012

Three of the world’s oldest mosques are about to be destroyed as Saudi Arabia embarks on a multi-billion-pound expansion of Islam’s second holiest site. Work on the Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, where the Prophet Mohamed is buried, will start once the annual Hajj pilgrimage ends next month. When complete, the development will turn the mosque into the world’s largest building, with the capacity for 1.6 million worshipers.

But concerns have been raised that the development will see key historic sites bulldozed. Anger is already growing at the kingdom’s apparent disdain for preserving the historical and archaeological heritage of the country’s holiest city, Mecca.  Most of the expansion of Masjid an-Nabawi will take place to the west of the existing mosque, which holds the tombs of Islam’s founder and two of his closest companions, Abu Bakr and Umar.

Just outside the western walls of the current compound are mosques dedicated to Abu Bakr and Umar, as well as the Masjid Ghamama, built to mark the spot where the Prophet is thought to have given his first prayers for the Eid festival. The Saudis have announced no plans to preserve or move the three mosques, which have existed since the seventh century and are covered by Ottoman-era structures, or to commission archaeological digs before they are pulled down, something that has caused considerable concern among the few academics who are willing to speak out in the deeply authoritarian kingdom.

Read more at Medina: Saudis take a bulldozer to Islam’s history – Middle East – World – The Independent.

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Abida Parveen gets lifetime achievement award

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Imam Salim Chishti
Abida Parveen

Abida Parveen

New Delhi: Sufi legend Abida Parveen was honoured with a lifetime achievement award here by Kaladharmi Begum Akhtar Academy of Ghazal.

Abida is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani singer of Sindhi descent and one of the foremost exponents of Sufi music.

Her songs include mainly ghazals, Urdu love tracks and her forte, Kafis, a classical form of Sufi poetry. Some of her hits are `Duma Dum Mast Qalandar`, `Teray Ishaq Nachaya`, `Latthe Di Chadar`, `Kuch Is Ada Se Aaj` and `Kafian Bulleh Shah`.

“I am honoured to receive a lifetime achievement award from the Begum Akhtar Academy of Ghazal. It is always and a proud moment when I get an award. Thank you,” said Abida, who received the award from Tripurari Sharan, Director General, Doordarshan.

After recieving the award, the 58-year-old was requested by her fans to sing, to which she obliged and enthralled the audience with her famous rendition `Lal meri pat rakhiyo bhala jhoole laalan`.

Born in a musical family, Abida received initial training from her father Ustaad Ghulam Haider which created the basis for her career.

She began her career with Radio Pakistan and gained new fans following her appearance in `Coke Studio`, a TV music programme that showcases collaborations between classical and rock artists.

During her career, Abida has been awarded both the `Pride of Performance` and the `Sitara-e-Imtiaz` by the Government of Pakistan.

via Abida Parveen gets lifetime achievement award.

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NY PEACE WALK | Silent Peace Walk Around Central Park // Sunday, October 7, 2012

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Imam Salim Chishti

World Peace

I encourage everyone who can to join in this peace walk! Please read the web page that I have cited below and come for as long as you can. This is a response to the violence that has been perpetrated over the “Innocence of Muslims” trailer and as a counter to Pamela Geller’s infamous poster campaign of promoting Islamophobia.

These peace walks are a long standing tradition in many parts of the world and are a legitimate outlet of free speech in the tradition of non violence. Insha’allah thousands will show their support for interfaith-intercultural peace building in our time. Unfortunately I cannot come due to my current health concerns but I hope you, each and every one of you, if you are close to New York City, take the time to participate in this event.

Below is the link to the web page and some excerpts from the home page.

NY PEACE WALK | Silent Peace Walk Around Central Park // Sunday, October 7, 2012.

NEW YORK CITY PEACE WALK

CENTRAL PARK

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2012

Please join us at 2:30 pm for an opening event with the walk leaders at the NY Academy of Medicine (1216 5th Avenue @ 103rd).

If you would like to attend this gathering, register here or simply join us at 4:00pm at the route

PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WORLDWIDE

FOR MUSLIMS, JEWS, CHRISTIANS, AND PEACE-MINDED PEOPLE OF ALL FAITHS 

PLEASE COME WALK TOGETHER

The first large US silent Peace Walk is being planned for Sunday, October 7, 2012 in New York City’s Central Park. Following an opening gathering at 2:30pm, the walk will circumnavigate continuously Central Park allowing participants to join along the way.  The walk is intended to be slow, beautiful and dignified, without flags or signage, an expression of the goodwill and friendliness of people who live together. It empowers us all to be peacemakers.  Instead of shouting in the name of peace, peace will be embodied by our quiet presence. ‘There is no way to peace, peace is the way’.

With over 8 million people living in New York City, it is one of the most densely populated and ethnically and religiously diverse cities in the world.  Home to over 100 ethnic groups, including several million Muslims and Jews, the walk is intended to demonstrate that people of all faiths and origins can live peacefully side by side. The peace we long for in the Middle East and Worldwide is actually possible. We call for the urgent cessation of violence in the Middle East and a serious and committed movement towards a sustainable and peaceful coexistence.

The walk will be led by Jack Kornfield, one of the leading Buddhist teachers in America, Dr. Stephen Fulder, founder of Middleway, an Israeli-Palestinian group applying mindfulness and spiritual insights to peacemaking, Rabbi Ingber, the Founder and Spiritual Director of Romemu, Daisy Khan, Bernie Glassman, Sheikha Fariha and many others.

Large silent peace walks have become famous in Israel and Palestine, for 10 years and Dr. Fulder has been a central teacher and visionary for these walks.

All communities are welcome and encouraged to join the walk.

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Imam Salim speaking at "Muslim Perspectives on Peacebuilding" conference Oct. 12-13, 2012

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Imam Salim Chishti

October 12-13, 2012

Claremont Lincoln University in Claremont, California is organizing a conference in October titled Muslim Perspectives on Peacebuilding. Imam Salim is honored to be chosen as one of the presenters at this two day conference.

Center for Global Peacebuilding Holds Groundbreaking Muslim Conference

Oct. 12-13, 2012

The Center’s first international conference, Muslim Perspectives on Peacebuilding, brings together extraordinary Muslim scholars and practitioners and scholars from diverse faith traditions and ethical approaches. Participants from all over the world will gather to present and exchange peacebuilding proposals. Sessions will provide interactive training on topics including reducing domestic violence, engaging across generations, handling interfaith conflicts when building masjids, using the arts in dialogue, developing peace studies programs, and the spiritual dimensions of peacebuilding.

You can read more about the conference here.

Imam Salim will be part of a panel discussion on Saturday afternoon called Spiritual Dimensions of Peacebuilding. You can download the entire program, with speakers bios as a PDF file.

The conference is free but you must register. If you are planning on going register early as space is limited.

I hope many of you will come, it will be nice to meet some of those who have supported Imam Salim’s work in the past.
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