June 14, 2023

Dear Friends of the Abode,

We are delighted to announce a new chapter for the Abode of the Message! On Tuesday, June 13th, New York State approved the transfer of sole membership of The Abode of the Message, Inc. from the Inayatiyya to Friends of South Family, Inc. 

This will mean that Friends of South Family, Inc. shall have the power to appoint the board members of the Abode of the Message, Inc. and that the Abode of the Message, Inc., founded in 1975 by Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Taj Inayat, and dedicated murids, shall continue in operation without the sale of any of its land or buildings. The Inayatiyya shall have no further involvement with governance or operation of the Abode of the Message, Inc.

Friends of South Family, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation formed by a dedicated group with the mission to preserve and honor the Abode’s legacy, has appointed a new Abode Board which shall re-open and re-organize the Abode so that it may flourish for years to come.

This transfer allows the Inayatiyya to focus on its mission to spread far and wide throughout the world the experience of the divinity of the soul and the interrelatedness of all beings.

As we move forward, inquiries about the Abode may go to director@theabode.org. Any inquiries about the Inayatiyya may go to trustees@inayatiyya.org. 

We would like to extend special appreciation to the Abode staff who have been patient and steadfast in their care for the buildings and land, as well as the local community for their unwavering support of the Abode.

The three organizations pray for shared success as we move forward along our respective paths.

Toward the One!

The Sufi Order/Inayatiyya Board of Trustees: Pir Zia Inayat Khan, President, Yaqin Aubert, Vice President, Noor Amina Peterson, Chair, Sohrob Nabatian, Vice Chair, Khatidja Rodriguez-Ruiz, Secretary & Treasurer, Basir Yasi, Rashid Gilbane, and Shams al Haqq Farzad Attar Jaffari

The Friends of South Family Board of Directors: Whitney L. Scott, President, Kimberly Taj Martel, Vice President, Albert Bellenchia, Secretary, Christopher Steadman, Treasurer, Blair Mahbub Davis, and Aimée Brodeur Johnson

The Abode of the Message Board of Directors: Blair Mahbub Davis, President, Albert Bellenchia, Secretary, Christopher Steadman, Treasurer, Aimée Brodeur Johnson