A Letter From Two Longtime Murids

Re The Sale of the Abode:

A letter from two long time murids endorsing the proposal as put forth by Akbar Scott.

To the Inayatiyya Board

c/o Nur Amina Peterson, Chair

Dear Nur Amina,

We write with a full understanding of the need for the Inayatiyya to be free of the financial and managerial responsibility for the Abode of the Message. With this understanding, we feel that the proposal put forth to the Board by the Friends of South Family, would make this possible, and we wish to strongly endorse this proposal as put forth by Akbar Scott.

The proposal offered clears the way for the preservation of all or some part of the Abode, and hence its continuity as a powerful center and hub of the Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Theincorporated charitable organization, Friends of South Family, consists of astute and mature members of the Inayatiyya and others, who have a strong desire and willingness to take managerial and physical responsibility for the Abode land.

Now more than ever the values and aspirations that stream from the worship and teachings of the Message, embodied within theAbode, need to be affirmed and maintained. The adoption of the proposal referenced above would send a very clear message of the intents and purposes of the Inayatiyya, giving precedence to eternal values and the preservation of the sacred earth over short term economic pressures, as reflected in Murshid’s Ziraatteaching, “…fertile soil is more valuable than gold”. This precedence is fully consistent with the Inayatiyya’s initiative and focus on “The Call of the Earth”, which is central to Pir Zia’s teachings.

Finally, at the most practical and heartfelt level, the conservation of the Abode’s sacred lands has been an aspiration and focus since its inception (and prior via the Shakers and Native Peoples). Murshid continually warned about the rising dangers of materialism, with “the present spirit of humanity [with] commercialism as its crown and materialism as its throne.” To provide for a continuing stewardship of the Abode and to offer a continuing place of worship would be a most profound expression of the call of the Message. There is no doubt that such a clear expression of support for the proposal is fully aligned with the Inayatiyya’s deepest values.

Thank you and with deep respect for your service and consideration..