Sermons

How to get to Peace

by Rev. Mumtaz Kammerer, Siraj – Universal Worship, Baltimore PA Let’s think about going on vacation – or a journey – or a trip – or a pilgrimage. First, we decide on the destination: where we’re going and what we’ll do, see, and/or visit there. Next, how are we going to get there? What’s our…
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Show me all your NEWS OF LOVE!

Show me ALL your news of love!  By Cathy Fattah! Layland (sermon for our February Universal Worship) Hafiz recommends we wake each morning with this thought, that these words be the first to cross our lips our very first exhalation each morning. What a wonderful way to awaken! Anticipating Love with a capital L! Exuding…
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Harvest Home

It’s that time of the year in the US of A we have Thanksgiving. It’s really a wonderful national holiday when we pause and give thanks for all we have, all the blessings we’ve received. It can also be a time of reflecting on those who are in need. How might we assist the weak,…
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Gratitude in a time of worldly strife

Reflections after an Interfaith Food Justice Programby Cathy Fattah! Layland Ah, Autumn!  The time of harvesting the fruits of our efforts of the preceding season.Abundance!Wonder.Gratitude. Pause reading and scrolling for a few moments to notice what comes up from your heart that you are grateful for. The second line of the Prayer for Peace says…
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40 Cherags The Universal Worship

From Akbar about Parliament

Dear friends seeing the One in many guises, I would highly recommend that every Cherag try to attend the Parliament of Religions at least once, if they have the opportunity!  It is an amazing convening to witness and be a part of, a gathering of representatives, leaders, and practitioners of so many of the world’s faiths, traditional beliefs,…
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Now is the Time to Turn Up the Light

I am standing in a long line waiting to vote again in the GA Senate run-offs. The stakes are a little different now from my last long wait line, and although the wait is not quite the valiant 5 hours I stood to vote for the 2020 general elections, it is still long and just…
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A critical moment when we can change history

This is an intense time.  Once again we face the reality of a world fragmented, polarized and terrorized by issues of blatant self-interest, lack of respect, lack of recognition or caring about differing perspectives, of disempowerment, and of the trampled dreams of those deemed lesser or other.  Because everything is interconnected, local as well as…
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The Inayatiyya Climate Statement

[The words below are the product of a working group formed to create a statement on climate change for the Order. The statement was approved by the World Wide Message Council and by Pir Zia Inayat Khan, President of the Universal Worship.] For the mystic, nature is bread and wine, the soul’s nourishment.… Every leaf…
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What can we do?

Violence, hatred, senseless killings in our world affect all of us and it seems as though these events are happening more and more. We’re especially feeling the shock and sorrow of the attacks on people where they worship. Universal Worship of North America has sent our condolences and support to several groups of worshippers who…
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Memorial Day Remembrance Service

I’d like to share with you a public Memorial Day Remembrance service that we have held in Rochester for the last 14 years. The purpose of the service is to help lay to rest the impressions of war and violence. You may wish to consider a similar service in your area, or to hold this…
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Ramadan

For Muslims, Ramadan is the month in which the first verses of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad more than 1,400 years ago. During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset. This fasting is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to…
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Buddha Purnima

Buddha Purnima – the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvāṇa of the Buddha Shakyamuni The birthday of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is celebrated as Buddha Purnima across the world. It falls on a full moon day in the month of Vaisakh (April/May) according to the Hindu calendar. In Theravada Buddhism, it is also observed as…
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Universal Worship Board

Board of Trustees for Universal Worship The Board of Trustees for the Universal Worship met on February 4, 2017 in person & by video conference. The Members of the Board currently are Amina Hall (NY), Tara Muir (FL), Jessica Bromby (FL), Subhan Burton (GA), Daania Kester (CO), Jabbar Briggs (NY) and Lorell Frysh (GA). Amina…
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Greetings from Amina Hall

Dearest Cherags; I am writing from the northern hemisphere where the emergence of spring and the increasing light provides the prompt and the inspiration to reconnect and engage at a time when our role as divine lights is much needed. Fueled by the recognition that we are the lamps that hold the accommodation, the fire,…
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Universal Worship Transition News

Announcement of Transition from Pir Zia Dear Companions on the Path, Having recently met with the Worldwide Message Council at Fazal Manzil, I am writing to let you know of some transitions in the leadership of the Activities that comprise our international Order. Two Activity leaders are stepping down after serving with great dedication for…
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Who’s In Charge?

We feel capable of making decisions, of exercising our free will, and we hold everyone who is sane responsible for the choices they make.  This is the basis for our society, our legal system, business and a lot more besides.  At the same time, we know that God is a reality and that the reality…
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