Activities





The Universal Worship Service

"The mission of the Sufi Message is that, instead of giving a new form of worship, it collects all forms in one, so that no one may say, 'My form of worship is left out.' It gives examples so that the followers of all religions may worship at the same time. It also brings all teachers known and unknown to the world as different beads in the same rosary. Imagine this idea spreading and penetrating through those separated because of differences of faith! Is there any human being who does not wish that there should be one truth and one idea of God understandable to all? This is not a new religion to upset the thoughtful, to give shock to minds who are tranquil, to hearts that feel deeply. This is the Message that will agree with their deepest longing and it is with that hope that we have the necessity of the Message of today. "

Hazrat Inayat Khan
The Universal Worship is one of the five concentration activities of the Sufi Order and is the ceremony offered for worship services. It is so named because its purpose is to promote the unity of religious ideals, to give an opportunity to those belonging to different religions to worship together, and to discover that there is one source from which all scriptures have come.

In this ceremony, a lighted candle represents the One Being. From this candle, other candles are lighted, representing spiritual traditions of the world, known and unknown. Readings, chants, songs or dances are provided to give participants an experience from each tradition. A reading from Hazrat Inayat Khan is given, along with certain prayers. The emphasis is on the unity of religious ideals.

The Universal Worship is offered monthly in Rochester as part of "Eat, Dance and Pray" and on second Sundays at 10:30 a.m.; please see calendar for location and time.

For more information you can contact any one of our Cherags: Jabbar Rick Briggs, Wadud Henry Cretella, Zaynab Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Amina Linda Hall and Rahima Karen Keenan.