Universal Worship and Sama Celebrating Hejirat Day and the Urs of Noor-un-Nisa
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Via Zoom & In-Person
The Inayatiyya Hudson Valley Center warmly welcomes you to join in a day of worship, sacred music, readings, storytelling, and an Indian themed brunch and afternoon refreshments commemorating two very special events. One is the bringing of the message of Universalist Sufism to the United States (1910) by Indian mystic and musician, Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan, and the other is the departure from this world (1944) of his daughter, mystic, poet and World War II heroine, Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan.
This celebration will be held at the Abode of the Message in New Lebanon on the anniversary date of these events, September 13th, beginning at 11 and concluding at 3:00, followed by refreshments. The public is welcome. The musical program will feature New York City based, New England Conservatory of Music alumni, Sarmad Wes Matthews with local musicians Salima Amanda McCall, Rehan Ryan Morey, and Attar Loreto Messina, and a special selection sung by Gayatri Hull. Both the 11:00 a.m. Universal Worship Service and the 1:30 p.m. afternoon program will be provided in person, and on zoom at this link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83786313383#success
Sarmad Wes Matthews studied composition and improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music. His early work included performances by ensembles including the Minnesota Orchestra, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and A Far Cry Chamber Orchestra. Initiated into the Inayatiyya in 2014, Sarmad is a Coordinator and also a “Farmer” (cultivator of spirit and sacred connection with earth) in its Ziraat Activity. He serves as music director for the Light of Guidance Center in New York City. In addition, having established a career outside of music, he is now quietly returning to composition and performance with a focus on original musical settings of the texts of Hazrat Inayat Khan.
Rehan Ryan Morey and Salima Amanda McCall are longtime members of the Abode community and devoted students of Sufism. Both trained under Pir Zia Inayat Khan and are graduates of the Suluk Academy, grounding their spiritual path in deep study and embodied practice. They have been playing music and leading Zikr together for over a decade.
Attar Loreto Messina is a skilled musician, having studied and performed in a variety of venues over many years. He plays flute, clarinet, frame drum, conga and darbuka and plays regularly for the Dances of Universal Peace at the Abode and in Chatham, NY. He first had the privilege of playing for the Dances of Universal Peace in New York City in the 1970’s under the leadership of Shahabuddin Less, from whom he learned many of Murshid Samuel Lewis’s original sacred dances. A long time student of Sufism, Attar is a Suluk Academy graduate and a cherag (ordained minister) who enjoys offering musical attunements and sharing scripture readings at the Abode’s Universal Worship Services. He is also a zakir (leader of zikrs). He has had the extraordinary experiences of doing zikr with the Mevlevi, Helveti, and Jerrahi dervishes, which deeply enriched his understanding of that sacred practice. With Salima and Rehan, he now offers zikrs monthly on most first Wednesday evenings at the Abode.
Gayatri Hull has been a certified representative and retreat guide within the Inayatiyya for more than 30 years. She has set some of Hazrat Inayat Khans’s words to music and composed sacred songs of remembrance. Gayatri’s work combines the retreat process with healing as a tuning of body, heart, mind and soul; awakens one to the deeper nature of one’s inner being; increases balance, self-care, restoration, rejuvenation, vitality, and an overall sense of wellbeing; and invites those seeking solitude to ask: what is it I want to do with my one wild and precious life? www.GayatriHull.com
Seating for the 12:30 p.m. brunch for this event is limited to 40. Please be sure to register for the brunch at www.theabode.org . Check their website for the opening of registration.
Draft Event Schedule
| 11:00 – 12:15 | Universal Worship Service | Rev. Yaqin Joseph Aubert and Ministerial Friends |
| 12:30 – 1:30 | Brunch | Abode Chef Amber |
| 1:30 – 1:45 | Welcome History & Story Sharing “Song to the Madzub” | Atayna Diane Austen Yaqin Joseph Aubert Gayatri Hull |
| 1:45 – 3:15 | Hearts Ablaze | Musicians: Sarmad Wes Matthews Salima McCall Rehan Morey Attar Loreto Messina Gayatri Hull |
| Closure | Sufi Benediction | |
| 3:15 – 4:15 | Refreshments |
Inayatiyya Hudson Valley Center 