Sufi School
Sufi School East 2008
September 5-8
We look forward to seeing you for Sufi School East soon. If you haven’t already registered, please come to the Farm of Peace and you can register when you arrive. Pre-registration is now closed.
Sufi School is a wonderful opportunity to be with Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal, head of the Higher Sufi Council in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and guide of the Shadhiliyya Sufi tariqa (path). Sufism is an ancient spiritual tradition based in the love of God, and Sidi, as a Sufi scholar and master healer, transmits the deep love of God to all.
The days of Sufi School are filled with teachings about Sufism and about walking to God’s reality. Many master teachers of the Shadhiliyya Tariqa will join Sidi. Each has a special presence and offering to assist all in understanding the teachings and opening to the surrender and trust of God. Everyone is welcome!
Cupping Technique Training: Mon., Sept. 8, with Dr. Wadude Laird and Rahima Schmall, Ph.D., R.N. This class is open to people who are promised and have a healthcare background (physicians, nurses, acupuncturists) and possibly others by permission. For information or to register, contact Amina Ally Knox at 301-920-1177. There will also be a cupping clinic for those who wish to receive a cupping healing.
REGISTRATION:
Please read this entire page so that you will have all the information you need.
Click here to download printable information about Sufi School East 2008
Please Scroll Down to Read About:
Site, Schedule, Costs, Accommodations, Children’s Camp, Travel, Airport Shuttle
Welcome to Sufi School East, held on the Farm of Peace in Warfordsburg, PA (6 miles west of Hancock, Maryland). The loving container created by the company of beloveds on this holy land provides an opportunity for deep spiritual walking and witnessing the Oneness of Allah. The four-day event brings Shadhiliyya Sufi teachings to those who seek knowledge of the Sufi Path, helping to deepen our walking. This year, we are blessed to have our guide, Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal, with us during the holy month of Ramadan.
SITE:
Our site is stunningly beautiful and yet rustic, with canvas tarp floors, dirt roads for strolling, port-a-potties, and picnic tables. In order to steward this beautiful land that Allah has given into our care, we invite everyone who comes to the Farm of Peace to “leave no trace.” Our goal is for Sufi School East to be a zero waste event. We will be setting aside many modern conveniences and worldly cares during the time we gather with Sidi. Our hope is that with preparation, you can use this natural setting to deeply walk closer to Allah. This year’s teachings will again take place in our beautiful mosque/teaching barn, insh’allah. Temperatures in late September range from the high 80s during the day to the low 50s at night. Bring a raincoat just in case.
PROGRAM:
This year, Sufi School East takes place during the holy month of Ramadan, when Sufis traditionally fast from food and water during daylight hours and engage in special prayers at the beginning and end of the day. Insh’allah, we will begin each morning with breakfast at 4:30 a.m. before we gather for Fajr prayer. (Breakfast is available at an additional cost of $16 per person per day.) Following Fajr, we will recite the daily Qu’ran reading together, along with the other morning prayers. Sidi usually begins teaching around 9 am. There will be lunch for those who are not fasting, followed by the afternoon teachings. We will all break our fast together following the Maghrib prayer in the evening, insh’allah.
In addition to the teaching sessions, there is usually time during the day to write stations, walk around the farm and neighboring woods, take a nap or do whatever is nurturing. We may be treated to some evening music or entertainment as well as classes on practices.
COST:
The cost for Sufi School is $120 per person per day, which includes dinner. Total for the four days is $480. On Friday, Sept. 5, anyone who has not met Sidi may attend Sufi School East free of charge. (Donations are most welcome to help offset event expenses.) Breakfast (at 4:30 a.m.) and lunch will be available for an additional charge.
WORK-STUDY:
Please note: If you are planning to do work-study, you will not be able to register on-line. There are two steps to your registration process: first contact Laila Kayce at laila@lailakayce.com or 304-258-6785 to set up your work-study position and contract; then, register directly with Maryam Whalen (you will not be able to register on-line) at maryam@maryamwhalen.com or 301-260-8643.
YOUR PARTICIPATION:
Sufi School East is organized and run almost entirely by volunteers from our local community. Our community is honored to be able to hold this container for so many beloveds to come and drink from the teachings of our guide and other teachers in our tariqa. In order to keep costs down and to allow all to participate in the teachings, we ask all participants to help out with a small daily chore. Upon arrival, please look for the participant volunteer sign-up. You will have a list from which to choose a time and way of giving.
CHILDREN’S CAMP/CHILDCARE:
We will again have a camp for children ages 2-14. There will be a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, service work, wildlife walks, etc. This year we will have some separate activities for pre-school, elementary and middle school aged children. The fee for the children’s camp is $30/day per child. Care for preschool-aged children will be coordinated on-site, with parents expected to volunteer in a rotating fashion to take care of their little ones. Meal charges for children are as follows: Free for children 5 and under; $13 per day for children 6-12; $38 per day for teens 13 and older.
If you choose not to have your children participate in the Camp, you must provide supervision for them at all times. The Farm of Peace is a working farm, and it is not safe for children to wander around unsupervised. Our Camp staff will not be able to supervise or accommodate children who are not part of the Camp.
TRAVEL:
The Farm of Peace is located off I-70 at Warfordsburg, PA.; this is just west of Hancock, Maryland. Click here for a map and directions.
Airports: Major vicinity airports are Baltimore-Washington International-BWI, 2 hours from the Farm, and Washington Dulles-IAD, 1.75 hours from the Farm. There is also a regional airport at Hagerstown, Md., about 35 miles from the Farm.
Shuttle From/To Airports: Shuttle service will be available from/to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI). It is approximately a 2-hour drive from each airport to the Farm. Shuttle cost is $60 per person each way ($30 per trip for children 14 and under). On September 4 and 5, the first available shuttle departs each airport at noon, and the last available shuttle departs each airport at 8 p.m., as needed by appointment only. On September 8 and 9, the first available shuttle will depart the Farm at 9 a.m., for flights no earlier than noon, and the last available shuttle will depart the Farm at 3 p.m. for flights departing 6 p.m. and later, as needed by appointment only. Please note that you will need to leave the Farm at least 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight departure.
To assist us in our planning, please reserve your shuttle as soon as possible. All shuttle requests must be received by noon on September 4. If you have questions or are ready to schedule your shuttle, please call Halima Willett at 301-662-3525.
ALL SHUTTLE REQUESTS MUST BE MADE BY SEPT. 3.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Hotels: Participants will make reservations directly with the selected hotel. You MUST identify yourself as part of the “Sufi School Group” to get the discounted rate.
- Days Inn Town Hill/Breezewood
- 9648 Old 126, Warfordsburg, PA 17267, 13 minutes, 7 miles from Farm of Peace
- 814 735-3860
- $55/night
- Super 8 Motel
- 118 Limestone Road, Hancock, MD 21750, 17 minutes, 11 miles from Farm of Peace
- 301 678-6101
- Thurs & Sun $64, Fri & Sat $74, $10 more per extra person in room per night
- Best Western
- 1776 Valley Road
- Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, 27 minutes, 18.09 miles from Farm of Peace
- 304 258-9400
- $69/night
- Hancock Motel
- 2 Blue Hl, Hancock, MD 21750, 15 minutes, 10 miles from Farm of Peace
- (301) 678-6108
- 2 double beds- Th & Sun $55, Fri & Sat $65; 1 queen bed- Th & Sun $52, Fri & Sat $62
Accommodations at the Farm:
We have plenty of port-a-potties and outdoor showers with hot water. Reserve and pay for your space when you register.
Camping: We have a number of campsites in the woods and have put down sand to create an even, soft camping site. The fee for a camping site is $15/night (bring your own tent and camping equipment).
Women’s and Men’s Dorms: We have dorm-style sleeping arrangements (separate space for men and women) in the upstairs of the teaching barn, for those who want to stay on site, but are not comfortable on the ground. We will provide thick, foam sleeping mats; you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. These will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee is $15/night/person.
NOTE: The dorm is getting very full, especially on Saturday night. Before you register for the dorm, please call Belqis at 304-258-9183 to make sure we still have space.
RVs, Camping, Trailers: Please let us know if you will be bringing your RV; parking space is available at $15 per night. There are no hookups.
WHAT TO BRING:
- A water bottle
- A cloth napkin
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen & sun-protective hat
- Umbrella and/or rain gear
- Shoes that are easy to remove
- Flashlight
For the health and safety of your pets, please make arrangements for them offsite.
Please note that we maintain a drug- and alcohol-free environment at the Farm of Peace.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:
TRASH POLICY:
We are committed to walking lightly on the earth, protecting our environment and minimizing the amount of trash resulting from our event. As we said above, we invite everyone who comes to the Farm of Peace to “leave no trace.” Our goal is for Sufi School East to be a zero waste event. Before you pack something disposable, ask yourself, “Is it recycleable? Is is compostable? Is it reusable?” If it’s not recycleable, reusable or compostable, we request that you please take it home with you (coffee cups, food wrappers, plastic bags, etc.).
GUEST POLICY:
This year we are offering free attendance (tuition and meals) on Friday, Sept. 5, to anyone who has never met Sidi. Guests are responsible for lodging and child care.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Upon written request to the registrar by 9/15/08, we will provide a refund of the amount you paid, less a $50 administrative fee per person. Send your written request to Maryam Whalen, 3369 Tanterra Circle, Brookeville, MD 20833.
CONTACTS:
Registration: Belqis Lynne at 304-258-9183 (edt) or Maryam Whalen at maryam@maryamwhalen.com
General Questions: Kamila Dinning at kgdinning@yahoo.com or 301-788-3632 edt
Shuttle Coordinator: Halima Willett at 301-662-3525 edt; amin_halima@yahoo.com
Work Study: Laila Kayce at laila@lailakayce.com or 304-258-6785
Emergency number during Sufi School: 301-788-3632
