Garden of Light Praying Room
In 2013, the International Association of Sufism began construction on the Garden of Light Praying and Meditation Room in Napa, California, as a service to humanity and a welcoming sanctuary. This space stands at the end of the road, as a refuge for people of all religions and nationalities, backgrounds, offering a place of peace for all who seek it—regardless of wealth or status.
At the inspiration of Seyyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, this project has been shaped by their vision and guidance every stage, remaining true to its original purpose. Dr. Kianfar reflects: “This space serves as a place for awareness and awakening to the intrinsic value of life. This value for sure cannot be limited to any special religion, or nation, time and place. It is rooted to the divine, that means absolute unity and purity. That absolute unity and purity is the substance of praying, so the International Association of Sufism dedicated this place just under one name: Praying Room. It is a place to remember your own divine worth and humanity, and to pray and honor the present moment in prayer and appreciation.”
Oriented toward the qibla, with running water for ablution and a walkway accessible to all, every aspect of the structure of the Praying and Meditation Room has been designed to ensure ease of access for all visitors. It offers a space for contemplation, meditation, prayer, and remembrance of loved ones. Dr. Kianfar emphasizes, “This place represents the religion of the divine directly, which resides within every human being, is born with every human being. It is formless, without any shape, color, name, or language, beyond all boundaries and cultures.”
The interior dome and walls of the Praying and Meditation Room are adorned with calligraphy that reflects the teachings of peace and unity. It including the names of many of the prophets from the monotheistic traditions, as well as several of the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah—qualities of creation wrapped also within the human being and toward which one can inwardly align and strive. The ceiling displays a verse from the Qur’an that re-centers and refocuses the human being on unity, affirming that this space is not a mausoleum or a structure serving any particular agenda or tradition. It was created in the absence of ego. The Praying and Meditation Room stands alone as an invitation to all who come, offering solitude for reflection in the heart and toward the reality of divinity as each seeker may discover it for themselves. Everyone is welcome to contribute to ongoing development and care of this sacred space.
The calligraphy artist, Sehar Shahzad, was born and raised in Toronto, Canada and currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Devoted to her faith and the art of her calligraphy, her work is recognized both locally and internationally. She has taught workshops and participated in exhibitions. Sehar considers her art an act of worship, and is committed to mastering the tradition of Arabic calligraphy, following in the footsteps of the masters who have come before her while illuminating the path for those who will follow. Her dedication and concentration are evident in the beautiful work on the dome and interior walls of the Prayer Room. After months of developing and refining the designs in a collaborative and inspired process, she spent weeks applying paint with meticulous care, resulting in the breathtaking beauty that will be appreciated by generations to come.
Learn more about the International Association of Sufism’s campaign to build a new center and other events and offerings.