#12 - September 5, 2004

Dear Friends,

We will gather for our Badaliya Prayer on Sunday, September 5 at 3pm. There is much to share on our return from Vieux-Marché in France where we attended the 50th anniversary of the Muslim-Christian pilgrimage that has been held there since 1954. Louis Massignon discovered the chapel dedicated to the Seven Sleepers in this small town in Brittany, France and recognized the origins of the story, that is also found in the Qur'an, as coming from Ephesus in Turkey from the 2nd century.

We are receiving wonderful support for our Badaliya USA from the Association of Friends of Louis Massignon in Paris and will keep you updated on our discussions about forming a Friends of Louis Massignon Association specifically designed for English speaking members. Massignon's vision and experience of other cultures and religions seems ever more vital for us today as we pray together for Peace and Reconciliation in the Middle East, the Holy Land and our world.

There is an article appearing in the summer 2004 issue of SUFI magazine entitled Louis Massignon and Mariam Baouardy ,a Palestinian Saint for our Time, that I wrote to honor this patroness of our Badaliya Prayer Group. You can find copies in Boston at Barnes & Noble Bookstore in Kenmore Sq., in Davis Square at MacIntyre and Moore or email Lenni Gutierez in NYC at knpsufi@earthlink.net ,or, in Europe and the UK write to SUFI 41 Chepstow Place, London W2 4TS England.

Please join us in spirit for our Badaliya Prayer on Sunday Sept. 5th and be reminded that Friday, September 3rd is the First Friday of the month for those who wish to join the Union of Charles de Foucauld around the world in fasting and praying for World Peace.

Peace to you.
Dorothy