The Service of Universal Peace comprises the religious activity of the Sufi Ruhaniat International. It is based upon the traditional Universal Worship Service which was created by Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan over 100 years ago to promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse religious traditions of the world, both externally in the beauty of their distinctions and differences, and internally in the transformative and healing power of their inner Unity in the One Source.
The Service of Universal Peace is conducted by ordained interfaith ministers called Cherags (Lights of the Message) or Sirajs (Lamps of the Message, or Senior Ministers; view the Siraj Circle Mission Statement). A Service of Universal Peace may be formal, reflecting the original service developed by Hazrat Inayat Khan, or may be innovative, suiting the needs of various communities, times, and places..
Many ministers are experienced in co-creating local rites of passage including weddings, christenings, and memorial services. Many are available to serve other ceremonial needs of the community, such as house blessings, seasonal celebrations, and commemorating various life transitions.
For more information about the Service of Universal Peace or the Path of the Cherag, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
About the Service of Universal Peace
The Service of Universal Peace honors the world's spiritual traditions including Divine Feminine, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Native, Indigenous, and Earth-Centered Ways, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Other sacred traditions and paths that may be pertinent to specific time and place may also be included in the celebration of Universal Peace.
As part of the Service, a candle is lit for each spiritual tradition, a sacred passage from that tradition is read, and a spiritual practice is shared to engage the hearts, minds, and bodies of the participants with the Living Transmission of the particular Divine Quality or Aspect manifesting through that religion, such as Wisdom, Self-Sacrifice, Purity, Love, and others.
A final candle is then lit for the Spirit of Guidance, said by Hazrat Inayat Khan to represent “all those who whether known or unknown to the world have held aloft the Light of Truth amidst the darkness of human ignorance.”
The minister shares a blessing of Peace and Presence to close the Service.