What is SSC?
Shadhiliyya Sufi Communities (SSC) is the DBA for Shadhiliyya Sufi Center, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization, licensed in the state of Wyoming to operate as a church under the Wyoming Nonprofit Corporation Act. SSC is the umbrella organization Sidi established to serve the entire community, including all of the regions and beloveds in our North American community. SSC also offers support and services to our international communities, including Mexico, Argentina, England, and beloveds worldwide.
What Does SSC Do?
- SSC is the communications and community support hub for the North American Shadhiliyya Sufi community started by our guide, Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i ash-Shadhili.
- SSC receives and distributes donations to those in need around the world and in the U.S.
- SSC offers accessible classes on topics related to Sufism for no cost, and it maintains the community TeamUp calendar.
- SSC organizes group worship and education for community religious observances, such as Ramadan, Hajj, Mawlid, and other holy days.
- SSC manages the properties it owns in Pope Valley, CA, formerly known as the Mother Center. Learn what’s happening there now.
- SSC initiates community projects focused on creating unity within our community.
- SSC does the necessary work to meet the needs of the community and to maintain its legal non-profit status.
- SSC maintains this website in order to provide services and resources to all beloveds.
Our Mission
- To preserve and share the pure teachings of our guide, Shaykh Sa’id Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i ash-Shadhuli, with all who are called to Allah through his spirit, now and in the future.
- To be a resource and a hub that cares for and nourishes the hearts of his students and the holy communities they build.
- To support and encourage beloveds gathering and continuing to walk with these teachings.
- To share the message of peace, love, mercy, justice and freedom to all people without separation.
Our Intentions and Commitment to Service
- We serve Allah by caring for the community of beloveds, fostering connections, listening to the hearts of community members, and responding to their needs. We honor our guide’s message and fear only Allah.
- We are a welcoming doorway for all those who are seeking knowledge of Shadhiliyya Sufism as transmitted and revealed to us by our guide, Sidi. For all students, we are committed to preserving and sharing this pure legacy and the message of our guide. This message is kept in his books, his recordings, and in the hearts of his students.
- We seek ways to nourish and uplift individuals and communities who are striving to actualize these teachings and become the message of Peace, Love, Mercy, Justice, and Freedom for all people without separation.
- We are a communications and support hub serving the students of our guide, weaving our communities and groups together as one heart and one united family. We promote collaboration and unity, forgiveness and healing, respect and appreciation for all.
- We encourage and water the seeds of hope and inspiration that manifest in the hearts of those called by Allah to stand in their truth and do good in this world, celebrating outer diversity while confirming our greater inner unity.
- We provide opportunities to gather for worship and healing. We hold space for all of us to deepen our understanding of the teachings.
- We seek counsel and guidance from the teachings of our guide Sidi, the Holy Qur’an, the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Murshids and elders of our community.
- We are here to provide a portal for giving to the poor, needy, and the sick as we believe these holy gifts offered with prayers bring benefit to both those who give and those who receive.
- We recognize that any good that comes from our service is by Allah alone and that we have no power or authority beyond what He has already ordained. We offer ourselves in service to His creation expecting no reward other than His pleasure. We are His servants and He alone guides us and we will turn to Him in repentance and seek His forgiveness for any errors we may make in our attempts to serve. Amin.
Who Runs SSC?
The SSC Board of Directors oversees our day-to-day work, along with our Operations Manager.
How are Board Members Selected?
Sidi put the following system in place–North America is divided into 8 regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, South Central, Midwest, Northern California, Southwest, and Northwest. Each region elects 7 members to form its own Regional Council. Two people from each Regional Council are selected to serve on the SSC Board of Directors for a term of 1-3 years. New board members can be accepted onto the board at any time.
Two to three times a year, the Board of Directors holds a members meeting during which updates are given, proposed amendments to bylaws are approved, and issues are raised and discussed as needed.
Board of Directors
Abdullah Pat Aylward: North Central region rep., Chairman, Executive Committee, Outreach Committee, Fundraising Committee abdullahaylward@sscboard.org
Ruhayyah Andrea Ferrante: Northeast region rep., Vice-Chair, Executive Committee, Governance Committee, ruhayyahferrante@sscboard.org
Rahim Jon Bushard: Midwest region rep., Treasurer, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Beloveds In Need Committee rahimbushard@sscboard.org
Aziz Jack Sanford: South Central region rep., Secretary, Executive Committee, Outreach Committee, Fundraising Committee, Land Committee azizsanford@sscboard.org
Abdul Latif Howard: Northeast region rep., Outreach Committee, Land Committee, Programming Committee. abdullatifhoward@sscboard.org
Sukayna Ronda Mau: Northwest region rep., Programming Committee, Governance Committee, Outreach Committee. sukaynamau@sscboard.org
Jannah Betty Godlas: Southeast region rep., Assistant Treasurer, Finance Committee, Beloveds In Need Committee jannahgodlas@sscboard.org
Amin Daniel Colman: Southwest region rep., Land Committee amincolman@sscboard.org
Halima Rabiah Bonnie Gibson: Southeast region rep, Outreach Committee, Fundraising Committee halimagibson@sscboard.org
Hassan Roy Martin: Northwest region rep., Finance Committee, Fundraising Committee hassanmartin@sscboard.org
Kamila Carolyn Shenmen: South Central region rep., Governance Committee kamilashenmen@sscboard.org
Board Member Requirements
You must:
- Be nominated by your Regional Members Council
- Willing and able to give 4-8 hours per week
- Available for twice monthly Wednesday evening board meetings
- Serve on at least one committee, preferably two
- Have working skills the board needs
- Be accountable and responsive to communications by email, text, and phone
- Understand and support SSC’s Mission, Intentions and Commitment to Service
- Sign a confidentiality agreement
- Uphold and obey all existent SSC bylaws
- Be responsible for your own spiritual walking and self care
- Be a good team player
- Be committed to serving the greater good of community
2022 Annual Report
This is an end-of-year report showing SSC’s 2022 expenses and income, insha’allah alhamdulillah.
https://suficommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2022-SSC-Annual-Report-1.pdf
2021 Annual Report
This is an end-of-year report showing SSC’s 2021 expenses.
https://suficommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2021-SSC-Annual-Report.pdf
2020 Annual Report
This is an end-of-year report showing SSC’s 2020 expenses.
