Ansari Qadiri Rifai Sufi Order

The Ansari Qadiri Rifai Tariqa (AQRT) is a registered nonprofit, Guide Star reviewed , traditional Islamic Sufi Order (school for spiritual seekers) whose culture is one of welcoming inclusiveness. We firmly believe in bringing communities closer through peace, love and togetherness. Sufism is a process of attaining closeness to the Creator through love, which is attained by purification of the ego

In 2007, forty acres of land in Nassau, NY were donated to the AQRT. Through further generous donations from members and friends of the International AQRT Centers, the main center was built and opened in 2014.

This Center was designed to promote environmental sustainability, a place for students and seekers to visit and learn, as well as a space for the civic community to utilize. The building houses the heads of the order, Shaykh Taner and Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari and includes office space, a large community kitchen and ceremonial room.

Shaykh Taner Ansari and the building of the Center.
The Center is finished.

As of today, the Center has been built and the road to the Center has been paved, yet there remain several unfinished projects as well operating/maintenance costs that need funding.

Some current projects and needs include:
Housing Project Estimate $29,000
Parking Lot Estimate $12,000
Fence & Road Finishing Estimate$10,000
Yearly operating and routine maintenance costs $40,000

Housing Project: Estimated cost $29,000

We need to repay a debt that we incurred due to an unforeseen situation. One of our houses on the land recently came into disrepair early in 2017 during a bout of frigid weather, which caused pipes to freeze and burst. Due to the extensive damage, the house became uninhabitable. We had no choice but to tear it down and rebuild. The house is used for our guests/students and members of our community.

Here are some pictures that will illustrate the condition of the house.  The cost for this restoration we incurred  was $29,000.

The house had to be completely stripped of insulation and redone.

The interior drywall had to be completely removed.

Volunteers helped gut the house.

The interior nearly finished.

House nearly complete.

Volunteers brought the house to near completion in August 2017. Without the help of our students and volunteers, this project would have cost us much more in labor and materials.

Parking Lot:  Estimated cost $12,000

The center has no parking lot. Access in the winter can be very treacherous.

Cars have to be parked on the grass in summer, which becomes excessively muddy during rainy weather.

Center road and the fence: Estimated cost $10,000

The road that goes to the center is not protected. We have been filling the edges with stones to protect it from stripping away.

The fence around the garden has to be fixed to prevent deer from ruining the vegetables.

Estimated Yearly Operating and Routine Maintenance costs: $40,000

The Center has a small volunteer staff that runs all of the Tariqa business. This business includes newsletters, accounting, email communication, marketing, weekly online guidance and training as well as individual counseling via skype.
We need assistance with yearly expenses for paying utilities, computer software, hardware and internet access. In addition, we need financing throughout the year for supplies for guests,  weekly community dinners, and other community events.


Ongoing contributions to the community and beyond
Interfaith gatherings
Open community dinners
Youth groups
Ocean cleaning efforts
Sustainabiltity work
Healings
Public gardens

Shaykh Taner and students cooking a community meal.
Students working on community garden.

Why support a Sufi organization in the United States?
Sufism is an expression of Love for the One Who is the Source of Love. We live in a world today that needs more Love than it has ever needed  before. Sufis draw no boundaries, make no distinctions, fervently work for the peace and well being of literally all people of every kind of persuasion. Sufis build bridges between communities by bringing people together through  community dinners, healing the sick, and helping neighbors far and near. Help us help others by supporting our work to bring values of peace, love and togetherness into the world today.

Let us tell you about the heart of our organization
Shaykh Taner Ansari and Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari.

Both Shaykh Taner and his wife, Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari are renowned teachers of Sufism. They have been teaching together for almost 30 years, to all who come seeking knowledge about the way of the Sufi. They work tirelessly to bring the message of Sufism through radio and television interviews, at churches, synagogues, schools and universities, among them Humboldt State, Harvard and Boston Universities. They donate their time presenting lectures, spiritual gatherings, online classes and workshops not only in the US, but also worldwide in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, and South Africa.

Shaykh Taner and Shaykha Muzeyyen radio interview.

The message of Sufism is free to everyone.
We are looking for help with the cost of bringing this message to whoever wants and/or needs it. Your donations towards our activities and restoring our infrastructure will go a long way in helping us thrive. Your help will enable us to continue the work of bringing people of all walks of life together in peace, love and harmony. Your donations are graciously and humbly accepted and appreciated.