Aftab on left, June Ross, center, Rabia Longworth right
Birthdate: July 7, 1927 URS: January 14, 2013
Hazrat Inayat Khan
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I will always remember seeing Aftab whenever I visited the Abode. Her sparkly blue, blue eyes and open arms were a warm welcome. Aftab embodied the delicious experience a woman who has lived life to the fullest offers.
Aftab was my dear friend. A light in the world for any traveler.
She embodied love, trust, compassion and attunement.
If you went to the Abode, you met Aftab. Her antenna would jingle for all new arrivals.
She was there to meet and greet and let you know that all is well. She was the hostess…
Ya Fatah Sweetie.
Years ago, Aftab lived in the Santa Barbara area. She sometimes drove 1 1/2 hours with a friend to Sufi classes held at my house in LA. She always sparkled, and she’d bring her tiny mushroom-shaped meditation seat –the padded seat was so small, and it had a very narrow stem like a wine glass. I was always amazed how she sat on it and it never tipped over! When I saw her at the Abode a few years ago, she was glowing and her very blue eyes had faded a little but were filled with light…I’m glad to have known her!
I will always remember my visits to the Abode where Aftab would welcome me so warmly that I felt immediately at home. She was so enthusiastic about singing with me – her own angel wings would open wide, and take me soaring with her to sublime heights of bliss. And now, she is free again, and continues to touch my heart with the music of her beautiful being.
aftab, your presence abounds, surrounds………….your love conquers all distance and you are here, as always. my memories of you are your presence with and within me. your light fills the eyes of my heart………………….
all love,
sakina
i met aftab at the abode during my suluk training. and i remember the beautiful morning meditations with her. she sat on her little chair in front of us and guided us so vividly through the purification practices and the prayers. afterwards she used to do her physical exercises (the 5 buddhistic treasures or so …). and one day i asked her if i could join her. and i realized she had a very good physical condition, despite her age. she told me that she did these practices every day to keep her shape.
she was such a sunshine, really expressing the deeper meaning of her name which means ‘sun’. thank you, aftab, for the beautiful shared moments!
love,
nurunnahar
Aftab, to me, was the keeper of prayer. Everytime I would go to the Abode I could count on Aftab to be in the Meditation Hall praying at 7:00 am every morning. She held that place for the Abode. She was welcoming when I arrived at any time. She had nothing but encouragement and support for me as a cheraga, as a Sufi, as a person. She shared herself fully and her journey. She was vulnerable, and joyful, authentic and real. I loved her.
Azima
Aftab reflected something that settled my soul: what it is to be worked by time, to age as though in reverse, each day becoming more luminous. As the days of my life turn, my hair begins to turn clear white, and my smiles are as river gorges around my eyes and mouth, her life appears as life raft to my own. It says, “die before you die,” and I step forward trusting something unseen that is beauty beyond form. – XO Jehanara Tremayne
I have such fond memories of Aftab-her voice, her radiant smile, her dynamism. I recall one time when we were having an Abode reunion and had a Saturday night dance up on the Mountain with Stephen Pague. Aftab has always been about 20 years my senior, and there she was, cutting the rug! I couldn’t believe how much energy came out of her on the dance floor! And I said to myself, I want to be like Aftab when I’m that age ( whatever age it was- 70-75?) Such an inspiration!
Blessings dear Aftab on your journey home!
KHushi
Coming home the angels rejoice. You and Rabia showed me how, at the Abode, if in early spring, before the trees leafed, if just at sunrise you put your face on the floor and looked up at the “Enter unhesitating…” window new colors are seen.
Happy Trails Khalid
When I thinik of Aftab I say YES to life.
To her family I say you are fortunate to have come through her and/or around her.
I will hope that my photos of Aftab speak of her memory more than my words can possibly! Our Radiant Aftab – sister, mother, mentor, awe-inspiring friend, sun-charged Aftab! I can hear your words, always starting with, “Honey….” I will also remember you as my pond-sister – sitting at the edge of our sacred portal together mid-summer – knowing there was no place better on the planet to be. I love you Aftab, you shall always inspire me to be the best sunshiney-being I can be!
Love, blessings, and may you ripple on and on.. Jane
Almost 25 years ago I was having a life challenge and Aftab knew about it. She took me out for a root beer and as we slurped she said, “Remember dear, what matters most is that you follow your heart.” The sweetness of that moment made my many life choices to come sweeter and bubblier and heart following all the more radiant.
In remembering Aftab, I’m noticing that I can’t pick one memory over another. Which is more beautiful or wonderful? When she arranged flowers for the Universal Worship? Or swept the floor? Or cleaned the toilets? Or showed up every morning for prayers? Or sat in silence? Or drank coffee? Or consoled me? Was it her fire? Or tenderness? Or devotion? Or joy? Was it her dancing? Or the way she inspired me to dance? Was it the time she blasted me with a Pele Fire Goddess love-blast back to my senses? Or the way she looked me the eyes with soooo much love? Which is more beautiful or wonderful?
Aftab – such a vital, joyous heart light DANCING with us always in love. First to party, first to dance, first to prayers, first to welcome new comers, first to mop the bathroom floor, first to swim in the lake when the ice was gone. When Aftab ran the bookstore at the Abobe, it was a gathering place not only for reading but for contemplation, prayer, laughter, enlightening conversation.
Pir Vilayat cast her as a jinn in the Cosmic Celebration. She cast herself in the role of Love in the celebration of life she expressed each day.
Thinking of our dear Aftab on her birthday… She was such a shining light! So full of love and laughter!
I was never in the East coast Sufi order but my ex-husband was when we lived in West Philadelphia. I met Aftab at the Sufi House there though she had a huge, beautiful old house in Germantown and she never locked her doors. I remember her wonderful parties there in the 1970s, lots of Sufi and non-Sufi friends of hers, people dancing to Stevie Wonder and Aftab hosting, laughing and seeming to be everywhere at once. I adore you, dear lady. I knew you when I was in my 20s and you were the woman I hoped I would grow to be.
Yesterday was my husband, Danny, and my 41st wedding anniversary. Aftab officiated our wedding, which took place in New Jersey on 08-25-79. We were her first wedding, and we felt so honored. We have lived in AZ for 42 years, and did re-connect with her about 10-15 years ago. Miss her heart <3
Would love to attach a photo!