Celebrate the Anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba's 1956 to Meher Mount with Special Guest Khaled Alfaqih - Saturday, August 2, 2014

On Saturday, August 2, 2014, come celebrate the Anniversary of Avatar Meher Baba's 1956 visit to Meher Mount. 

The day starts with a potluck lunch and is followed by a talk from Khaled Alfaqih about meeting Meher Baba.  The event ends with arti (prayers and songs) under Baba's Tree.  There is also an informal and optional no-host dinner in Ojai afterward at Boccali's restaurant (see sidebar below).

When Meher Baba came to Meher Mount on August 2, 1956, He said, "I love Meher Mount very much and feel happy here."  Later on, He added, "This land is very old, I have been here before."

In honor of Meher Baba and His visit, Meher Mount hosts an Anniversary Celebration every year on the second Saturday in August.  All are welcome to come join in the celebration of the Avatar of the Age and His presence in our midst.

Click here for more about Avatar Meher Baba's 1956 visit. 

Painting of Meher Baba at Meher Mount by Karl Gallagher

Khaled Alfaqih to Share His Stories and Memories of Being with Avatar Meher Baba

 Khaled Alfaqih of Walnut Creek was born in Lebanon in 1942 to a Druze family.  The Druze are an ancient mystical sect of the Islamic Shea’an Ali (commonly referred to as Shia much in the news these days).

The Druze were founded in the 10th-11th centuries and were steadily persecuted for their radically unorthodox beliefs including reincarnation and the Divinity of Jesus.

Khaled's father was Saudi Arabia's first Ambassador to the United States bringing his family to Washington, D.C, in early 1947.

The Alfaqih family became close friends with James Terry Duce, then Vice President of the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) in charge of governmental relations, and his wife Ivy Oneita Duce.

In 1960, Khaled was initiated into the Sufi Order through Ivy Duce who was the Murshida of Sufism Reoriented, which had been reoriented by Meher Baba.  He calls his coming to Meher Baba a "slam dunk."

One bright spring morning in 1962, while a student at UC Berkeley, Khaled received a phone message from the Murshida asking him to come to her San Francisco apartment the following day.

When he got there she greeted him with what he considered to be the defining moment in his life’s screenplay. “Write your father dear,” she said, “we are going to India to see God!”

With his customary wit and insight, Khaled will share the story of becoming a follower of Meher Baba and his going to India to meet the Avatar in 1962.

Khaled was a guest speaker for the 2012 celebration in Meherabad, India, of the 50th Anniversary of the East-West Gathering.

Photo:  Khaled Alfaqih (right) talking to Adele Wolkin at Meher Mount in 2008. (Sam Ervin photo.)

General Guidelines for Your Visit

Potluck Lunch:  Please bring a dish to share that is ready to eat and requires no prep or cooking.  Plates, cups and eating utensils will be provided. Clean-up is also "potluck" with everyone pitching in.

Sun Protection: A hat, sunglasses, and suncreen are highly recommended even in the late afternoon.

Insect Repllent: If you use it, you might want insect repellent.

Walking: Close-toed walking shoes are suggested. Please pay attention to where you walk as there are rattlesnakes, uneven terrain, and gopher holes.

Fire Danger: The fire danger is very, very high.  Outdoor fires including candles, incenses and cigarettes are prohiitied.  Smoking is only in your automobile in the parking area.

Pets: Please do not bring your pets to Meher Mount.

Children: Children are welcome. There is no child care.  Parents are responsible for the safety of their children. Adults should be with children under 12 at all times.  Children are not allowed on the historic farm equipment.

Suggested Donation: $20 to help cover the cost of the event.