In Pursuit of Transcendence,
through the Arts





Secrets from the Heart II 
Khalid Casado 
Annual Retreat in New Mexico partnering with the West African Calligraphy Institute
Reed Pens used in Arabic Calligraphy
 Workshop with Master Calligrapher Khalid Casado
Description of location and event
Amalstan, the Flag
Nihad Dukhan
The Burdah Ensemble at the Kennedy Center








Reed Society strives to preserve and promote sacred art and music as a means for enriching contemporary artistic and spiritual practices. 



Our mission is carried out through the hosting of events, workshops, lectures, performances, and galleries. 

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Workshops


Reed Society regularly organize sacred art and music workshops in the Washington DC area, and are highly experienced in organizing throughout the United States. We connect you to trained educators who are masters in a variety of sacred traditions. Try your hand at the art of illumination, Arabic calligraphy, sacred geometry, devotional poetry or explore music modes from a different musical tradition such as Qawwali or Khayal. We work with museums, universities, private schools, youth groups, even law firms and consulting firms.




Retreats


Throughout the year, Reed Society offer retreats for in-depth study of sacred art. These are two or three day events which bring aspirants from all across the United States to our nation's capital. In addition, we host an annual retreat in the majestic landscape of New Mexico with our partners The West African Calligraphy Institute and Dar al Islam. This is open to seekers of beauty from all backgrounds and all levels.

 


Performances


Reed Society organize concerts throughout the United States with our network of musicians. We work with a wide range of musical traditions including folk singers from India, various Qawwali artists, Munshidin (vocal reciters) from Morocco, traditional Takht or classical eastern music ensemble, and an Andulsian group. Reed Society has amplified the sacred sounds of these musicians onto stages such as Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, SXSW, the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art and United States Institute of Peace (USIP).






Upcoming Events






Islamic Geometry Workshop: Alhambra


Saturday, July 11, 2026



Islamic Soundscapes Online Course


Mondays, July 13 - August 3, 2026




Illumination Workshop with Behnaz Karjoo


Sunday, August 2, 2026




Partners
Institutions and organizations we have collaborated with in the past:


Institutional Partners
The Walters Art Museum
Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art
GWU Textile Museum
Qatar America Institute Culture
United States Institute of Peace
Kennedy Center Millenium Stage
Ghost Ranch


Universities
Princeton University
George Washington University
American University
Salisbury University
University of Chicago
Yale University
Stanford University


Community Partners
District of Raga (Washington DC)
Sufi Corner (Monteclair, NJ)
Seldon Institute (Chicago, IL)
Dar Al Islam (Abiqui, New Mexico)
Naadvistar (Delhi, India)
Barzak Cafe (Brooklyn, NY)
West African Calligraphy Institute (Pecos, New Mexico)





                                                                                        


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© 2024 Reed Society for the Sacred Arts