The Subud World council in Fátima: a wonderful experience of teamwork and worship

Fátima Portugal, July 20 – 31, 2025

Gratitude is the word that has accompanied me since I left the SDivine Hotel on July 30 in Fátima, Portugal, after ten intense days of kejiwaan work, meetings, and presentations. The harmonious integration of the affiliates, wings, and MSF gave the council’s proceedings a uniquely special quality. There was a shared sense that everyone could contribute to the future and growth of Subud.

Hosted at the beautiful SDivine Hotel, surrounded by olive fields and with the distant sound of ringing bells, the first World Subud Council Meeting of this term was held, chaired by WSA chair, Rifka Several; ISC chair, Arifin Konrad; and the incomparable host, Hamid Da Silva, to whom we extend our special thanks for ensuring that each participant enjoyed the best possible stay.

The kejiwaan work during the first two days of the Council prepared our inner state so that harmony, brotherhood, love, and respect could flow throughout all the presentations and meetings that followed. The outcome of this work, accompanied by the International Helpers, was enlightening for many of us.

In the days that followed, the agenda allowed the Zone Representatives, the Muhammad Subuh Foundation, affiliates (SDIA, SICA), subcommittees (SYAI, SESI), and licensed professional associations (SIHA) to present and share their reports with the Council.

Discussion groups were also organized, with observers taking part and enriching the conversations with their valuable perspectives.

Special attention was given to the topic of safeguarding, moderated by Rifka Several. Through various sessions of discussion and reporting, the need for clear procedures tailored to the characteristics of our organization became evident. The International Subud Committee (ISC) will work on the next steps along with the zone representatives, who ultimately take the decision on how to proceed.

A workshop on Consensus in Subud and its application in decision-making at local, national and international levels was led by Hannah de Roo, WSA deputy chair, and Raymond Lee, area 2 international helper. Three key elements in the process of achieving consensus were identified as patience, inclusiveness, and putting aside any self interest. The focus in this two-part interactive workshop was on training effective listening skills and raising awareness as to how conflicts can arise and possibly be dealt with.

You can read the full document on consensus that was approved by the World Subud Council (WSC) at this link and share it with your groups, country, and zone.

Another important topic was the future of Subud. Preserving and strengthening the latihan among the younger generations was the central focus, with active participation from the young people present.

Humphrey Williams, WSA archives chair, took us on a journey through the past and present of the archives work. From Bapak’s letters in the 1970s calling on us to preserve our history, to today’s digital initiatives that connect us with documents, photos, and recordings from all over the world. We still need to create permanent archive centers in several regions and ensure Subud heritage is protected. The dream: a digital and physical space where anyone can access the essence of Subud.

Humphrey also encouraged us to keep important documents, share photos, volunteer time for digitization, or simply spreading the word about the importance of caring for our memories. Because if we don’t write our own history… someone else will.

In the final – yet equally important – presentations, concrete projects for the material development of Subud and its members were showcased. Venture Capital Partners (VCP), created by a group of Subud entrepreneurs, presented its first project in South America in the field of solar energy. This initiative seeks to support the development of Subud businesses through venture capital. Subud Canada, on the other hand, shared its successful experience managing its properties through the Centerprises model, which promotes the use of Subud premises by Subud businesses for the benefit of the organization.

Finally, Matthew Clark, who is volunteering to fundraise for ISC, let the discussion centered around the role of money in Subud and how to approach fundraising effectively. Participants shared diverse perspectives on the nature of money, its relationship to Subud and personal/professional life, and reasons why Subud may not have more financial resources. The group explored the idea of developing a more proactive and visionary approach to fundraising, drawing on successful past examples where specific needs or projects inspired generous donations. There was also a suggestion to improve communication with the broader Subud membership about the material needs and activities of the organization at various levels.

The WSA team also met with the local authorities during the WSC

On the 21st, part of the WSA team ( Rifka Several, Arifin Konrad, Hamid Da Silva) held a lunch meeting with Alexandre Marto, a prominent hotelier who shared his extensive knowledge of the hotel and meeting markets of Fátima and provided advice towards the World Congress.

On the 25th of July, a group of delegates from the WSA team (Rifka Several, Arifin Konrad, Hamid Da Silva, Halina Rizzo-Busack and Kohar Parra) held an encounter with the Rector of the Sanctuary, Father Carlos Manuel Pedrosa Cabecinhas, the very first meeting with the leading reverend of the Fátima Sanctuary. The meeting was special, full with content and very forthcoming.

On the 29th the WSA team held a meeting with the Mayor, Mr. Luis Albuquerque, in the Town Hall of Ourém, the municipality that oversees the Sanctuary and the town of Fátima. He was welcoming, informed of his plans for Fátima and made available transport equipment that might be necessary for the World Congress.

Visit to the Sanctuary of Fatima and the Paulo VI Pastoral Center

On Sunday, July 27, we set out for a visit to the Sanctuary of Fátima and the Paulo VI Pastoral Center, a potential venue for the 2028 World Congress.

We visited the facilities of the Pastoral Center, which features a large amphitheater with a capacity for 2,092 people, ideal for plenary sessions. It also has a spacious hall for about 600 people, with sliding partitions that allow it to be divided into three smaller rooms, and 10 other meeting rooms with areas ranging between 115 m2 and 21 m2.

The Pastoral Center also offers a variety of twin bed rooms, with 243 beds, some private and some dormitory-style, which can accommodate younger members and members on a budget.

During the tour, we identified two possible locations to set up modular structures for the latihan. The first, and closest to the Pastoral Center, is the Sanctuary’s large parking lot. The second option is to rent an adjacent private lot, slightly farther away, accessed through a small wooded area.

WC presentation and Q & A session in the Big auditorium

After lunch, Arifin Konrad and Hamid Da Silva gave a presentation about the next Subud World Congress. The presentation covered the facilities of the center for hosting the world congress, the spaces for latihan, the plenary sessions, and the different accommodation options, including those offered by the pastoral center. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions regarding registration fees, transportation options, dates, and expected attendance. So far, all possible inquiries have been made, and the necessary meetings with local authorities have been held to ensure a smooth planning process toward a successful world congress.

Before concluding, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to our Subud brothers and sisters in Portugal for their warm hospitality during this Council; to SICA Iberia for organizing the most entertaining cultural evenings, which allowed us to experience Iberian culture through music and dance; to SICA for delighting us with the most exquisite desserts in the Dessert Contest; and to Altar Investimentos SA for sponsoring part of this event.

With love and gratitude

Amanda Rivera
Communications Coordinator, WSA