Who We Are

The organization now known as the Sufi Order International was founded by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan in the early twentieth century. Born July 5, 1882, he was a great Indian musician who was sent by his own murshid (a Sufi teacher) to the West with the commission to unite East and West in "harmony".

excerpted from Sufi Roots by Sharif Graham


The Sufi Order International of Chapel Hill is a community of seekers in the Sufi path. We are wholly affiliated with the Sufi Order International, headed by Pir Zia Inayat Khan. The principle activity of this local center is the work of the Esoteric School of the Sufi Order. Local activities are led by Amin Burford with the grateful assistance of Salima Graham and Malik Lawrence. We offer personal training and guidance to those who are, or who wish to be initiates in the Sufi Order. We welcome all inquiries from those seeking more information about the Sufi wisdom tradition, and those seeking a personal spiritual path who are interested in inquiring into whether the opportunities that this path offers are for them.

Please take the time to explore the information in this site, and use the contact link at the bottom of these pages for further inquiries and questions.



Mission and Vision Statement