Honorific Prefix: | Pir |
Zia Inayat-Khan | |
Birth Place: | Novato, California |
Known For: | Sufi teaching, scholarship, writing |
Predecessor: | Pir Vilayat |
Religion: | Islam |
Order: | Inayati Sufism |
Creed: | Sufism |
Pir-o-Murshid | |
Profession: | Teacher, Author |
Relatives: | Inayat Khan, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Noor Inayat Khan |
Website: | http://www.pirzia.org |
Zia Inayat-Khan (born 1971) is a scholar and teacher of Sufism in the lineage of his grandfather, Inayat Khan. He is president of the Inayati Order and founder of Suluk Academy, a school of contemplative study with branches in the United States and Europe.[1]
Zia Inayat Khan was born in Novato, California, in 1971, and is the first son of Sufi teachers Vilayat Inayat Khan and Murshida Taj Inayat. Vilayat made it clear to Zia at an early age that he wished him to take the mantle of his Sufi lineage as passed down from Inayat Khan, and instructed him in meditation and spiritual retreat. Zia was confirmed as spiritual successor to Vilayat in 2000, and has served as head of the Inayati Order, guiding Inayati communities in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the South Pacific.[2] [3]
Zia has lectured and taught extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and India on Sufism and its relevance to personal and collective transformation. Zia has specialized in carrying forward and teaching the spiritual legacy of his grandfather, Inayat Khan.[4] Zia's writings and talks also focus on connecting the heritage of contemplative wisdom traditions with contemporary society, with an emphasis on responding to crucial ecological and social challenges.