The International Association of Sufism (IAS), is a non-profit organization, headquartered in California. It has been successful in realizing its mission to introduce Sufism in all its varied forms and make the inter-relation between Sufi principles and scientific principles available to the general public. To our knowledge, IAS is the first association to provide a global forum for a continuing dialogue between the different schools of Sufism, interfaith leaders, psychologists, human rights activists, artists, poets and musicians through the annual Sufism Symposium, the Songs of the Soul Festival, and many conferences, retreats, and publications.
IAS was founded by Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, in 1983. It is a United Nations NGO/DGC, and a recipient of the UNESCO Culture of Peace and Nonviolence: Messenger of Manifesto in 2000. IAS has achieved its goals through the cooperative efforts of many Sufi masters and schools, educators, translators, and artists, from around the world.
Sufi Psychology Reading & Study Group
Third Friday of the Month, 9-10am PST, on Zoom
Contact Dr. Amineh Pryor, Ph.D.
(415) 431-2900
Amineh Amelia Pryor, Ph.D., LMFT is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism under the guidance of Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar, co-director of the Sufism and Psychology Forum, and a clinical supervisor and psychotherapist at the Community Healing Centers in San Francisco.
Peace and Love Dialogues
Third Thursday of the Month, 7:30-8:30pm PST, on Zoom
Contact Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D.
Sarah Hastings Mullin, Ph.D., is a member of IAS and of the 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility Program. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, and is a clinical psychology with a private practice in Northern California. She holds a second degree black belt in Aikido, and has published several books on the teachings and practice of Sufism.
Awareness of Breath and Movement
Weekly practice group
Sundays, 7:45-8:45am PST, (Zoom link provided in weekly emails)
Contact Sheikh Jalal Heery, Ph.D. if interested.
Jalal Brian Heery, Ph.D. is a 5th degree black belt and head instructor at Rocky Valley Aikido in Menlo Park. He has been investigating the interstices between the body, mind, and spirit, since his time as a competitive world class gymnast. Dr. Heery did his doctoral research on “Awakening Spirit in the Body,” and is a student of the Uwaiysi School of Sufism, under the guidance of Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar.
Illumination of the Names
Monthly discussion group
Wednesdays, 7-8 pm PST, on Zoom
Contact Leili First, Ph.D. if interested.
Leili First, Ph.D. is a student of Uwaiysi Sufism and a long-time member of the International Association of Sufism. Dr. First has given lectures on Sufism and Women in Islam at colleges and universities and presented at the Annual Sufism Symposium and Parliament of the World’s Religions. She holds a Ph.D. in Transformative Studies.
40 Days Meditation & Book Reading
Reading: The Journey
Sundays @ 9am PST, on Zoom
Email Arife Hammerle, Ph.D.
or call (415) 499-1115
Arife Ellen Hammerle, Ph.D. is a senior teacher of the Uwaiysi School of Sufism, guided by Sufi Masters Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali. Kianfar. Dr. Hammerle is a member of the International Association of Sufism and sits on the Executive Committee for the Institute for Sufi Studies. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, and teaches courses at the Institute for Sufi Studies and 40 Days Alchemy of Tranquility Program.
Discussion on Nahj al-Balagha
(collection of sermons, letters, and sayings attributed to Ali ibn Abi Talib)
Monthly reading & discussion group
Sundays, 11:00 am PST, on Zoom
Contact Sheikh Salman Barui, LCSW
Sheikh Salman Baruti, MSW is a licensed clinical social worker. For the past 30 years, he has provided case work and mental health services to underserved and at-risk youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mr. Baruti is a student of Sufism and uses transformative life skills including Sufi wisdom, stories and sayings that he has learned from his teachers to help young people appreciate and value their lives.
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