BIO Pir Zia Inayat-Khan

Pir Zia Inayat Khan, PhD, is the son of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan and Taj Inayat, and the spiritual grandson of Hazrat Inayat Khan. Raised in the United States, he studied Persian Literature at the University of London and earned a doctorate in Religion from Duke University. Trained in Sufism by his father, he was confirmed in 2000 as his spiritual successor.

Since Pir Vilayat’s passing in 2004, Pir Zia has served as Pir-o-Murshid and President of the Inayatiyya, guiding Sufi communities worldwide. He founded Sulūk Academy, which offers contemplative courses in North America, Europe, and globally online. His work is centered at Fazal Manzil in Suresnes, France, and the Astana in Richmond, Virginia.

An accomplished author, Pir Zia has written Immortality: A Traveler’s Guide, Mingled Waters, and Saracen Chivalry, and edited Caravan of Souls and A Pearl in Wine. With his wife, Sartaj, he divides his time between Richmond and Suresnes.