Institute for Sufi Studies
The Institute for Sufi Studies (ISS) is a collaborative effort that invites people from around the world with the common interest of Sufism to join together for research and study of this ancient wisdom. ISS began in 2000 as an educational department of the International Association of Sufism. ISS offers classes directly through its center, online and at other educational institutions. Faculty are practitioners of Sufism as well as teachers in many diverse disciplines, including religion, literature, psychology, philosophy, sociology, education, martial arts, and science. ISS classes are offered under the direction and guidance of Dr. Nahid Angha and Dr. Ali Kianfar. ISS public offerings include: Understanding the Qur’an and Holy Books with Sufi Master Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar; Sufism and Psychology study groups and dialogues; Introduction to Sufism; Illumination of the Ninety-Nine Names study group; 40 Days meditation and reading group; Nahj al-Balgha of Amir al mumenin Ali study group; Awareness of Breath and Movement; Purification meditation and discussion group; Meditation and Poetry.
Stations of the Sufi Path
Stations of the Sufi Path,
with Sufi Master Dr. Nahid Angha
An analytical study of the classical Persian masterpiece: Sad Maydan (One Hundred Stations of the Sufi Path) written by ‘Abdu‘llāh Ansāri of Hirat, a tenth Sufi master of Khurasan. The course will study a number of Stations with focus on Ansari’s rich prose style, mystical and allegorical commentaries; and will make a short comparison between Sad Maydan and Ansari’s Manāzil al-Sāirin (Stations of the Wayfarers).
Nahid Angha is Sufi scholar, translator and commentator of great numbers of classical Islamic mystical texts, including ‘Abdu‘llāh Ansāri of Hirat (in
Sundays 2025 (5 Sundays), 1:30-2:30pm PST:
August 10
September 7
October 5
November 2
December 7
*Classes are offered in person or online (Zoom, link provided)
Registration is full.
Understanding the Qur'an
Understanding the Qur’an,
with Sufi Master Shah Nazar Seyyed Dr. Ali Kianfar
This public class is offered for persons of all spiritual backgrounds and traditions who are seeking to learn more about themselves, the true but hidden messages of the Qur’an, and to more deeply understand the knowledgeable way toward universal understanding of the Divine.
Sundays 2025 (6 Sundays), 3:00-4:00pm PST:
July 13
August 10
September 7
October 5
November 2
December 7
*Classes are offered in person or online (Zoom, link provided)
To register by mail, use the form at this link.
New Course
Providing historical context of the time period, this course will examine the lives and teachings of five early Sufis—Uwaiys Gharan, Salman Farsi, Ibrahim b. Adham, Shaqiq-i Balkhi, and Bayazid Bastami.
Instructors: Soraya Clow, PhD; Leili First, PhD; Salim Matchette
Registration is full
Coming Soon
This course will introduce the history of Sufism, the mystical path of Islam, as well as an overview of its major principles and practices. It is suitable for anyone who is new to Sufism and would like to learn more.
Instructor: Jamal Granick, PhD
Dates and Time: 2026 dates to be announced
Coming Soon
This course will explore the historical movements and geographical spread of Islamic civilization that extended to Western cultures, and analyzes the importance of Islamic mysticism in shaping deeper understanding of Islamic spirituality and its impact on Western thought, theology, poetic expression, and scholarly pursuit that has lasted to the present time.
Instructor: Jamal Granick, PhD
Dates and Time: 2026 dates to be announced
Community Offerings
Reading and Study Group
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
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.
Breath and Movement
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.
Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names
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 Group
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
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.