Crafting a Future Without Boundaries
I established the Rumi Foundation with a lifelong dedication to a singular mission: to foster a sense of global oneness. We believe that through the universal languages of film, music, and art, we can build the vital bridges of understanding our world needs today."
Muzaffar Ali, Filmmaker, Painter, and Founder of the Rumi Foundation
FOUNDER MEMBERS
Dr. Karan Singh
Chairman Emeritus
A renowned statesman and Padma Vibhushan recipient, Dr. Karan Singh provided the Foundation’s original intellectual grounding as Founding Chairman. Now Chairman Emeritus, he continues to steer its philosophical direction, upholding the ideals of interfaith harmony and spiritual humanism.
Late Dr. Abid Husain
Founder Vice Chairman
An esteemed economist, diplomat, and Padma Bhushan recipient, Dr. Husain was instrumental in defining the Foundation’s humanist vision. As Founder Vice Chairman, he left an enduring imprint of public service, ethical governance, and intellectual depth.
Zainab Chauhan
Founder Treasurer
As Founder Treasurer, Zainab was central to establishing the Foundation’s structural and financial framework. Blending corporate acumen with cultural patronage, she ensures the institution remains sustainable and true to its ethical core.
Dr. Syeda Hameed
Founder Member
A noted public intellectual and Padma Shri recipient, Syeda brought her expertise from the Planning Commission to the Foundation. She lends moral clarity to the mission, promoting social equity and the inclusion of diverse voices.
Syeda Imam
Founder Member
An award-winning author and communications strategist, Syeda established Contract India and served on the National Commission for Minorities. As Founder Director and Consulting Editor of Hu – The Sufi Way, she guides the Foundation’s literary vision and cultural advocacy.
Sharmila Tagore
Founder Member
A celebrated cinema icon and Padma Bhushan recipient, Sharmila brings six decades of artistic excellence to the collective. She embodies the Foundation’s spirit of reflection, advocating for the arts as a powerful medium for empathy and human connection.
Hemi Bawa
Founder Member
An acclaimed sculptor and Padma Shri recipient, Hemi Bawa is known for her meditative work in cast glass. She affirms the role of art as a vessel for inner inquiry, enriching the Foundation’s pursuit of peace and contemplation.
Dilshad Sheikh
Founder Member
A respected cultural patron, Dilshad brings a legacy of grace and aesthetic refinement. She steadfastly nurtures the Foundation’s initiatives, helping to sustain an environment where creativity and heritage conservation can thrive.
Late Ashfaq Peeran
Founder Member
A prominent industrialist and Chairman of Abir Infrastructure, Syed Ashfaq Peeran merged business success with a heart for social welfare. He quietly supported the Foundation’s growth, leaving behind a mark of selfless philanthropy and service.
Bipin Shah
Founder Member
A leading figure in quality publishing, Bipin Shah founded Mapin, taking India’s visual arts to a global audience. He ensures the Foundation’s initiatives are rooted in authentic scholarship, preserving the integrity of its artistic documentation.
Muzaffar Ali
Chairman & Executive Director
A visionary filmmaker, artist, and Padma Shri recipient, Muzaffar Ali is the creative soul of the Foundation. Through the Jahan-e-Khusrau festival and his cinematic oeuvre, he orchestrates a fusion of Sufi wisdom and aesthetics to foster global oneness.
Our Story
The Rumi Foundation was founded by the renowned filmmaker and artist, Raja Muzaffar Ali, and is guided by a distinguished governing council of scholars, artists, and leaders.
Our story begins with a vision for the oneness of the human race. In a world experiencing a crisis of misunderstanding , we are dedicated to using creative art forms to stimulate awareness and foster harmony. From our registered office in New Delhi, our area of operations extends all across India and beyond, as we work to project the human face of Islam and build bridges of understanding between nations.
10,000
Artisans Supported
Every Hand Helps Us Grow
Members & Patrons
Uniting Hearts and Actions
50+
Festivals & Events Hosted
Milestones of Hope and Change
Our Mission
The core objective for which the Rumi Foundation is formed is to establish, promote, and support education systems and cultural institutions that foster global oneness through creative art forms. To achieve this, our work is focused on the following key areas:
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Arts, Film & Media: We undertake, produce, and support a wide array of creative works, including documentaries, feature films, and television serials. A central aim is the establishment of a Rumi Film Festival and a Film and Communications Arts Institute to further these goals.
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Interfaith Understanding: A key objective is to present and promote the commonality of faiths, to build bridges of understanding. We create and distribute publications on interfaith icons from all religions and highlight existing examples of unity in multi-ethnic and multi-faith communities.
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Education & Self-Reliance: We support grassroots education in rural India to create self-reliance through skill development and artistic endeavours.
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Traditional Arts & Crafts: We are dedicated to the promotion and development of traditional Indian handicrafts and handlooms. We provide SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING training, design, marketing, and tools to artisans, taking inspiration from traditional arts to preserve the composite culture of India. CHECK MOA PROMOTION OF CULTURE THROUGH MUSIC ARTS AND STAGE EVENTS.
Stories of Harmony
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Snapshots of Connection
Follow Our Journey of Impact and Inspiration @rumifoundationindia