Crafting a Future Without Boundaries

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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

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 a message of shared humanity and build bridges of understanding between nations.

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.

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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 Editor in Chief 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.

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. In alignment with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandates under Section 135, our work is focused on the following key areas:

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.
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.
Education & Self-Reliance: We support grassroots education in rural India to create self-reliance through skill development and artistic endeavours.
Traditional Arts, Crafts & Livelihoods: We take up targeted activities for the promotion and development of traditional Indian handicrafts and handlooms. To drive employment-oriented skill development, we provide training, marketing, design, tools, and equipment to artisans. Additionally, we provide essential healthcare through medical camps and welfare schemes, with a special focus on women and elderly craftspersons.
Heritage & Cultural Preservation: We undertake dedicated activities for the promotion of artisans, craftsmen, musicians, and artists. By organizing stage events, festivals, bazaars, and symposiums, and by producing publications and films, we actively preserve the composite culture and artistic heritage of India.

The Rumi Foundation Team

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