About the Norwegian Sufi Community

The Norwegian Sufi Community is a community of spiritual seekers inspired by the teachings, presence, and legacy of Hazrat Inayat Khan. He founded the path of Sufism in the West about 100 years ago. The Norwegian Sufi Community was founded some years after Inayat Khan visited Norway. In the autumn of 1924, he appointed the first representative in person, Susanne Kjøsterud. With this initiation, the lineage of Inayat Khan in Norway emerged. Currently, there are several Communities, individuals, and Orders throughout the world inspired by the teachings of Hazrat Inayat Khan. We consider all these Communities and Orders to be branches of the same tree. Besides the path of Sufism, we also draw inspiration from other mystical traditions. 

The Individual and the Community

The Norwegian Sufi Community welcomes spiritual seekers to unfold and express themselves in their own unique way. Developing our individuality and uniqueness is highly treasured on the Sufi spiritual path.  By no means does the word Community refer to a group of similar people who have a particular behavior or look upon themselves as exclusive. Our community is open to all. To the Sufi, there exist no barriers of race, gender, religion, economic status, or any other characteristics that create distinctions between us. 

The purpose of group activities is mainly to learn about ourselves and others. This sharing among spiritual seekers has a value at a certain stage of the Path. What connects us in our community is the quest to become receptive to the presence of the Murshid by following the Inner Path. We can find the Murshid in all of creation. 

About the current leaders of the Community

 The Norwegian Sufi Community is led by (under the spiritual guidance of) Alia Sura and Shams Uwais. We draw our inspiration from several sources, which you can read more about here.

Shams Uwais

Shams is a natural mystic, blessed with the Uwaisi transmission of Hazrat Inayat Khan. From early life, he was exploring the Inner Realms, gaining direct experience through life, by life, of life. Eventually, the divine blessing of being found fell upon him with the words "Join Us" from the unseen. This calling led to a spiritual quest of years, going through deepening mystical experiences and states, tests, trials, and blessings. Through the guidance of the Murshid, he became a direct Mureed and eventually - by the grace of God - also a Murshid.

Alia Sura

Born in the 1950s, Alia has experienced and participated in the movements of outer and inner change which took place after World War 2.

These movements caused her to question the established patriarchal institutions; their ideals as well as ideas about how to live one’s life. After an inner awakening in her early twenties, she entered the Sufi path, which gradually moulded her to become a spiritual guide and teacher.

Being open to change and true to our inborn conscience has been her way of bringing spirituality into daily life.

Alia has a rich life experience; as a street-seller, musician, teacher, ecological farmer, cultural entrepreneur, coordinator and facilitator within a growing, multicultural community.

Together with Shams Uwais, she has established Shamali Nature and Retreat Center, where people are supported in the process of inner growth and deepening the knowledge of self.

Historical Archive of the Norwegian Sufi Community

Here you find the archive of our community starting in 1924. Digitalization is ongoing.