About Us

(Khwaja Farooq Renzu welcoming Ex-President of India,

APJ Abdul Kalam in Kashmir)

Khwaja Farooq Renzu Shah

Founder Chairman of Kashmir Sufism Society

· Distinguished personality of Kashmir

· Founder of Kashmir Sufism society

· Direct decedent of 1^st Muslim king of Kashmir Renzu shah who was also known as Rinchen Shah (Foundation of Sufism under direct patronage of Hazrat Sharaf-u-din Bul bul Shah was laid by him in 1318 AD.)

Khwaja Farooq Renzu Shah has written eleven books and his Sufi Mankabat on Bulbul Shah has received national and international awards. Nusrat Fatheh Ali Khan and his disciple Rufi Fateh Ali have achieved fame through Bul bul Shah Mankabat on Sufism. His association with Sufi shrines of Kashmir , particularly shrine of Sheikh-ul-Alam at Chrar Sharief Budgam district, Sufi shrine of Muqam, Waterhail Budgam, Khansahib Budgam, Makhdoom Sahib Srinagar, Rahbab sahib, Drayigam shrine, Naqashband Sahib Srinagar, BulBul Shah Sahib Nawakadal Srinagar, Khankah Moula KhanKah, Fateh kadal Srinagar are very strong . After the tragic burning of Chrar Sharief shrine including Khankah Faiz, Khawaja Farooq had honour to rebuild Khankah Faiz. His Sufi seminars are attended by thousands of shrine believers. He organized international conference of Sheikh-Ul-Alam, Bul Bul Shah and Amir-I-Kabir. Khwaja Farooq Renzu was awarded Col.Qadafi award at Tripoli for his distinguished contribution on Sufism in 1988. He was awarded by the President of India, Prime minister, Governor and chief minister of J&K for his contribution to Sufism.

Khwaja Farooq Renzu Shah believes in “Love as Revolution” which can engulf our power on all forms of terror, hate, communalism and regionalism. He is making efforts to restore the highest position of Sufism in Kashmir and make the world aware of its importance. He has practiced so far one lakh times Darood Khawani and attended Sufism Mehfils throughout the state.

Khwaja Farooq Renzu shall start delivering his extra ordinary lectures throughout the world from end of this year, so that the slogan of “Love as Revolution” is able to yield results. He intends to strengthen the relationship of all religions and convert the world into an Abode of Love.
He believes that God, who has created Kashmir as heaven, desires it to be the Divine place of Sufi saints. Rumi had spent his time in Kashmir. There are historical records of Christ (Yusu) , Hazrat Haroon, Pir Dastgeer, Amir-I-Kabir visiting Kashmir and thousands of Sufi saints have been buried in Kashmir. Their shrines are being visited by thousands of people memorizing their spiritual verses of Sufi order and chanting their praises. The Rishiyat order is the order of Kashmir.

Khwaja Farooq Renzu also believes that no Sufi association, Sufi scholar or Sufi believer is complete unless he has visited Kashmir and practiced “Darood Khawani “ of Sufi Order , which is part of spiritual meditation imbibing Divine energy in individual mind and heart, where he is able to feel closely the blessings of great God. Khwaja Farooq Renzu is being considered as the most revered and respectable personality. Amidst renowned scholars and religious preachers, Khwaja Farooq Renzu had the honor to lay the foundation stone of Islamic university at Narhara, Budgam. His key note address to all ambassadors of Central Asian countries and visiting scholars on “Kashmir to Kashgar” at Kashmir University was considered the best lecture of the year 2008 telecasted repeatedly by all media channels of the valley. Khawaja Farooq Renzu was earlier residing at Nawa kadal near ancestral place of Hazrat Renzu Shah first Muslim king of Kashmir and now he resides at Ishber, Nishat on the mountain hills adjacent to Harwan where third Buddhist world conference was held, which was attended by Great Kanishka.

His father Khwaja G M Renzu was a devoted Muslim. He was a regular visitor of Peer Dastgeer, Makhdoom Sahib, Bulbul Shah, Khanakah and Hazratbal Shrines. In his residence at Ishber his father offered prayers day and night and fully dedicated his life for pious causes. He is buried in Ishber near Akhoon Shrine graveyard. The shrine of Bulbul Jalal-u-din Balkhi is also adjacent to his house. Before Khwaja Farooq Renzu was born, his mother Muhtarama Sara, who was a devoted religious woman, had seen a dream in which she saw her son born with the word Allah written on his forehead. Khwaja Farooq was born with the word Allah written on his forehead, which has become his mark of identity.

Email: renzushah@kashmirsufism.org

Owais Raheem

Co-Founder of Kashmir Sufism society

A firm believer in Sufism, Owais Raheem is a well-known professional Photographer and Documentary Filmmaker of Kashmir. He has produced and directed many documentaries on diverse subjects, which have been screened at various International film festivals throughout the world.

Born into a spiritual family, he has grown up in the atmosphere where Sufism is the way of life. His pious father introduced him to the teachings of Sufi Saints of Kashmir which had a great influence on his life. As he grew up, he visited many shrines of Great Sufi Saints of Kashmir and studied many books on Sufism. Several Spiritual persons well-versed in Sufism visit his house and participate in lengthy discussions and organize all night Sufiyana Mehfils regularly.

He has decided to use his creativity and professional expertise to spread information about Kashmir Sufism throughout the world through Kashmir Sufism Society and this has become the topmost mission of his life.

Email: owais@kashmirsufism.org

Reetu Asrani

Co-Founder of Kashmir Sufism Society

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Reetu Asrani completed her graduation from Mumbai University and post graduation in media studies from St.Xaviers Institute of Communications. Her late father Mr. Vishindas Asrani was a writer-publisher who had written 52 books. His book “Sufi Saints of Sindh” was popular throughout the world. Reetu Asrani started her writing career at the age of 12 by writing short stories for children’s magazine .As she grew up she wrote for many popular newspapers including Times of India and Mid-day, features for international magazines , scripts for All India Radio and Doordarshan and columns for various websites. She anchored shows on Radio and TV channels like Sony, Zee, DD Mumbai and Aastha. She owns a production house and produces documentary films.

Since 2003, she has done lot of research in Kashmir. Her weekly column on Kashmir appeared for one year in Mumbai’s newspaper ‘Twin city Times’ and she has authored two books on Kashmir. Her columns on Kashmir have appeared in travel magazines like ‘An Indian Journey’

She has jointly produced and directed along with Owais Raheem, seven short films on Kashmir highlighting the beauty and culture of Kashmir.

Email: reetuasrani@kashmirsufism.org