The Inayatiyya is an esoteric school which provides a setting in which real spiritual experience is possible. We encourage awakening in life, and we work towards a balanced and grounded spirituality. We also encourage an attitude of affirmation of the common ideals of all religious faiths. We do not require an acceptance of any specific religious beliefs, nor do we seek to convert anyone from one faith to another. We feel that real development can only take place if people work with what is meaningful for them, and that a deepening of one's spiritual experience is essential to informed belief. We try to create a safe environment where people will feel free to be spiritually open. Because of this need, we discourage discussions or debates on religious opinions or theology. Instead we attempt to focus any discussion on the experiences which result from spiritual practice.
Our hope for our students is that they will find deeper meaning in their own religious beliefs through the experiences gained in our school, and that they will develop an enhanced tolerance towards religious beliefs other than their own.
The Inayatiyya was founded by Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan (1882 – 1927) and, until his death, was led by his son, Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan (1916-2004). Pir Zia Inayat Khan, the son and spiritual successor of Pir Vilayat, now leads the Inayatiyya Order.