Saiyed Shahbazi
Current Shaykh & Founder
Born and raised in a Sufi family in Bangladesh, Saiyed Shahbazi was appointed as a Shaykh at a young age. He soon began to question many of the common ideas and practices of Sufism. He realized that without proper education and knowledge of traditional Sufism and the Shari’a, disciples of a Shaykh could easily be mislead and, even worse, fooled and abused.
Shahbazi has fought to inform the uneducated classes of the pitfalls of modern-day Sufism. He has created this website in the continued effort to inform people in general, and especially those interested in Sufism, about the true nature of Islam and the beauty of Sufism in it’s original state.
Shahbazi’s ultimate goal is to create a school, The Shahbaz Center, which will teach these Islamic practices of love, peace and harmony of mankind.
Present State of the Foundation
With the will of God and the blessings of His Prophet (Sallallahu ʿAlaihi Wassalam), the Foundation’s work is steadily taking shape across Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India through a network of schools, madrasas, khanqahs, and spiritual retreat centers.
In Bangladesh, its presence includes Maghbazar (Dhaka) and centers in Ghausia Rupganj, Panchagarh, Rajshahi, and Comilla.
These centers host educational and spiritual activities and organize religious gatherings on significant Islamic occasions, most notably Meelad un Nabi, observed as the Celebration of the Beloved.
The Foundation has established key facilities, including a 50-resident dormitory, a library, a prayer hall, a khanqah, and essential services. It currently operates a school up to Grade 8, with plans to expand into secondary education, higher institutions, and a future university.
Publication and research centers are already active, disseminating classical and contemporary Sufi literature, alongside provisions for lectures, spiritual retreat, solar-based energy solutions, and strengthened digital infrastructure.
The Khanqah Beyond Walls
We hold that a true khanqah is not confined to walls or structures; rather, wherever the seeker turns inward with sincerity, the heart itself becomes both the khanqah and the dwelling of spiritual realization.
Our Impact
Our work is guided by faith and compassion – feeding the hungry, healing the unwell, and inspiring hearts through culture, knowledge and community
Dastarkhan
Dastarkhan is a community meal program by the Shahbaz Foundation, launched on June 1, 2023, to serve those in need across Dhaka and Rupganj.
Meals are distributed six days a week in Dhaka and three days a week in Rupganj, feeding around 150–200 people each day. The menu includes rice, lentils, vegetables, and mashed potatoes, with fish served twice a week and chicken at least once a week.
Supported by regular donors and open to new contributions, Dastarkhan continues to serve with compassion, dignity, and faith.
Chhaya
Chhaya is a healthcare initiative of the Shahbaz Foundation, offering free medical check-ups and medicines to the underprivileged in Rupganj.
Conducted twice a month—on the second and last Sundays—each session supports around 35 patients and provides approximately ৳7,000 worth of medicines at no cost. Occasionally, extra sessions are held when additional Sundays allow.
Chhaya reflects our commitment to care, community health, and compassion in service.
The Space
The Space is the cultural and spiritual platform of the Shahbaz Foundation, dedicated to celebrating art, dialogue, and devotion.
Its signature event, Celebration of the Beloved (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalam), now in its seventh year, anchors the initiative’s calendar.
Other programs include Sufi Fest, An Evening with Rumi, Rumi & Khusro, and workshops like Sufism in Dhaka – all designed to inspire connection and deepen understanding. The Space nurtures cultural expression and spiritual growth within the community.
Brito
Brito is the publishing and literary wing of the Shahbaz Foundation, dedicated to sharing works that inspire reflection, faith, and understanding. Through Brito, we aim to publish and preserve writings that enrich the spiritual and intellectual heritage of our community.
Currently, the team is working on its first publication — a book on Sufi thought and tradition — marking the beginning of a journey to make meaningful literature accessible to all.
FAHM
FAHM serves as the research and scholarship division of the Shahbaz Foundation, focused on deepening the understanding of spiritual knowledge and heritage. The team is currently engaged in projects such as translating the works of Shaykh Mohyi Uddin Ibn Arabi and conducting research on Hazrat Shah Jalal (R.A.) and his legacy in Sylhet.
Through FAHM, the Foundation continues to promote authentic scholarship, translation, and research, bridging classical wisdom with contemporary reflection.
Shahbaz Academia
This is the educational wing of the Shahbaz Foundation, dedicated to nurturing both academic excellence and spiritual growth.
Operating across Panchagarh, Aukhabo, Golakandail, Rupganj, and Dhaka, the network offers a blend of Bangla-medium education, English instruction, and Hifz (Qur’an memorization).
A Hadith to Live By
“From morning until night and from night until morning, keep your heart free from malice toward anyone.”
— Adapted from Musnad Ahmad (Book 4, Hadith 23408)