The International Sufi Movement was founded by Hazrat Inayat Khan with the following objects:

1. To realize and spread the knowledge of Unity, the religion of love and wisdom, so that the bias of faiths and beliefs may of itself fall away, the human heart may overflow with love, and all hatred caused by distinctions and differences may be rooted out.
2. To discover the light and power latent in man, the secret of all religion, the power of mysticism, and the essence of philosophy, without interfering with customs or beliefs.
3. To help to bring the world's two opposite poles, East and West, close together by the interchange of thought and idea; that the universal brotherhood may form of itself, and may meet with man beyond the narrow national and racial boundaries.

The Sufi Movement is organized in five separate Activities:

The Brotherhood/Sisterhood Activity

Universal Worship

The School of Inner Culture, or the Esoteric Activity

Spiritual Healing

Symbology

The Representative-General is the President of the Sufi Movement and the head of the five Activities; the Executive Supervisor is the Vice-president. As well as a General Secretary and a Treasurer, there are Secretaries for each of the five Activities.

There are numerous national organizations affiliated with the International Sufi Movement, and the work is carried on by local, regional and national representatives.