Meet an innoFaither: Ibrahim Anli
Meet Ibrahim Anli, Executive Director of the Rumi Forum, writer, teacher, convener, and interfaith champion and innovator. Ibrahim brings a deep curiosity, robust spirituality, strong intellect, and joyful openness to shaping interfaith engagement that engages all and cultivates a better world. Originally from Turkey, Ibrahim now lives in Haymarket, VA, and works in Washington, DC.
What faith(s), if any, do you practice? How does your tradition and/or spiritual practice inspire or influence you as an innovator?
I am a Muslim born and raised in the Sunni denomination. My practice of Islam is grounded on the mainline understanding of observance as outlined in Islam’s body of ritual knowledge while maintaining an emphasis on its spiritual dimension. A foundational attribute of the tradition is self-reflexivity as opposed to absolutism. It asserts that while the core tenets of faith remain intact, there needs to be a continuous intellectual and practical effort to recalibrate our understanding in light of the present context. Since no single authority holds the exclusive right to close interpretive debates, a healthy plurality of ideas and approaches is not just encouraged—it is essential. Muslims therefore are supposed to maintain a free market of ideas, approaches, and solutions in order to avoid what one may call theological deprivation. This entire climate, by definition, is a constant call for renewal and serves as one of the primary sources of inspiration in my journey.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently leading a book project that brings together voices from diverse faith communities. Each contributor is responding to the same question: What is your favorite teaching, scripture, or piece of wisdom from your tradition, and why? The aim is to present a tapestry of spiritual insights through personal lenses, making faith literacy more accessible and engaging. The book is designed to be a resource for multifaith dialogues, book clubs, and study groups.
What can we find you doing when you’re not working?
Spending quality time with my family is my top priority outside of work. I also enjoy brief retreats into Virginia’s green countryside—those quiet moments in nature are deeply rejuvenating. And whenever I get the chance, you’ll find me diving into books on history and world affairs, trying to expand my understanding of human experience along its two essential dimensions of time and space.
What is piquing your curiosity these days?
Interfaith work became larger in size and number of communities involved particularly over the last two decades. The most pressing curiosity in my mind is what should be the new grand mission for the interfaith endeavor: Considering the special role faith has played in the story of our country, how can our work help reinforce our contractual foundations with relational bonds? How can faith best serve as a prophetic voice in times of division? How do we ensure a healthy, principled distance between faith and partisan politics?
What is something you’d like help on?
Young adults are showing less interest in conventional interfaith programs. This may be a result of their ongoing spiritual search, life transitions, or shifting priorities. I believe we need innovative thinkers to help reimagine the language and design of interfaith programming to better resonate with this demographic. I’m so eager to collaborate with colleagues and organizations to develop messaging and formats that meet young adults where they are.
What is something you can offer others in the innoFaith network?
Definitely a huge deal of curiosity. I am always willing to listen as to how we can make innovation a helpful asset in the realm of faith. I keep weaving between pursuing my work in the field and speaking in circles where we discuss the current state of interfaith work and how to make it better. I have spoken to numerous audiences during that journey and will always be more than happy to offer insights. On a more institutional level, I encourage like minded individual and entities to consider collaboration with Rumi Forum. Our work spans across a large spectrum, from building relationships through our various interfaith programs to generating knowledge through our research center. We are also capable of facilitating nationwide connections thanks to the Alliance for Shared Values we are part of.
You can find Ibrahim on LinkedIn.
Meet an innoFaither is our series to introduce the inspiring optimists in the innoFaith world and what they’re working on and thinking about. We hope it helps you find and engage with each other across the network to advance faith-rooted social innovation and interfaith collaboration for social impact. Or just meet some cool people. Find the full series at www.innofaith.org/meet-an-innofaither.