Press Release

Rumi Night in Washington: Celebrating a Message of Love, Freedom, and Human Harmony

Washington, D.C. — September 4, 2026 — The Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) will host “Rumi Night in Washington” on September 28, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

Rumi Night in Washington celebrates the life, thought, and legacy of Jalaluddin Mohammed Balkhi (Rumi). More than eight centuries later, his legacy continues to carry a message of love, freedom, tolerance, and human coexistence. The evening will also celebrate Rumi’s 819th birthday.

This year’s program will feature the launch of the Persian edition of Mustafa Akyol’s “Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance”, a special address by Professor Michael Barry, as well as mystical music performances and a documentary screening.

This event will be held as part of the third edition of the AISS’ annual Washington Darbar. Washington Darbar serves as a platform for dialogue on intellectual, cultural, political, and broader civilizational issues, connecting scholarly dialogue with the region's and the wider world's intellectual and cultural heritage. This year, the academic component of the third Washington Darbar is dedicated to Religious Freedom and will take in Washington D.C. Further information about the conference is available on the AISS website.

Prior registration is required. Register via the LINK.

For further information, please contact:
Email: contacts@aissonline.org
Phone/WhatsApp: +1 (613) 983-0028
Website: aissonline.or