Fariba Enteshari was born in Shiraz, Iran, where she grew up with the poetry of Hafiz and Saadi, two famous Sufi poets of Shiraz. She was educated in Germany and the United States. Fariba has studied the Mathnawi, a six volume poem, in its original Farsi for 12 years with international Rumi scholars and has taught Rumi's teachings at the University of Southern California, Santa Barbara City College and other institutions. Fariba teaches courses on Rumi's poetry and teachings, speaks at conferences and special engagements, and leads workshops and seminars on a regular basis. She directs the Rumi Educational Center, an interfaith, cross-cultural, educational center.

In response to an interviewer's question, "How did you come to devote your life to Rumi's work, Fariba responded,

"The answer to this question is still unfolding within my inward journey. We are not forced to do anything. We are only chosen. To be chosen does not mean anything by itself, but the meaning of what you are chosen to do does. Once we make that choice, the Divine comes to meet us and gives us assistance that is beyond our capabilities.

"Rumi tells us to look inside and find ourselves. He is the healer of our time. I am dedicated to spreading his teaching which profoundly changes you from the inside out and provides a key to interfaith understanding, that ultimately unites us as humanity on a global scale."

Fariba Enteshari is available for lecture presentations, workshops, and interviews. If you are interested in booking an engagement, please send email to fariba@rumiedu.com