Iranian Sufi and a noted psychiatrist. A Sufi who was also a noted psychiatrist, author and medical clinic director, Javad Nurbakhsh, established many khanaqahs in many parts of Iran and across the wide world. As the head of psychiatry department at Tehran University, Javad also served as director of the Ruzbih Mental Hospital. In 1979, Javad left Iran for USA where he set up several khanaqahs across the country. Four years later he moved to Britain. Between 1974 and 2008, he established 35 Nimatullahi, the branch of Sufism he belonged to, Khanaqahs outside Iran in Western Europe, Russia, Canada, Mexico, the US, Australia and five West African countries. Many books written by Javad Nurbakhsh have been published in the US, on the Sufi view of women, Jesus, spiritual poverty, psychology and other issues. These books were translated into various languages. His prolific output includes some of the most significant contributions to Islamic Sufi studies in the West. Javad Nurbaksh was born in the city of Kerman, the son of a successful merchant. He passed away in London.