About ICONS
The Islamic Centre of Noorbakhshi Studies (ICONS) is dedicated to the preservation, documentation and scholarly study of Islamic intellectual heritage, with particular emphasis on the teachings, literature and spiritual legacy of the Noorbakhshi Sufi tradition. Through the Noorbakhsh Digital Library, research, publications, educational initiatives and collaboration with scholars and heritage institutions, ICONS seeks to safeguard valuable sources of knowledge and make them accessible to present and future generations.
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The cultural heritage of the Noorbakhshi Sufi Order is a remarkable expression of the spiritual, intellectual, architectural, and artistic traditions of Islam in the Karakuran-Himalayan region, particularly in Baltistan, Kargil and Ladaakh. Rooted in the teachings of the great Sufi saints, this heritage reflects centuries of devotion, learning, and community life. Among its most precious treasures are the historic mosques and khanqahs especially the magnificent wooden structures of Baltistan, renowned for their distinctive indigenous architecture, intricate woodwork, traditional craftsmanship, and deep spiritual significance.
Research Articles
The Nurbakhshis of Baltistan: Crisis and Revival of a Five Centuries Old Community
The Sufi order named after Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh (1392-1464), a branch of the Kubrawiyya,1 has been suppressed or merged with orthodo...
Baha’ al-Dawlah Razi (860-912 AH), the Innovator Surgeon, Empiricist Physician and Pioneer in Immunology
Baha’ al-Dawlah Razi was one of the most important physicians in Safafid dynasty in Iran. He wrote his large medical book, Kholasat al-Ta...
Islamic Khanqah Prayer Halls in Baltistan (Little Tibbet)
Islamic khanqah prayer halls are characteristic of Baltistan, where at least twenty such prayer houses can still be found today. The two ...
The Development of the Nūrbakhshī Sufi Order in Gilgit-Baltistan: A Historical Account
Islam came to Gilgit-Baltistan with various invaders and missionaries from adjacent neighbouring regions but there is a lack of tangible ...