Muzaffer Ozak(1981-1985)
Muzaffer Ozak (1916–1985) was the founding chairman of the Foundation for the Research and Preservation of Turkish Sufi Music and Folklore, and served as chairman of the foundation between 1981 and 1986. He was an exceptional man of the heart who devoted his life to knowledge, wisdom and spiritual guidance. As the Honorary Custodian of the Nûreddin Cerrâhî Mausoleum, Muzaffer Ozak Efendi promoted the Turkish Sufi tradition on an international level through the spiritual guidance activities he conducted in the imperial mosques of Turkey, as well as through the lectures, concerts and Halvetî rituals he organised in Europe and America. His works, *Irshad*, *Envârü’l-Kulûb* and *Zîynetü’l-Kulûb*, are regarded as important sources in their field.
Safer Dal(1986-1999)
Safer Dal (1926–1999) was the second president of the Foundation for the Research and Preservation of Turkish Sufi Music and Folklore, serving as president from 1986 to 1999. A disciple of Fahreddin Erenden Efendi, Safer Dal Efendi served him until his passing; he learnt the fundamental principles, rituals, music and details of the order’s attire of the Sufi tradition directly from him. From 1966 onwards, under the leadership of Muzaffer Ozak Efendi, he contributed to the promotion of the Turkish Sufi tradition through conferences, concerts and Halveti ceremonies held both at home and abroad. In his Sufi discourses, he adopted a simple, inclusive and affectionate style; he rendered significant services in the preservation, archiving and transmission of tekke music to new generations.
Ömer Tuğrul İnançer(1999-2022)
Ömer Tuğrul İnançer (1946–2022) was the third president of the Foundation for the Research and Preservation of Turkish Sufi Music and Folklore, serving in this role from 1999 to 2022. A student of Muzaffer Ozak Efendi and Safer Dal Efendi, İnançer actively participated in the Şeb-i Arûs ceremonies held in Konya from 1971 until his death; he was a member of the musical ensemble and contributed to the ceremonies through his lessons on the Mesnevi and his opening speeches. Through his activities both in Turkey and abroad, he contributed to the promotion of Sufi culture and Turkish classical music. From 1991 until his retirement, he served as director of the Istanbul Historical Turkish Music Ensemble at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The author of numerous books and journal articles, İnançer rendered significant services, particularly through his Sufi activities in the Balkan region.