Rumi’s message of love is eternal, Erdoğan says to mark poet’s death anniversary
KONYA – Anadolu Agency
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Dec. 17 marked the 744th death anniversary of the renowned 13th century poet, scholar and Sufi mystic Rumi.
“The flames of love that Mevlana ignited are still burning even though seven and half centuries have passed,” Erdoğan said at a ceremony in the Central Anatolian province of Konya, where Rumi is buried.
“Our hearts, which had become barren, sprouted again thanks to the Mesnevi and the wisdom of Mevlana’s teachings,” he added.
Rumi is fondly remembered by his followers in Turkey as Mevlana, which is one word for “scholar.”
Rumi’s epic Mesnevi poem, which contains more than 50,000 verses, is considered the most influential work in Sufism, and has been translated into 25 languages.
He penned the poem on man’s predicament in his search for God after losing his friend, the wandering dervish Shams Tabriz.
Upon his death in 1273, Rumi’s followers founded the Mevlevi Order, also known as the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, famous for the Sufi dance known as the “Samah” ceremony.
Every year, an international commemoration ceremony marks the anniversary of Rumi’s union with God, known as “Şeb-i Arus,” or “the night of union,” which is held in Konya from Dec. 7 to 17 to commemorate the scholar.
