KONYA HOSTS PROMINENT FIGURES FOR MEVLANA CEREMONIES
KONYA - The central province of Konya is hosting
prominent figures for ceremonies of the 736th anniversary of the death
of Mevlana Jalal al-Din Rumi.
Konya Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Mustafa Cipan told the A.A correspondent that the ceremonies started on December 7 and would continue till December 17.
"There has been a great interest in Mevlana ceremonies. Almost all rooms are booked in hotels in Konya. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to attend Seb-i Arus," he said.
Cipan said several foreign senior authorities were invited to ceremonies.
Mevlana was born on September 30, 1207 in Balkh in present day Afghanistan. He died in Konya on December 17, 1273. He was laid to eternal rest beside his father and over his remains in a splendid shrine that was erected in Konya.
Mevlana devoted himself to the pursuit of Sufi mysticism, in which he was justly regarded as the supreme master. He was the spiritual founder of the Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes.
"Come, come again, whoever you are, come! Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come! Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times. Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are," is his famous motto that has been seen as a symbol of tolerance and love for centuries.
