25 February 2018•Update: 26 February 2018
By Mutasim Billah
DHAKA,Bangladesh
The Turkish embassy in Bangladesh and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) hosted a traditional ceremony of Sufi whirling dervishes on Saturday in the capital Dhaka.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Dhaka Shilpakala Academy, Allama Rumi Society Bangladesh and Hatkhola Foundation jointly organized the three-day Second International Sufi Festival.
Addressing the ceremony, Turkish Ambassador Devrim Ozturk explained the significance of the ceremony and Rumi's philosophy.
“Sufism is a message of love,” Ozturk said, and added the interpretation of Sufism in Turkey and Bangladesh is slightly different but its main message of love and unity is same.
“We hope this message will reach all over the world in this difficult time when world needs peace, harmony and tolerance.”
Syed Rezaul Karim, adviser in the Allama Rumi Society Bangladesh, said Rumi’s message of love and tolerance has become more relevant because of the ongoing conflicts in the world and the hatred among the people.
Speaking about the festival, Karim said that it was initiated last year when the first program was organized in Chittagong.
Speaking about Sema -- an act of “whirling” accompanied by music and characterized by certain rules -- he said: “Anyone who understands this whirling also understands the God.”
Stressing the significance of the festival, Yusuf Muhammed, coordinator and general secretary of Hatkhola Foundation, said it is vital to organize such festivals at a time when suicides and lack of harmony are common.
