ISTANBUL

Türkiye’s central Konya province once again became a cultural hub as visitors from around the world gathered to mark the 752nd anniversary of the passing of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi - the revered Islamic scholar, poet, and Sufi mystic.

The commemorations began with the rhythmic whirl of dervishes, setting the tone for an 11-day program themed “Time for Serenity.” The opening ceremony - widely known as “Seb-i Arus,” meaning “the night of union” in reference to Rumi’s reunion with the Divine—blended poetry, prayer, and quiet reflection, bringing guests and officials to the Mevlana Culture Center on Dec. 7, 2025.

At the heart of the observance was the Sema, the devotional whirling ritual symbolizing spiritual ascent and Mevlana’s understanding of vuslat, or reunion with the Divine.

Performed as part of the Mevlevi tradition established after his passing in 1273, the ritual follows a carefully structured sequence: it opens with the Nat-i Serif in praise of Prophet Muhammad, proceeds with the entry of semazens with arms crossed, and continues as they remove their waistcoats - a gesture of leaving the ego behind - before beginning the whirling. The ceremony ends with greetings of peace and a recitation from the Holy Quran.

In 2008, UNESCO recognized the Sema as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”

Speaking at the Mevlana Culture Center, Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry Fine Arts Director General Omer Faruk Belviranli said on Sunday that generations of spiritually minded scholars and “friends of the heart” have shaped an Islamic tradition on these lands that "continues to illuminate the present day.”

He noted that the ministry has prepared an extensive 11-day program for “friends of Mevlana,” stressing its importance for the institution.

He described Konya as “a blessed city of luminous scholars,” rooted in the legacy of Mevlana and the thinkers who shaped its spiritual identity.

Marking the 752nd vuslat anniversary, he said, offers “a profound opportunity for love and spiritual connection.”

Belviranlı added that Konya draws visitors not only from across Türkiye but also from countries as far as the US and Japan, all eager to witness the Sema. This year’s program, he said, brings together leading ministry artists and respected scholars of Mevlana and Sufi thought.

- Rumi’s legacy

In Türkiye, Rumi is affectionately known as Mevlana - meaning “our master” or “scholar”- and his mausoleum in Konya continues to attract millions of pilgrims each year.

Born in 1207 to a Turkic family in what is now Afghanistan, Rumi is one of the most widely read thinkers in the world. His teachings on compassion, unity, and divine love have long transcended borders of culture, language, and religion.

His masterwork, the Masnavi, written after the loss of his beloved mentor Shams Tabrizi, explores themes of spiritual love, humility, and tolerance. The text helped define a spiritual tradition spanning Türkiye, Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia and remains a foundational work of Sufi literature.

With more than 50,000 verses, the Masnavi is regarded as one of Sufism’s most influential texts and has been translated from its original Persian into 26 languages, including Turkish, English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

Rumi also authored the Divan-i Kabir, a monumental collection of over 40,000 lyrical poems that further solidified his impact on Islamic mysticism and world literature.