Monday, April 23, 2012

The 800th anniversary of the birth of the thought of Rumi


Thinking Jalalud - din Rumi, is one of the most universal of Islamic Saints, poet, humanist, jurist, and theologian is 800 years old. With this article, I would like to explain briefly some general information about his works, ideas, and the man himself.

2007 is the 800th anniversary of the birth of thought Jalal ud-din Rumi, the great humanist, Mystic, poet and theologian. On the proposal of the culture and Tourism Ministry, Turkey, in 2007 it was proposed as the "international Rumi year" to UNESCO. UNESCO issued a medal in his name in association with the 800th anniversary of his birth. The objective is to Rumi 800 anniversary birthday celebrated around the world.

Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi was born in 1207 in Balkh, today Afghanistan. At the age of 21 years, Rumi settled in the "Seljuk Turks" where lived the greater part of his life until he died 17 December 1273 in Konya, Turkey.

It remains one of the greatest thinkers and scholars of Islamic civilization. He went to all humanity: "I do not distinguish between the family and the stranger".

The world of thought is not exclusive, but is rather the staff of a human being – i.e. a fully evolved human being. It offends anyone and includes worldwide, as a perfect human being who is in search of love, truth and unity of the human soul.

Very broad thinking resource, very advanced thinking, humanism and the open heart and mind may derive from his truly cosmopolitan nature, and during his lifetime he enjoyed exceptionally good relations with people from various backgrounds, social, cultural and religious. Thought was familiar with the basic message of all of them and, therefore, was appreciated by the believers of many religions. The majority of scholars who have studied the thought admits that it was not more beautiful tribute to the universality of the thought of his funeral, attended a marathon 40 days of mourning for the distraught and weeping Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and Zoroastrians who cried in such a way that one had believed that thought belonged to each of them.

He produced five major works of prose and verse. His six-volume poem Masnav-i Manavi (spiritual couplets) is considered as his masterpiece. 1 Divan Kebir (the great Divan), another piece of verse. Fihi Ma player (in what is therein) contains his conversations with the people and his disciples. Majlis-I Sab' (seven sessions), cover his sermons and Mektubat (letters) compiled his 147 letters "Seljuk sultans" and personalities of the time...

"Generosity and help to others to be like a river"

In the compassion and grace of being like the Sun

In the concealment of other bugs look like a night

In anger and fury look like the dead

In modesty and humility being just like the Earth

In tolerance as a sea

"Well there are as it is or as you can see"

In his passion, honesty and wonderful images, writings of thought have become a means to connect directly with the divine. Their works, thoughts and teachings give Supreme testimony, in a way that transcends all borders national, cultural and civilization, the mysteries of the divine truth sweets. His religious thought and understanding is an exemplary demonstration of a transcendental School of the divine message.

"They come!..." Whatever, come whatever happens...

If you're an infidel, a fire worshipper or an idolater...

If foresworn have hundred times

If one hundred times have broken their oath...

This door here is not any door to despair;

"Come as you are!"

The main theme and the message of the thoughts and teachings of Rumi is the love of God and his creatures. The focus of his philosophy is the humanity and its objective is to reach and help others reach the State of the perfect human being. He founded the mystical Mevlevi, commonly known as the "Dervish" and created the rite of the Sema, a sacred ritual dance symbolically for the divine truth and maturity. Message and teachings of Rumi will continue today to inspire people of all religions and cultures and show us how to live together in peace and harmony.

It is significant that the Mevlevi Sema ceremony was proclaimed by UNESCO as a "masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of humanity" in 2005. In other words, Sema ceremony, symbolic and unique expression of the teachings of Rumi appears between the Oral and intangible heritage of humanity.

In recognition of the conformity of the message of Rumi with the objectives and the Mission of UNESCO, on the proposal of Turkey along with Afghanistan and Egypt, the 33rd General Conference of UNESCO decided to associate UNESCO with the celebration of the 800th anniversary of the birth of Rumi in 2007. UNESCO also issued a Commemorative Medal on the same occasion...

In June and September of 2007 Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran jointly celebrate the occasion at the UN and the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris and New York, respectively, with a series of events which includes a programme including a Roundtable, "Sema ceremony" and an exhibition on the vision and works of Rumi.

The Turkish Government also organized an international symposium on Rumi on May 8-12, 2007 in Istanbul and Konya where hundreds of personalities, academics and researchers to have knowledge about the philosophy of Rumi gathered and shared their knowledge.

A special program of mystical music of Mevlevi, ceremonies of Sema spinning Dervishes, conferences and exhibitions were held in several cities in Turkey and around the world. A commemorative stamp and a commemorative coin was issued for the same occasion by the Postal Administration of Turkish...

Vision of Rumi and the message of love, peace and harmony between humanity has never been more relevant. The 800th anniversary of his birth in 2007, gives us the opportunity to remember and practice this vision and message.




Gurhan Ebren is the owner of the pass travel, tourism and travel agency specializing in yachts and sailboats tours in Turkey since 1985. Visit http://www.elpasotravel.net for more information about tourism and sailing holidays in Turkey.