Mevlana
Mevlana Moseleum

Who are we?
This site is a memorial for our great-grandfather, Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi*. Some of you may know us as the Whirling Dervishes due to our famous practice of whirling as a form of remembrance of God.

Dr. ÇelebiIn 1996 we lost Dr. Celaleddin Bakir Çelebi, the leader of our family and the Mevlevi sect. He was the 19th great-grandson of Mevlana and the 32nd Çelebi since Mevlana's death. Our family tree spans 800 years and includes 26 generations. The Çelebi family is one of the oldest families in the world.

In the same year with Dr. Celebi's moral support, we established the International Mevlana Foundation. to conduct research on Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi's works and thoughts, preserving them for generations to come.

Click here to follow the current activities.

Yenikapi Mevlevihane

Who is Mevlana?
Mevlana Celaddiin-i Rumi is a 13th century Muslim saint and Anatolian mystic known throughout the world for his exquisite poems and words of wisdom, which have been translated into many languages. Rumi, as he is known in the west, is the best selling poet in USA. The United Nations declared 2007 The Year of Rumi and celebrations were held world wide.

Mevlana was a Muslim, but not an orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. To him all religions were more or less truth. Mevlana looked with the same eye on Muslim, Jew and Christian alike. His peaceful and tolerant teachings have appealed to men of all sects and creeds. In 1958, Pope John XXIII wrote a special message saying: “In the name of the Catholic World, I bow with respect before the memory of Rumi.”

Mevlana died on 17 December 1273 and was laid to rest beside his father in Konya, in present day Turkey. A splendid shrine, the Mevlana Moseleum was erected over their remains, which is now a museum and place of pilgrimage. Every year on that day, at this magnificient 13th century mausoleum we celebrate Seb-i Arus, his 'Wedding Day', together with thousands of people from all around the world. more

Whirling Dervishes
The 'dance' of the Whirling Dervishes is called Sema and is a part of the inspiration of Mevlana and has become part of Turkish custom, history, beliefs and culture.

Whirling Derwish

Sema represents a mystical journey of man's spiritual ascent through mind and love to "Perfect". Whirling towards the truth, his growth, through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrive to the "Perfect". He returns from this spiritual journey as a man who reached maturity and greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation, to all creatures without discrimination of believes, races, classes and nations. more

(*) Alternative spellings:
Mawlana or Mowlana and Jalal Al-Din or Jalaluddin.

© The Çelebi Family

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