MEVLANA

Mevlana Celaleddın, the great poet and human being, the most esteemed representative in history of Islamic thought, was born in Belh in 1207. He came to Anatolia with his father, Bahattin Veled, and settled in Konya. His father was his first teacher. Later, his knowledge was increased through contact with various teachers, especially Şemsi Tebrizi. Mevlana, who had many students, generally wrote his works in Farsi. His principal works are: Mesnevi, Divan-ı Kebir, Rubailer (Quatrains), Mecalis-i Seba, Mektubat and Fih-i ma-Fih. In his works, the predominate themes are love, the Universal meaning of Islam, and the mystical soul, Hz. Mevlana closed his luminous eyes in Konya on Dec.17,1273, and came together with his Beloved.

THE MEVLANA MUSEUM

In 1247, a mausoleum was built in a rose-garden presented to Sultan-ul Ulema (the chief scholar) Bahaeddin Veled (Mevlana's father), by the Seljuk ruler. A conical hat (külah), covered with tile was added in 1396. This place, Mevlana Celaleddin's mausoleum, was first opened to the public as a museum in 1927. Properties and works belonging to Mevlana and Mevlevi Order, such as Mevlevi musical instruments, specimens of calligraphy, fabrics and carpets, are on display in the museum.

THE MAUSOLEUM OF SHEMS OF TABRIZ

Located in the Shems quarter and surrounded by a park, the construction date of the mausoleum and the mesjid is unknown. Under the dome lies the sarcophagous of Shems of Tebriz.

Seven advice of MEVLANA

* In generosity and helping others be like a river.
* In compassion and grace be like sun.
* In concealing others' faults be like night.
* In anger and fury be like dead.
* In modesty and humility be like earth.
* In tolerance be like a sea.
* Either exist as you are or be as you look.

Come, come whatever you are, it doesn't matter
Whether you are an infidel, an idolater or a fire-worshiper,
Come, our convent is not a place of despair.
Come, even if you violated your swear a hundred times, come again.
Hz. MEVLANA