In his message on the 747th reunion anniversary of Mevlana Jalaluddin al-Rumi, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan noted, “Inspired by Mevlana, we extend our helping hand to all people regardless of their language, race and religion, and we exert efforts to ensure that peace and justice prevail in our region.”
In his message on the 747th death anniversary of Mevlana Jalaluddin al-Rumi, President Erdoğan commemorated Mevlana, the Sufi mystic, poet and Islamic scholar, who is also one of the spiritual architects of Anatolia.
“I pray to Allah that He will honour us, our nation and whole humanity to be witnessed by Mevlana," stated President Erdoğan, adding that although it has been seven and a half centuries since his death, the secret that keeps Mevlana always young was love and affection.
President Erdoğan stressed that as indicated by Mevlana, even though there were many ways to reach Allah, he chose love, and that he made his comments with love and fermented these lands with love, and noted the following:
"The advice distilled in Mevlana’s heart have erased mischief, dissension and envy, and helped establish a climate of fraternity beyond ages and borders. Likewise, millions of people from different languages, religions and cultures benefit from his wisdom and seek peace and tranquillity in the unique depth of the Masnavi Sharif even seven and a half centuries have passed since it was written. As a nation, we praise Allah for possessing such a rich spiritual treasure dating back to many centuries. Furthermore, considering all the poverty, misery, ignorance and conflict occurring in the world, we much better understand how we need Mevlana’s message of peace and love.”
President Erdoğan stated that the blind ideologies pushing people into divergence and the world into polarisation were driving everyone towards a dangerous point.
Stating that the cultural racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia have been spreading like poison ivy particularly among the western societies, the sacred has been targeted under the pretence of freedom of thought, and people have been made enemies of each other because of their beliefs, languages and appearances, President Erdoğan made the following remarks:
“In the face of this desperate picture, we, as Turkey, are carrying the banner for the blessed teachings of Mevlana, who focuses on the human, love, peace, tolerance, morals and virtue. Inspired by Mevlana, we extend our helping hand to all people regardless of their language, race and religion, and we exert efforts to ensure that peace and justice prevail in our region. Despite the modern-day bandits who know nothing other than how to kill, massacre, burn and demolish, we will continue to carry the torch of love, friendship and wisdom kindled by Mevlana. May Allah never let us stray from Mevlana’s path of science and love. With these thoughts, on the 747th anniversary of the reunion night, I remember with grace all the sultans of our hearts, especially Mevlana, and wish that all the prayers, sama rituals and Evrad-i Sharif to be performed tonight will be approved in the presence of Allah.”