President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a message to the 751st International Commemoration Ceremony of Rumi's Anniversary of Reunion, which took place at the Mevlana Cultural Centre.
In his message, President Erdoğan said, "Following in the footsteps of Rumi (Hazreti Mevlana), we keep one foot firmly planted in our country, like a compass, as the other foot roams across the world, doing our best to bring about peace, tranquillity, and prosperity to humanity."
President Erdoğan remembered the great thinker, mystic, and sultan of the heart, Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, with mercy.
President Erdoğan stated in his message that he greeted those who participated in the commemoration of Rumi with respect and affection, noting:
"I would like to honour the memory of the intellectuals, scholars, and spiritual guides who, over centuries, intricately interwove the fabric of Anatolian lands with their knowledge, wisdom, and insight. May Allah bless them. I would like to take this opportunity to remember with compassion the sainted martyrs who sacrificed their lives protecting our adhan, our homeland, our flag, our independence, and our future and offer my gratitude to our valiant veterans on behalf of my country and my nation."
President Erdoğan emphasised how Rumi's works and counsel continue to enlighten the path even centuries after his ultimate reunion and that his compassion, good morals, advice, instilling righteousness and patience, and vast tolerance enchanted all of humanity.
President Erdoğan stated in his message that the nation, which is endeavouring to become "insan-ı kamil" (perfect human) by following the path of guiding figures such as Rumi, Yunus Emre, Hacı Bayram Veli, and Aziz Mahmud Hudayi, aspires to be like a river in generosity, like the sun in compassion and grace, like the night when concealing others' faults, like the earth in modesty, and like a sea in tolerance, adding:
"The nation has always opened its house and heart to people knocking on its door, exactly as Rumi remarked, 'Come, ours is not a caravan of despair.' Not apathetic to the fires raging, the families being destroyed, and the lives lost all around us, our country is working tirelessly to replace wars with peace, hostility with friendship, and despair with prosperity and tranquillity. We are mobilising all of our resources to put an end to the bloodshed in our region, particularly among our neighbours, and safeguard the rule of law for the oppressed.
Following in the footsteps of Rumi, we keep one foot firmly planted in our country, like a compass, as the other foot roams across the world, doing our best to bring about peace, tranquillity, and prosperity to humanity." From Karabakh to Palestine, Ukraine to Syria, and the Balkans to Africa, the entire world is watching our struggle with admiration. We believe that every effort taken for the good of humanity—the building of justice, peace, and friendship—will be successful with the support of Allah."