Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi (1207-1273)

The Turkish mystic created the brotherhood of the whirling dervishes. Through their dances they attempt to become one with the divine. Whilst dancing the dervishes wear white robes symbolizing cleanliness and they spin around with one hand pointed towards the sky and the other towards the ground. In that way the dervishes are acting as a conduit from the Divine to earth.
Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi was born in present-day Afghanistan but his family had to flee to Konya in Turkey because of the Mongolians. His father was a recognized preacher and was employed at the Seljuk Court. Mevlana took over this position after his father’s death.
Later Mevlana met a poet named Semseddin and they became close friends. Inspired by Semseddin, Mevlana started to write poetry about divine love. As a poet, philosopher, mystic and founder of the Dervish brotherhood Mevlana earned great influence.
Mevlana preached freedom to express yourself regardless of sex, race, age or religion and his followers gave him the named Mevlana which means Grand Master.
Every year on 17 December, the anniversary of Mevlana’s death, pilgrims from all over the world flock to Konya to celebrate the Master.