A message of remembrance of Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-î Rûmî.
December 17 is the 744th anniversary of the death of the Sufi poet Rumi, whose Persian writings are considered to be a pinnacle of mystical art that transcends religious, cultural and ethnic boundaries with a philosophy of divine love that has inspired countless artists, musicians, and writers. He is the most-read poet in the United States and possibly the best-known Islamic figure after Muhammad. Rumi, whose full name was Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-î Rûmî died on December 17, 1273, in Konya, Turkey, where he is entombed below the Mevlana Museum.
Am I a thief?
Have I stolen someone’s goods?
Is this why you would confine me here and keep me from being rejoined with my Love?
Rumi’s death anniversary is known in Turkey as Wedding Night, or Seb-i Arus in Turkish, which references the idea that when a Sufi saint dies, he or she is believed to have attained union with beloved God. When people lose their physical body, they can reunite with the divine spirit of the universe – which is why Rumi believed this was his wedding night. Therefore, it is an occasion of celebration rather than mourning and Sufis gather together to recite poetry and prayers with a presentation of the Whirling Dervishes in tribute.
Sourced from:
http://www.theguideistanbul.com/article/remembrance-rumi-%C5%9Feb-i-arus, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/17/rumi-death-anniversary_n_4459603.html