Mevleviye (founded in Konya, 672/1273)
The second major tariqa (Sufi path/order) established in Anatolia is the Mevleviye, attributed to Mawlānā Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī. Like Hacı Bektaş, Rūmī was born in Central Asia, later came to Anatolia, and settled in Konya. Mawlānā, who owes his worldwide fame to his renowned work, the Masnavi, has for centuries addressed not only the Mevlevis but all tariqas, all Muslims, and ultimately all humanity. After his encounter with Shams-i Tabrīzī, the scholar Jalāl al-Dīn became a dervish who offered to humanity the wisdom and treasures emerging from the depths of the spiritual heart.
Sema (the whirling ceremony) gatherings have provided dervishes with the most fulfilling moments of religious life, and have also bestowed upon our world of poetry and music works that are "indispensable." Even people belonging to different religions have not been able to escape the influence of this atmosphere. Even today, if Konya is met with international enthusiasm every December, the reason is this world of feeling.
Mawlānā's son, Sultan Veled, played a primary role in the organization of the tariqa. Although the number of Mevlevihānes (Mevlevi lodges) is small compared to the number of tekkes (Sufi lodges) belonging to other tariqas, they differ from others due to their establishment over a wide area and their inclusion of many units.
Mawlānā's composition of his works in Persian contributed over time to the spread of this language in our society, and the Mevlevihānes virtually became centers for Persian education. These institutions are also closely connected with the development of our fine arts, especially poetry and music.
The central lodge of the tariqa is the lodge in Konya. After the closure of the tekkes in 1925, the reopening of this place as a museum led to the preservation of the center and many rare items found there.
The translation of the Masnavi into world languages has broadened the reach of Mevlevi culture.