Whirling Dervishes Celebrate Rumi Anniversary

Whirling Dervishes Celebrate Rumi Anniversary

Whirling dervishes in Turkey performed an annual dance to mark the death of Muslim mystic and poet, Mevlana Jelaleddin Rumi. The beloved Sufi writer of devotional poetry died in 1273. His son founded the dervish order soon after.

"The light emerging from the work of Rumi is rising day by day," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the event. "Each day it enlightens our world more."

This year marked the 737th anniversary of Rumi's passing, which is known as Seb-i Arus, or Wedding Night, in Turkey.

Whirling dervishes perform their dizzying feat in recognition of the oneness of all creation and humanity's closeness to the divine.

WATCH the Reuters report:

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