TEHRAN (Honaronline) –
Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili made the statement in his message on congratulating Rumi Day.
Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili said the commemoration of the Persian poet Rumi is not paying tribute to one person; rather, it is to honor love and religion.
He made the statement in a message sent for congratulating Rumi Day (September 30), adding that this day is another opportunity to think over Rumi’s works.
Mystic poetry began with Sanei, continued with Attar, and completed by Rumi, the minister noted.
During the days of apparent domination of arrogant powers in the world, the importance of poets like Rumi, whose lesson is peace, will be more distinct, Esmaeili noted.
Persian poet, jurist, theologian and Sufi mystic, Jalaleddin Mohammad Balkhi, better known as Maulavi, Maulana, or Rumi is one of the most famous Iranian poets.
Rumi was born to native Persian-speaking parents on the shores of the then Persian Empire on September 30, 1207 CE, in the city of Balkh, which is now part of Afghanistan and finally settled in the town of Konya, in what is now Turkey.
Rumi’s influence extends beyond national borders and ethnic divisions. Iranians, Tajiks, Turks, Greeks, Pashtuns, other Central Asian and Southeast Asian Muslims have been heavily influenced by the Persian poet’s spiritual heritage over the past centuries.
Rumi made one or two journeys to Syria, during one of which he met his mentor Shams.
However, he was more deeply influenced by Shams during their second visit in Konya, Turkey, in 1244 CE.
One night in 1247 CE, Shams disappeared forever. This experience turned Rumi into a poet.