The International Commemoration Ceremonies (Şeb-i Arus) held in Konya on the occasion of the 752nd Anniversary of the Union of Hazrat Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi were completed with sema performances, union night programs, and digital art-based events. We all realized the significance of witnessing Mevlana's call for unity, compassion, and inner peace that has been resonating with humanity for centuries in Konya.

The Şeb-i Arus programs held between December 7–17, 2025, were executed this year with the theme "Time of Peace." This theme carried the ancient call of our tradition of wisdom that reaches from heart to heart, starting with the individual's reconciliation with themselves through self-discipline and extending to social peace. Mevlana's thought, which emphasizes that a person must first build their inner world, brought together people from different cultures, beliefs, and geographies around a common understanding of conscience and peace.

We Followed the Şeb-i Arus Commemoration Programs in Konya

We followed the Şeb-i Arus commemoration programs in Konya under the leadership of our President Hatice Akıncı Yılmaz, together with our management team, our students staying in Konya dormitories, and Güzel İşler Fabrikası (GİF) students. This togetherness became a means for deepening the bond we established from heart to heart with our profound tradition of wisdom, filled with love, contemplation, and surrender.

The Spiritual World of Sema Accompanied by Digital Art

The special performance titled "Do You Know What Sema Is?" that we watched as part of the Şeb-i Arus programs offered us a deep contemplative atmosphere inviting us into the spiritual world of Sema. The artistic direction of the show, prepared by the Istanbul Meydan Meşkleri Community, was undertaken by Yüce Gümüş, and M. Fatih Çıtlak served as the postnişin. The visual and light arrangement accompanying the whirling dervishes directed our attention to the inner world of the dancers, reinforcing the feelings of tranquility and inner depth. For us, this encounter became a touching manifestation on stage of the meaningful connection that Sema establishes between a person, the universe, and the spiritual world.

Our Educational Journey Shaped by Mevlana's Wisdom

As our President Hatice Akıncı Yılmaz emphasized, the tradition of wisdom that sees Mevlana's peace as the foundation of social harmony guides us in our educational journey. We see the upbringing of our youth through a process of education nourished by knowledge and perfected by conscience and justice as the most authentic ground for a lasting climate of peace.

We believe that Mevlana's understanding of humanity as "the essence of the universe" nourishes a value-centered vision of civilization. Therefore, we view every investment made in youth as a responsibility that serves the continuity of social peace, based on the consciousness of human trust.

The 11-Day Program Concluded with the Union Night

The sema performances executed by the Turkish Sufi Music Community of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism brought together thousands of local and foreign visitors in the same spiritual atmosphere for 11 days in Konya. The programs accompanied by the Mevlevi ceremony of III. Selim, performed by the Konya Turkish Sufi Music Community, were enriched with Mesnevi conversations, concerts, and various cultural events, providing participants with a deep ground for contemplation.

This spiritual journey, which concluded with the union night, reminded us once again how alive and guiding Mevlana's call for unity, compassion, and peace is today. We see this legacy of wisdom rising from Konya as a valuable trust that needs to be passed on to future generations.