International
Mevlana
Foundation

There is a soul in your soul, seek that soul;
Seek the hidden gem in the mountain of your body;
O traveller who walks away, seek with all your heart;
Seek, whatever you are looking for, not outside, but within yourself!

The Foundation

We offer consulting services for Mevlana & Mevlevi gatherings, programs, books and artistic works to denote the thoughts & teachings of Hz. Mevlana.

International Mevlana Foundation was founded in Istanbul in 1996 with moral support of late Celâleddin Bâkır Çelebi. The purpose of the fund is to conduct researches about the great thinker, scholar and poet Mevlâna Celâleddin-i Rûmi, his works and thoughts and carry them over to the coming generations all around the world.

The president of the Foundation is Mr. Faruk Hemdem Çelebi. He is the 22nd grandson of Mevlana and the current Çelebi. The vice president of the Foundation is Mrs. Esin Çelebi Bayru who is the 22nd granddaughter of Mevlana. The Foundation was accredited by UNESCO in 2009.

The tomb of Mevlâna Celâleddin-i Rûmi in Konya

Sufi Studies Academy

UMV Sufi Studies Academy program continues with distance education. All our work is done through the Zoom program. After each semester, participants will be given a certificate of participation.

Please note that our programs are in Turkish.

For further information please e-mail the Foundation at akademi@mevlana.net

Mevlana

Hz. Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi, is known as Hz. Mevlana in the East and known as Rumi in the West. At birth, his family named him Muhammed, though he came to be nicknamed Celaleddin. As for “Mevlana”, it connotes to “our master”, while “Rumi” relates to “the land of Rum” or “Anatolia”, where he lived. In his lifetime, he was also referred to as “Hudavendigar,” meaning “distinguished leader,” whereas his present internationally renowned title “Mevlana” was very seldom used.

Mevlevi Order

The discipline of Mevlevi Order was established by Mevlevi’s son Sultan Veled, his disciple Chalabi Husameddin, and his grandson Ulu Arif Chalabi in order to pass on his teachings to future generations. Ever since the “order” has been presided over by a Makam Chalabi (Chief Master) elected from among Mevlana’s offspring.

The Mausoleum and the Mevlevihane are both regarded as “cult” by Mevlevi followers. This initial “House,” located around the Mausoleum, has been named Asitane-i Aliyye, where “Makam” Chalabis (chief masters) have dwelled.

Sema & Mevlevi Music

The International Mevlana Foundation aims to add to our national and spiritual values by creating projects featuring Mevlana and his teachings. The first project within this framework is a cooperation between the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tourism, and has been approved by UNESCO. This comprises the preservation of “Sema and Mevlevi Music,” an endeavour achieved by the efforts of esteemed masters and followers of Mevlana who are highly specialised in this field. As a result, the project was added to UNESCO’s list of “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” UNESCO acknowledged our work and in 2009 accredited our foundation.

The year of Mevlâna Celâleddin-i Rûmi

UNESCO declared the year 2007 as the year of Mevlâna Celâleddin-i Rûmi, owing to the 800th anniversary of Mevlana’s birth. This was celebrated with many events and activities throughout 2007, highlighting Mevlana and his teachings. Our foundations work had started to bear fruit.