AMSTERDAM - A multitude of activities will be held in the Netherlands to mark the "Mevlana Year" till 2010.
2007, was declared by UNESCO "Year of Mevlana and Tolerance".
Events regarding "Mevlana Year" held by 17 culture & art organizations attracted attention of 5 million people in the Netherlands last year.
A statement released by these organizations said they would keep promoting Mevlana, Konya, Turkey and Turkish culture for another two years. Seminars will be organized in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and the Hague this year.
Mevlana was born on September 30th, 1207 in Balkh in present day Afghanistan. He died in Konya on December 17th, 1273. He was laid to eternal rest beside his father and over his remains in a splendid shrine that was erected in Konya.
Mevlana devoted himself to the pursuit of Sufi mysticism, in which he was justly regarded as the supreme master. He was the spiritual founder of the Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes.
"Come, come again, whoever you are, come! Heathen, fire worshipper or idolatrous, come! Come even if you broke your penitence a hundred times. Ours is the portal of hope, come as you are," is his famous motto that has been seen as a symbol of tolerance and love for centuries.
(EÖ-ULG)