Turkey to honor Persian poet Mowlavi

Turkey is planning to hold a ceremony in commemoration of the world-renowned Persian poet Mowlavi in his eternal resting place in Konya.

The 10-day event will include mystic musical performances and various symposiums about the Sufi poet.

Visitors will also have the chance to watch Whirling Dervishes dancing the Sama, the traditional trancelike meditation of Sufism.

The Mowlavi symposium will host prominent Mowlavi experts from around the world including Dr. Mohammad-Ali Movahhedi from Iran.

Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Balkhi known as Mowlavi was a 13th century Persian poet, mystic and theologian, better-known for his six-volume poem Masnavi considered to be one of the greatest works of both Islamic mysticism and Persian literature.

UNESCO named the year 2007 as the year of Mowlavi in honor of the Persian poet's outstanding achievements.