The Mevlevi House in North Cyprus

Ottoman House Cyprus

After the Turkish conquest of Cyprus in 1571, The Ottoman culture began to establish itself and continued to live for more than three centuries. Many medreses, buildings and sarays were erected which are still standing as a reminder of the glorious past. One such monument is the Mevlevi Khana (Mevlevi House) situated near the Kyrenia North Cyprus gate.

Once it was the house of whirling dervishes and the followers of Muhammad Jelal al- Did Rumi (1207-1273), who gave the message of universal love, brotherhood and human unity without discrimination. The Mevlevi Khana was built in 1593 by Ahmad Pasha. There the transcendental dance (Sema) was performed in the company of musicians (heyet-i mutriban) after the ritual prayers and recitation of the Koran. As was said by Shams-i Tabrezi, the beloved master of Rumi, the Sema should be performed only for love of God, and not for any show.

The Mevlevi Khana formed a triangular spiritual tie between Aleppo, Cyprus and Turkey (Konya). It is also interesting to add that the conqueror of Nicosia North Cyprus, Lala Mustafa Pasha, was an obedient follower of Rumi . After several changes and restorations, the Mevlevi Khana complex now has six domes that cover sixteen resting places of Sheikhs and Mevlevi dervishes. On the main portal " Ya hazret-i Mevlana" ( O, our great master) is written. The main building is composed of the 'Sema Khana'(dancing hall), dervish cells, kitchen, and a wooden balcony for the musicians. Thus the complex was used for three main purposes: for transcendental dance, for ritual prayers and for recitation of Rumi's Masnevi. His Masnevi, which is in Persian and in six volumes, brings all the mystic teachings of religions to the reality of the Koran. The Masnevi went to India while he was still alive. Later it spread all over the Islamic world. In Turkey, there are at least three hundred poets and thinkers that follow in Rumi's steps and are called Mevlevi poets. In India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran there are countless poets who are under his influence. Lately, many .poets in England and the U.S.A have become his followers. Rumi was born at Balkh (in Afghanistan) in 1 207. His first teacher was his father Baha al-Din Veled who migrated from Balkh to Turkey. Young Rumi received his early education on the way. After his arrival in Karaman and Kenya, he went to Aleppo and Damascus to carry on his further education. When he met with his spiritual master Shams (the Sun) in 1244, his whole life changed. Shams led Rumi from the stage of a lover of God to the stage of beloved of God. However, the contact did not last long, and when Shams abandoned him, Rumi began to write his beautiful poems. The collection of the poems is named "Divan-i Shams". Nevertheless, it was the Masnevi, a collection of anecdotes and moral teachings, that brought him eternal fame. His Masnevi teaches that love of God is the main target and religions are only ways to Him. As he says: "The nation of love is different from all other nations, For them nationality and religion is only God Himself".

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