Mevlana Exchange Programme
Mevlana Exchange Programme is a programme which aims the exchange of students and academic staff between the Turkish higher education institutions and higher education institutions of other countries. With the regulation, published in August 23, 2011 (num: 28034), students and academic staff exchange between Turkish higher education institutions and higher education institutions of other countries started.
The programme includes all higher education institutions throughout the world without discriminating among the geographical borders. The higher education institutions of EU countries benefiting from Erasmus + Programme will not be included in Mevlana Exchange Programme. Students may study abroad for one (minimum) or two (maximum) terms and academic staff may lecture
abroad from one week (minimum) to three months (maximum). Accordingly, students and academic staff from any country (except EU countries) may benefit from this programme being hosted by Turkish higher education institutions in order to study or lecture.
The original name of Mevlana, from whom the name of the programme is inspired, is Muhammed Cellaleddin. Mevlana was born in 1207 in Belh of Horasan distinct that is now in the border of Afghanistan.
The name “Mevlana” was used by Sultan Veled, §ems-i Tebrizi and his lovers, and virtually is a universal symbol which identifies with him. Also, he is known as Rumi by the western people.
Mevlana lived in the 13th century, but as a sufi who got beyond the ages with his works, did not make any discrimination between people as indicated in his verse: “Come, come whoever you are”. As well as his mercy, voluntary and unlimited humanity, he had endless tolerance and he impressed not only the
world of Islam but also the whole humanity. He is accepted worldwide as an intellectual with his point of view to the people and life. UNESCO, due to the 800th anniversary of Mevlana’s birth, declared the year 2007 as Mevlana and Tolerance year. Throughout his education, he visited the educational institutions of various cities in different countries not only as a student but also a scholar. Mevlana attributed great importance to “change” in his philosophy throughout his life-He is also the author of the important works like Mesnevi, Divan-i Kebir, Fihi Mafih, Mektubat and Mecalis-i Seba.
Who is Mevlana?
Mevlana Celaddiin-i Rumi is a 13th century Muslim saint and Anatolian mystic known throughout the world for his exquisite poems and words of wisdom, which have been translated into many languages. Rumi, as he is known in the west, is the best selling poet in many countries. The United Nations declared 2007 The Year of Rumi and celebrations were held world wide.
Mevlana was a Muslim, but not an orthodox type. His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. To him all religions were more or less truth. Mevlana looked with the same eye on Muslim, Jew and Christian alike. His peaceful and tolerant teachings have appealed to men of all sects and creeds. In 1958, Pope John XXIII wrote a special message saying: “In the name of the Catholic World, I bow with respect before the memory of Rumi.”
Mevlana died on 17 December 1273 and was laid to rest beside his father in Konya, in present day Turkey. A splendid shrine, the Mevlana Moseleum was erected over their remains, which is now a museum and place of pilgrimage. Every year on that day, at this magnificient 13th century mausoleum we celebrate Seb-i Arus, his ‘Wedding Day’,together with thousands of people from all around the world.
