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Turkey's whirling dervishes honor Sufi poet

SUMMARY

Every December, thousands of people make a pilgrimage to the central Turkish city of Konya for 10 days of ceremonies and events commemorating the death of the 13th-century Islamic scholar, poet and Sufi mystic Jalaladdin Rumi. Among the most visually stunning tributes is a mesmerizing ceremony by the whirling dervishes. The dervishes, who are followers of Rumi, mark the anniversary of his passing — known as "Sheb-i Arus" or night of the union — as a celebration of his reunion with the Divine. Rumi himself believed death was a moment for rejoicing in the union with God.

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By AP December 20, 2018, 3:18:12 PM IST (Published)

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Whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order wait to perform at a Sheb-i Arus ceremony.(AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order prepare for the Sheb-i Arus ceremony. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order bow at the start of a Sheb-i Arus ceremony. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order perform during a Sheb-i Arus ceremony. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order perform at the start of a Sheb-i Arus ceremony. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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Whirling dervishes of the Mevlevi order perform during a Sheb-i Arus ceremony. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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A sheikh of the Mevlevi order of whirling dervishes offers his prayers during a Sheb-i Arus ceremony. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

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