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Archive for September, 2011
The Whirling Dervish
In the Whirling Dervish dance, dancers spinning incessantly, is done in devotion to Allah and the organic powers of the universe. The leader stands in the middle, representing the sun, while other members dance around him in imitation of the cycles of the planets.Their conical hat symbolizes the need to seal off one’s ego to connect to God and the universe, while the bellowing skirt represents a shroud and sky.
Reconstructing Hagia Sophia
A former Orthodox Patriarchal basilica between 360 to 1453, and later a mosque from 1453 to 1931, the Hagia Sophia has been transformed to a museum since 1935. Undergoing various stages of reconstruction, improvements, and more recently conservation, the Hagia Sophia is far from save due to its deteriorating structure and increasing humidity from rising ground water that weakens the stone work and paint. More funds and work is needed with the last taking place on 2006.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony
The Mevlewi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a “dance” and musical ceremony known as the Sema, which involves whirling, from which the order acquired its nickname the Whirling Dervishes. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man’s spiritual ascent through mind and love towards “Perfection”. The Sema is credited to the Mevlewi founder, Rumi, who heard the dhikr “la elaha ella’llah” which filled him with happiness that he stretched out both arms and spun in a circle.