Stock Photo - Group of Dervishes, including musicians playing zither and ney. The Mevlevi Whirling Dervishes of Konya (Konia). This Dervish order was founded in memory of Jelaluddin Rumi (1207 - 1273) û mystic and poet. When the great Andalusian mystic Muhyiddin Ibn æArabi met Rumi (as a boy) with his Father in Baghdad û he commented when he saw him walking away behind his Father ôHow strange, there goes a Sea followed by an Oceanö. The advancing Mongol hordes forced RumiÆs Family to leave Balkh û arriving finally in Konya (Turkey). In Konya in 1244, a wandering Dervish met Rumi (Shamsuddin of Tabriz). After three years of friendship, Shamsuddin vanished mysteriously û some think he was murdered by RumiÆs followers out of jealousy. Rumi wrote the Mathnawi û his most important work û called by some the æPersian KoranÆ. RumiÆs primary concern was not to found a Dervish order û it was his son, who after his FatherÆs death instituted the formality of a Tariqah in his memory, hence the Mevlevi Dervishes today. The actual act of æwhirlingÆ is known as the Sema (æThe HearingÆ). The Sema is formed of various cycles. The æspiritual seekerÆ (Salik) must have personal freedom, in all aspects of life. The SalikÆs development is totally borne out of the culture of the place (personal development through trade apprenticeships etc.), moulding the individual in physical and spiritual knowledge.