Novel solves the mystery of murder
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Aralık 19, 2008 00:00
ISTANBUL - Turkey’s renowned detective author Ahmet Ümit has revealed clues into the 700-year-old murder of Kalenderi Dervişi Şems-i Tebriz, who had great influence on the life of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, the great Anatolian philosopher
Some clues into the 700-year-old unsolved murder of Kalenderi Dervish Şems-i Tebriz and his close relationship with famous Turkish philosopher Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi, have been revealed in Ahmet Ümit’s latest book.
Turkey’s well-known detective author Ahmet Ümit, whose books have been translated into more than 10 languages, studied various resources in detail and has outlined the relationship between Rumi and Şems-i Tebriz in his recent novel, "Bab-ı Esrar" (The Secret Door).
Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Ümit said the core of Rumi’s philosophy had not been truly explained by some circles and this had been intentional, "because the truth in Rumi’s philosophy is the very truth that will bring reform to the Islamic religion."
Given the history and the current relationship between the state and religion, Ümit said, "Conservatism starts where state and religion come together. The effects of this situation can be seen all over the world, throughout history. We should not forget that the prophet Mohammed’s most-loved granddaughter, prophet Hüseyin, was killed for the sake of Islam."
"Rumi was an ecclesiastic before he met Şems-i Tebriz. After they met, they isolated themselves in a room for 180 days. After this isolation, Rumi was no longer an ecclesiastic and moved to ’Global Love,’ which means Sufism," Ümit said.
He gathered information about Rumi and Şems-i Tebriz while researching his book. "The leading viziers of the Seljuk invited Rumi to dinner. He went to dinner with Şems-i Tebriz and a discussion started as to who would sit where. Stating that the place of a lover was next to their loved one, Rumi took a seat next to Şems-i Tebriz."
Ümit said rumors started after that night and Şems-i Tebriz quietly left Konya and went to Damascus. "Rumi expressed his longing for Şems-i Tebriz by writing his best poems," he said.
The deep state killed Şems-i Tebriz
Ümit said Şems-i Tebriz returned to Konya after a while. "He could not escape from his inevitable end and was killed. It was the ’deep state’ (illegal organization linked to the state) of Seljuk that killed him. After this murder, Ottomans recognized the caliphate and Islam began to be influenced by the Arabs in Anatolia."
Ümit said the perception of Islam was not based on fear but on love, until the recognition of caliphate. "The Koran was being interpreted. Women were freer and tolerance was dominant in religion," he said.
Turkey has a good tool for detective novels
Ümit said to write his novel he had spent two years in Konya where Rumi and Şems-i Tebriz had lived. "I dreamed about 700 years ago in Konya, where they spent their life," he said.
As a detective writer, Ümit said he was very lucky to live in Turkey. "If you read the third page of the newspaper everyday, you can write perfect detective novels. Now I am interested in the Ergenekon case the most. As a detective writer, I investigate events and their results. The curtain of secrecy can almost be opened if you find the people who take advantage of the results."
As with his other novels, Ümit’s new novel "Bab-ı Esrar" will be translated into English, French and Greek next year.
Turkey’s well-known detective author Ahmet Ümit, whose books have been translated into more than 10 languages, studied various resources in detail and has outlined the relationship between Rumi and Şems-i Tebriz in his recent novel, "Bab-ı Esrar" (The Secret Door).
Speaking to the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review, Ümit said the core of Rumi’s philosophy had not been truly explained by some circles and this had been intentional, "because the truth in Rumi’s philosophy is the very truth that will bring reform to the Islamic religion."
Given the history and the current relationship between the state and religion, Ümit said, "Conservatism starts where state and religion come together. The effects of this situation can be seen all over the world, throughout history. We should not forget that the prophet Mohammed’s most-loved granddaughter, prophet Hüseyin, was killed for the sake of Islam."
"Rumi was an ecclesiastic before he met Şems-i Tebriz. After they met, they isolated themselves in a room for 180 days. After this isolation, Rumi was no longer an ecclesiastic and moved to ’Global Love,’ which means Sufism," Ümit said.
He gathered information about Rumi and Şems-i Tebriz while researching his book. "The leading viziers of the Seljuk invited Rumi to dinner. He went to dinner with Şems-i Tebriz and a discussion started as to who would sit where. Stating that the place of a lover was next to their loved one, Rumi took a seat next to Şems-i Tebriz."
Ümit said rumors started after that night and Şems-i Tebriz quietly left Konya and went to Damascus. "Rumi expressed his longing for Şems-i Tebriz by writing his best poems," he said.
The deep state killed Şems-i Tebriz
Ümit said Şems-i Tebriz returned to Konya after a while. "He could not escape from his inevitable end and was killed. It was the ’deep state’ (illegal organization linked to the state) of Seljuk that killed him. After this murder, Ottomans recognized the caliphate and Islam began to be influenced by the Arabs in Anatolia."
Ümit said the perception of Islam was not based on fear but on love, until the recognition of caliphate. "The Koran was being interpreted. Women were freer and tolerance was dominant in religion," he said.
Turkey has a good tool for detective novels
Ümit said to write his novel he had spent two years in Konya where Rumi and Şems-i Tebriz had lived. "I dreamed about 700 years ago in Konya, where they spent their life," he said.
As a detective writer, Ümit said he was very lucky to live in Turkey. "If you read the third page of the newspaper everyday, you can write perfect detective novels. Now I am interested in the Ergenekon case the most. As a detective writer, I investigate events and their results. The curtain of secrecy can almost be opened if you find the people who take advantage of the results."
As with his other novels, Ümit’s new novel "Bab-ı Esrar" will be translated into English, French and Greek next year.