In the premises of the Scientific Research Institute „Ibn Sina“ in Sarajevo, in collaboration with the Institute and the „Meyli“ Foundation, a round table titled „The Tradition of Interpreting the Mesnavi and Commemorating the Şebi Arus in Bosnia and Herzegovina“ was held on the evening of December 23, 2024.
The participants were prof. Ph.D. Ćazim Hadžimejlić, M.Sc. Sead Halilagić, prof. Ph.D. Munir Drkić and dr. Mubina Moker.
Sead Halilagić, Sheikh of Hadži Sinan’s Tekke in Sarajevo, spoke on the topic „Commemorating Shab-i Arus in Sarajevo“. Among other things, he talked about the continuation of the Mesnavi lessons during the communist era, emphasizing that Hadži Mujaga Merhemić never stopped holding the lessons of the Mesnavi even at that time.
„The Sarajevo Shab-i Arus Academy was the reason why, through Sheikh Ahmed-ef. Mešić, the Shab-i Arus Academy was held in Tuzla“, he said, adding that the tariqa is connected to the Shari’a and cannot exist without it, and as such, it belongs to Islam.
Prof. Dr. Ćazim Hadžimejlić, Executive Director of the „Meyli“ Foundation, spoke on the topic „The Symbolism of Samaa and the Tradition of Samaa in Bosnia and Herzegovina“.
He first explained the Mevlevi attire, why it is used, its purpose, and symbolism, and then went on to describe the different types of Mevlevi hats.
“The Samaa movement is a symbol of the Earth’s rotation around its axis. In order for someone to come and pass through the educational system, they must go through 1001 days of service (hizmet). Samaa represents overcoming one’s ego, presenting oneself, and merging into the divine light, with every step taken while reciting the name of Allah, ‘Allah'”, emphasized Sheikh Hadžimejlić.
Prof. Dr. Munir Drkić, a professor at the Department of Persian Language and Literature in the Department of Oriental Philology at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, spoke on the topic „The Lectures on the Mesnavi in Mostar According to the Vakufnama of Derviš-paša Bajezidagić from 1602“.
He emphasized that the mentioned vakufnama established general conditions for the interpretation of the Mesnavi, such as the following: the salary of the mudarris (teacher) was 10 dirhems, aiming to institutionalize the lessons on the Mesnavi. The lectures were held four times a week in four mosques in Mostar, and the main goal was for the lectures on the Mesnavi to be conducted „for both the elite and the common people“.
The last presentation was given by Dr. Mubina Moker, an employee of the Scientific Research Institute „Ibn Sina“. Her topic was „The Mesnavi – A Spiritual Toponym of the Bosnian People“.
During her presentation, she emphasized the interpretation of the Mesnavi in Tuzla, which was first held at the Jalska Mosque, and later at the Šarena Mosque in Tuzla. After the Majdanska Tekke in Tuzla, the Mesnavi lessons were returned to the mosque, as this way more people could be introduced to the Mesnavi.
The Mesnavi department in Tuzla currently operates under the title „Sheikh Ahmed Nuruddin Mešić Tuzla“ at the Hadžijska Mosque. This department has preserved the continuity of Mesnevihanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The chair of the Mesnavi, established by Sheikh Ahmed-ef. Mešić, preserves his spiritual heritage. The Mesnevija is a work that is entirely based on the Qur’an and the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad – emphasized Dr. Moker.
In the cultural part of the program, poetry interpreter Mustafa Šehić participated, accompanied by Ekrem Kahriman.
The program was attended by the Travnik Mufti, Dr. Ahmed-ef. Adilović, as well as representatives of the media, cultural, and public life.
The gathering was moderated by Enisa Grabus.
