“When we are dead, seek not our tomb in the earth, but find it in the hearts of men.”

This is the epitaph at the tomb of Jalal-ud-Din Rumi (1207-1273); a prophecy that has withstood the test of time.

Rumi’s poetry continues to touch hearts across countries and cultures more than seven centuries after his death. A Muslim theologian who turned to mysticism, he is regarded as the finest Persian poet of all time and among the greatest in the sufi tradition.

Born in Balkh (Afghanistan), Rumi lived most of his life in Konya (Turkey), where he is buried. December 17, 2014 marked Rumi’s 741st death anniversary and thanks to two Turkish friends who organised the trip, I was able to visit Konya that day to remember Rumi.