Speeches and Remarks

Welcome Remarks
by U.S. Consul General Michael S. Owen
Inauguration of Talk by Dr. Nevit Ergin
on “Rumi’s Work and its Contemporary Relevance"
October 24, 2007

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to an evening of commemorating Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi popularly known as “Rumi.”  This year being the 800^th birth anniversary of Rumi, UNESCO has dedicated it as the International Year of Rumi.  The United States Missions worldwide, especially the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, are proud to organize a variety of programs on Rumi in a number of places in India and elsewhere.  Our special guest speaker tonight is Dr. Nevit Ergin, who is an original translator of more than 44,000 verses of Rumi into English.  We have also among us Mr. Iqbal Hussain Khan Bandanawazi and his group from Hyderabad who will be presenting a qawwali performance after Dr. Ergin’s presentation.  On behalf of the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, I welcome Dr. Ergin, Mr. Khan and his group, and all of you, to this program.  I thank you all for being with us tonight and for your participation in this program. 

Rumi was not just a 13^th century mystic poet.  He is one of the greatest poets of all times.  His divine love, mystic passion and ecstatic illumination that were expressed through his mesmerizing words and elevating poetry, remain as fresh and relevant to our times as they were centuries ago.  In the U.S., Rumi is one of the most widely read poets, and is particularly popular among a large number of young people.  Rumi’s greatest strength perhaps lies in the fact that his work equally appeals to hearts and minds of littérateurs and laymen, elite and underprivileged, people of various faiths, religions, cultures and countries, and it captivates the attention of even those people who have no special interest in any poetry.  Translated into several languages, including French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu, and appearing in a number of artistic creations and formats, including readings,  writings, plays, musical concerts, dance performances, and workshops, Rumis work is also perhaps the most celebrated work of all times! 

Here, I would like to quote Shahram Shiva, an American scholar on Rumi.  Explaining the reason for Rumi’s popularity, Shahram Shiva says:  "Rumi is able to verbalize the highly personal and often confusing world of personal/spiritual growth and mysticism in a very forward and direct fashion.  He does not offend anyone, and he includes everyone. The world of Rumi is neither exclusively the world of a Sufi, nor the world of a Hindu, nor a Jew, nor a Christian; it is the highest state of a human being – a fully evolved human.  A complete human is not bound by cultural limitations; he touches every one of us.  Today Rumi's poems can be heard in churches, synagogues, Zen monasteries, as well as in the downtown New York art/performance/music scene." 

It is this binding and unifying quality of Rumi’s work that intrigues and inspires us.  Today’s program is in continuation of our effort to promote mutual understanding and respect for world’s diverse people, societies, cultures, values, faiths and religions.  Through Rumi’s poetry, we endeavor to highlight the need for global inclusiveness, brotherhood, peace and harmony. 

My special thanks to All India Association of Industries, World Trade Center, Banyan Tree and PEN All-India Center, for supporting this program.  Thank you all once again and have a great evening!