On December 3-5, the 10th International Rumi Conference was held in Nicosia with joint organization of the Rumi Research Center at Near East University and the Mevlana Literary-Philosophical Research Institute (MLFRI) operating under Khazar. The previous gathering of traditional conference was held in Baku in 2024, hosted by Khazar. Based on the memorandum signed between the two universities in 2023, Near East University hosted this year's conference.

Scholars and researchers from 12 countries participated in the international scientific meeting dedicated to the theme "Peace and reconciliation from Mevlana's perspective." At the opening ceremony, Prof. Ghadir Golkarian, Director of the Rumi Research Center at Near East University, spoke, emphasizing that the conference has now become a continuously sustained scientific and spiritual tradition, and that Mevlana's heritage holds special significance for dialogue, understanding, and spiritual revival in the contemporary world.

The message sent to the conference by Prof. Acad. Hamlet Isakhanli, Founder of Khazar University and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Trustees, was presented by Dr. Farida Seyidova, coordinator of MLFRI. In his message, Isakhanli stated that Rumi conferences create not only scientific discourse but also a spiritual platform, and that the signed memorandum laid the foundation for solid scientific-cultural partnership between the parties. He also specifically noted the role of the late orientalist Nazakat Mammadli in the formation of this cooperation and highlighted the relevance of Mevlana's teachings (ideas of love, compassion, and spiritual perfection) in the context of the modern world's instability.

Prof. Mustafa Kurt, Vice Rector of Near East University, emphasized in his speech the university's support for Sufism research and noted that the event brought together scholars from various countries on a common scientific and spiritual platform.

Mehmet Harmancı, Mayor of Nicosia, spoke about the contributions that hosting such an international event makes to the city's cultural life.

At the opening, Prof. Adnan Karaismailoğlu, Prof. Nuri Şimşekler, Prof. Nimet Yıldırım, and Dr. Esin Çelebi, a 22nd-generation descendant of Mevlana, delivered presentations on the historical development of Mevlana's heritage, his poetic system, spiritual psychology, and his influence on global Sufi traditions. Subsequently, during the "Irfani and Sufi Music" program, Iranian musicians (Hamid Khazai, Emran Foruzesh, Saeid Mirzahosseini, and Milad Bayat) performed classical irfani melodies inspired by Mevlana's work under the direction of Aresh Ghasemi.

The first day of the conference continued with two sessions. In the first session chaired by Prof. Nuri Şimşekler, Prof. Esra Karabacak analyzed the concept of peace in Rumi's metaphors, Prof. Khuraman Hummatova examined Mevlana's influence in Sheikh Galib's divan, Dr. Muharrem Saygın discussed use of religious metaphors in "Masnavi" and Alisher Navoi's divans, Dr. Shahana Shahbazova explored the thematic and structural features of Mevlana's Arabic poems, and Prof. Asmatkhanum Mammadova analyzed the poetic-phonetic nuances of the elision phenomenon.

In the second session chaired by Prof. Adnan Karaismailoğlu, Assoc. Prof. Shabnam Golkarian discussed the reflection of Mevlana's work in architecture, Assoc. Prof. Khatira Yusifova presented a model of transition from inner peace to social reconciliation, Dr. Rashad Hasanov explored the poetic essence of the concept of "intoxication" in Mevlana and Nasimi, Prof. Lutfiyya Asgarzade discussed Rumi's influence on Azerbaijani poetry, Fidan Nasirova examined the idea of spiritual victory in the struggle with the ego, and Dr. Farida Seyidova spoke about the structure and poetics of Gulshani's Persian divan dedicated to Mevlana.

At the end of the day, an official reception organized by Nicosia Municipality and a concert by Iran's "Faravaz" irfani music group at the Atatürk Cultural Center were held. The group's performance was received with great interest as an example of presenting Mevlana's musical heritage in a contemporary style.

The second day of the conference began with the third session chaired by Prof. Slobodan Ilić. In the session, Dr. Neil Watson discussed mystical parallels in the teachings of Mevlana and Prophet Jesus. Writer Bahman Shokouhi delivered a presentation on the theme of internal dialogue based on Sufi thought. Assoc. Prof. Nargiza Shoaliyeva examined Rumi's influence on Uzbek literature, and Egyptian scholar Ahmed Sami Elyadi, a Khazar University staff member, investigated Mevlana's influence on Arab cultural environment. Subsequently, in the fourth session chaired by Prof. Esra Karabacak, Assoc. Prof. Zohra Aliyeva discussed Mevlana and Jung's archetypes, Maryam Karaaziz and Emel Sunar presented approaches related to resolving psychological crises in Rumi, and Maryam Karaaziz and Sumeyra Yakar interpreted the path of self-development in Jung and Mevlana parallels. Assoc. Prof. Aytac Zeynalova presented the spiritual-geographical character of Mevlana's ideas from the perspective of the philosophy of love and unity.

The second day of the conference continued with the final discussion and closing session. Under the moderation of Prof. Ghadir Golkarian, Prof. Nimet Yıldırım and Prof. Asmatkhanum Mammadova summarized the scientific discussions held within the framework of the conference and voiced their suggestions about future directions of Rumi research. In the evening, an official reception organized by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce took place. The event concluded with a cultural excursion organized to the city of Kyrenia.

The 10th International Rumi Conference will be remembered as an influential international platform that made significant contributions to the re-evaluation of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi's heritage in contemporary scientific contexts, to deepening connections between the fields of Sufism, literature and philosophy, as well as to building spiritual-intellectual bridges between scholars from different countries.