The Mevleviyeh in Gaziantep and Antep Mevlevîhânesi

In this thesis, the emergence period of Mevleviyeh, which dates back to the XVI. century in Antep, and its history, which has continued until today, are discussed in various aspects in the thought of Sûfîsm. Due to the fact that they were based on the teachings of Hz.Mevlana, the Mevlevis found the opportunity to reach large masses of people, and they were able to appeal to every level of the society thanks to their high literary and scholarly doctrines. Spreading all over Anatolia, the Mevlevis have also played important roles in terms of the history of the Southeast Anatolian Region and Antep. They have carried out activities that will affect the socio-cultural, political and economic areas of the region, especially the religion, and have made significant contributions to the region's inclusion in the Anatolian geography today. They hindered the Shiite expansionism with their religious views and understandings, and they were among the factors that hindered the Safavids' ambitions in the region, by taking on the role of a transitional point on the Silk Road, of which commercial importance has existed since the earliest periods of history. The fact that Mevleviyeh, which has been adopted by many states and cultures, maintains its existence especially in the regions dominated by the Ottoman State, reveals its harmony with the administration. For this reason, giving importance to the Mevleviyeh structures compatible with the Ottoman State in the Antep region, which was seen as an outpost by the Mamluks, was important for the political formation of the region, which was away from the Mamluk domination. In 1638, Antep Mevlevîhânesi, which was built by Mustafa Ağa b. Yusuf with the approval of the Sultan, was one of the Mevlevîhânes in the Southeast Turkey established for the reasons given above. It is one of the rare works that have survived to the present day, which impressed even the famous traveler Evliya Çelebi with its architectural structure. It is seen that the Mevlevi ceremony, which has also been registered in the charter since the first date, was applied with the assignment of duties.The dhikr and whirling meetings, Sahih-i Buhari and Mesnevi readings practiced daily and weekly in certain periods show the traces of an active religious life. With the incomes obtained from the foundations established in the name of the Mevlevîhâne, contribution to the commercial circulation of the city was made, and assistance and solidarity were established by supporting the needy through charity iii activities. Playing an active role during the National Struggle period, the Mevlevîhâne has been an important center of Antep and the region in every period of its history.