Zaman
November 30

Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has postponed his Uzbekistan trip for two days to be able to attend Seb-i Arus ceremonies in Konya on December 17th for the 730th anniversary of the Mevlana's death.

Erdogan will go to Taskent on December 18th instead of December 16th. President Ahmet Necdet Sezer's program has not yet been finalised.

The Ministry of Arts and Culture has sent an invitation to the Cankaya presidential residence for Seb-i Arus but Sezer has not announced his definite decision yet.

Sezer attended the Haci Bektasi celebrations in August but has not attended any of the Seb-i Arus ceremonies since 2000 when he was appointed president.

Sezer's failure to attend the commemoration ceremonies in Konya has caused different reactions in the public's opinion.

Erdogan wanted to attend the Seb-i Arus ceremonies for the first time as Prime Minister so he ordered that his trip to Uzbekistan be postponed.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorities have obtained the approval of Uzbekistan for the change in schedule.

Since Erdogan is now able to attend, the focus is on President Sezer.

Civil society organizations in Konya made the summons, "We expect you at Seb-i Arus so the atmosphere of social tolerance is maintained".

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