To celebrate 2007 as the International Year of Rumi, SEF proudly hosted Kabir Helminski, a prominent Sufi in the Mevlevi order.  Kabir Helminski and his wife, Camille Helminski, joined us for an evening of insight and inspiration on February 12th at the Ohio State University.  Mr. Helminski's lecture, entitled "Rumi: the Metaphysics of Love", explored the idea of love according to Rumi and his poetry.  The speakers discussed Rumi's conception of human development and the nature of love, as well as considering Rumi's place in Islam.  The audience enjoyed poetry readings from Rumi's collection by both Kabir and Camille Helminski.  The evening also featured a reed-flute performance by Ufuk Ulutas at the beginning and a saz and drum performance by the Helminskis at the end. The event was co-sponsored by Students for Dialogue and the Middle East Studies Center at OSU.