Mevlevi is a term used to refer to followers of the Sufi order founded in Konya, Turkey by the poet and mystic Rumi. In English, the word Mevlevi is often translated as "whirling dervishes," a reference to the ecstatic whirling dance that is a central element of Mevlevi spirituality. Other synonyms for Mevlevi include "Mawlawi," "Mevleviye," and "Mevlevis." These terms all refer to the same Sufi order and its followers, and are used interchangeably in different contexts. Mevlevism is widely practiced throughout Turkey and has spread to other parts of the world as well.