Sarcofagi at the Uftade Tomb
Uftade is a revered Islamic scholar who lived in Bursa. Officially, his name is Mehmet Efendi. The name Uftade is a pen name he would use when writing poems. Back then, the Grand Mosque of Bursa was very important in the Muslim world and Uftade happens to live near it. He became so well known that he was even offered land to rule but he turned it down. It is said that other people accumulate material possessions while Uftade would leave them. It is because of this humility and simplicity that ironically attracted people to him.
Inside the Uftade Tomb in Bursa
Like most people who are like that, Uftade ended up getting disciples. Some of the disciples became well known in their own right. In fact, some of them are buried here. Up by a cliff overlooking the city of Bursa is a burial ground of several of Uftade’s disciples. I wasn’t sure what I would be expecting to see when I got here. Inside the building there several sarcofagi which I assume hold the remains of these disciples. At the time of my visit, there seemed to be some sort of service being performed there. I thought to be a little less touristy here but I still saw some people taking photos so I just took a few and quickly left.
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