Turkish Consulate Honors Legacy of Hassan Ali Effendi at Special Event

The Turkish Consulate General in Karachi, in partnership with the Yunus Emre Institute, organized a special event titled “Love for Turkiye in Pakistan in the context of Hassan Ali Effendi.” The event paid tribute to Hassan Ali Effendi, the first Consul General of the Ottoman Empire in Sindh and founder of Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), celebrating his contributions to education in Sindh and the enduring cultural ties between Turkiye and Pakistan.

The ceremony began with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech from the Turkish Consul General, Cemal Sangu. He emphasized the significant role Hassan Ali Effendi played in fostering educational and cultural links between the two nations. Sangu highlighted Effendi’s efforts to strengthen the bond between Turkiye and Pakistan, particularly in education and cultural exchange.

The event featured insightful speeches from scholars and intellectuals. Prof. Dr. Halil Toker from Istanbul University delivered a talk in Urdu, tracing the historical ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, and presented a pictorial account from his book *Journey of Friendship and Brotherhood*. He also explored the deep-rooted Turkish presence in the subcontinent, even before the Mughal Empire.

Dr. Fatima Hassan, a lecturer at Karachi University, poet, and author, reflected on the literary and cultural connections between Pakistan and Turkiye through her original Urdu poetry. She beautifully articulated the shared heritage of the two nations.

Prof. Dr. Uzma Farman, Head of the Urdu Department at Karachi University, delved into the profound cultural influences of figures like Hassan Ali Effendi. She highlighted the role of the Urdu language in the formation of Pakistan and its historical ties with the Turkish nation.

Prof. Dr. Nigar Sajjad explored the shared religious and historical connections between Pakistan and Turkiye, particularly focusing on the Ghaznavids, Ghurids, and Mughals of Turkish descent. She also highlighted the Ottoman Empire’s diplomatic efforts to promote Pan-Islamism and the role of Indian Muslims in the Khilafat Movement.

The event’s keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh, former Vice Chancellor of SMIU, who authored a biography of Hassan Ali Effendi. He recounted Effendi’s pivotal role in fostering relations between Sindh and the Ottoman Empire, including his close connection with Sultan Abdulhamid II, who honored him with prestigious Turkish titles.

The event concluded with a heartfelt speech by Prof. Dr. Shaista Effendi, a grandchild of Hassan Ali Effendi, who expressed her gratitude to the Turkish Consulate for honoring her grandfather’s legacy.