OTTOMAN ENGAGEMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

Asst. Prof. Selim ArgunIstanbul University

OTTOMAN EMPIRE

It was the last Muslim Empire that ruled over six centuries

It had a centralist political structure but decentralist system of ruling in social, religious and even economic affairs.

Therefore, managed to keep in tact more than 40 Million sqm of multi-ethnic, multi-religious diverse regions . Nomocracy, Tolerance and Peacefull Co-existence was some of its salient features. This was the secret behind its longevity. With the emergence of Nation State, ethnic conflicts prevailed.

For centuries OE was a counter-balance and deterring factor for European Colonial aspirations and with its collapse, a caotic political scene appeared especially in the Middle-East and Africa.

Abu Bakr Effendi

The Legacy of Abu Bakr EffendiThe greatest legacy of Effendi’

was, I believe, he gave hope to

the oppressed people of Africa.

By building the self-confidence

among the Muslim and African

inhabitants of the region,

He liberated the minds and

hearts of the people.

Effendi’s Legendary Book: ‘Bayanuddin’ in Ottoman Script but in Afrikaans Language

Strong ties with North and Central Africa

Governorships, Vassal States and Friendly Tribal States

Ottoman Africa

Ottoman Engagements in Southern Africa

• Military Cooperation with local Africans• Training the Zulu soldiers against the British• Sending troops to Mozambique against the

Portuguese and Spanish encroachments• Special military envoy to observe the BOER Wars• Participating into the Trade Fairs, i.e. Port

Elizabeth, Kimberley, Johannesburg etc.

‘The South African War’ by Mahmud Mukhtar Pasha circa 1890

Ottoman Engagements in Southern Africa

• Building mosques and sending humanitarian aid to several African countries.

• Issued passport for South African Muslims• Recieved voluntary regiments from South Africa

in the Balkan and Trablusgarb wars. Awarded special gold medals for South Africans.

The most important and oldest of these is the Hamidia Mosque at 2 Jennings Street, Newtown. This is where in 1908 Mahatma Gandhi addressed numerous meetings and on 10 January 1908 presided over a gathering at which passive resisters burnt their passes in protest against new discriminatory legislation. The Star reported: “The meeting was held in the Mosque grounds, Newtown, at 11 o’clock, and despite the short notice of the meeting there was a large gathering. For the purpose of such [a] meeting a platform had been erected I the grounds and seating accommodation was provided by means of the serviceable paraffin tins which were strewn about in thousands. On the platform were Essop Ismail Mia, Chairman of the British Indian Association, an Indian priest in artistic Oriental garb, and Mr Gandhi.” This meeting signaled the resumption of the passive resistance campaign. On 16 and 23 August 1908, at public ceremonies at the mosque, more passes were burnt.

Hamadia (Hamidia) Mosque New Town, Johannesburg 1906

New Turkey New Era with the Africa

Turkey’s African OpeningColour Blind people

Win-Win Economic RelationshipGrowing interest in NGOsActive Humanitarian Aid

Student and Staff Exchange ProgramsStratejic Partnerships and Bilateral Agreements