Yusuf Aqchora (1876–1935) was one of the first Turkish intellectuals who believed in nationalism and presented it as a logical alternative to Islam. Nationalism affected the Ottoman Turks later than it did in other European countries. This was due to the political and governmental conditions of the Turks and their religious attitudes, which were incompatible with nationalist reflection. In the late 19th century, the works and poems of Turkish intellectuals ignited nationalist feelings among the people. Namık Kemal was a prominent intellectual in this movement, whose works had a profound impact on the enlightenment in the Ottoman Empire.
Other leaders of Pan-Turkism include Ismail Gaspirali and Ahmad Aqa-Oglu. Each of these individuals played a role in promoting and spreading the phenomenon of Pan-Turkism among the people in some way.
Nationalist Associations and Parties
Unity and Progress Association (Jamiyyah al-Ittihad wal-Tarrqi)
This association initially operated in secret and tried to promote the idea of nationalism. The association achieved many successes in spreading and expanding this idea and encouraging many people to embrace it.
In 1890, a group of students from military and medical schools established a secret association called “Unity and Progress.” The founder of this organization was Ibrahim Timo-Romani, who was inspired by Italian Masonic circles. However, the organization’s arrangements were discovered in 1897 by the intelligence services of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. Most of the members of the association were exiled, and some sought refuge in Europe, especially in Paris. In Europe, the members of the association published numerous newspapers against Sultan Abdul Hamid, the number of which exceeded forty and had different names. The association also established many branches in areas under the Ottoman Caliphate, such as Egypt, Sham, and even in Europe.
Researchers believe that this association, despite its name, pursued goals that were contrary to unity and progress. Some analysts have stated that most of the association’s members were non-Turks and non-Muslims, and that their financial support came from Western countries, Jews, and Christians.
National Movement Party
The National Movement Party was founded in 1969 under the leadership of Alp Arslan Türkish. In the 1970s, it was known as the largest rightist party in Turkey. Its supporters, known as the “Grey Wolves,” espoused extreme nationalist ideas.
Republican Party of People
The Republican Party of People (People’s Party) is the oldest party in Turkey, founded in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, at the same time as the founding of the Republic of Turkey.
Although the party was modeled after the West and emphasized republicanism, nationalism (Pan-Turkism), support for the people and the army, secularism, and reformism (Kemalism), it also exhibited socialist tendencies, especially in economic matters. These tendencies strengthened leftist positions within the party.
In addition, other nationalist associations and organizations have also been active in Turkey. For more information, you can refer to the book “The Conflict Between the Arab and Turkish Nations in the First Quarter of the Twentieth Century” by Dr. Saad Thamer Al-Hamidi.
The traces and remnants of nationalist parties can still be seen in Turkey. Several nationalist parties are still active in this country and consider nationality and ethnicity to be the basis and criteria for decision-making. These parties stand against Islamists on various occasions.
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