Sultanahmet demonstrations

Demonstration on May 23

The Sultanahmet Demonstrations (Turkish: Sultanahmet Mitingleri) was a series of rallies in 1919 at Sultanahmet Istanbul to protest the occupation of Izmir by Greek forces after the First World War.

The demonstrations were organized by Türk Ocağı and Karakol society. Many important figures of the Ottoman Empire participated, such as Mehmet Emin Yurdakul, Halide Edip Adıvar, Hamdullah Suphi Tanrıöver, Rıza Nur, Selim Sırrı Tarcan, İsmayıl Hakkı Baltacıoğlu, Fahreddin Hayri Bey, Kemal Mithad, Şükûfe Nihal Başar, and Madam Jeannine (a French Lady), who all called resistance against the foreign invasion.

Halide Edip was a major speaker during the demonstrations, stating the following:

Muslims! Turks! The Turk and the Muslims are now experiencing their darkest day.

Night, a dark night. But there is no night without morning in life. Tomorrow we will create a glittering morning, tearing this terrible night. Women! We have now no tools such as cannons, guns; but a greater and a stronger weapon, we have; Hak and Allah. Guns and cannons may be lost, but Hak and Allah are everlasting. We, with our men, ask for the strongest, most intelligent, most courageous cabinet from our own

heart that will represent us the best.

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The demonstrations were symbolic for the national awakening for Turks to carry out the Turkish Independence War.

See also

• Turkish War of Independence
• Occupation of Smyrna

References