Turkish Consulate General in Karachi, in collaboration with the YunusEmre Institute, held a special event titled “Love for Türkiye in Pakistan in the Context of Hassan Ali Effendi,” celebrating the legacy of Hassan Ali Effendi, the first Consul General of the Ottoman Empire in Sindh and founder of Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU). The program highlighted his contributions to education in Sindh and the enduring cultural ties between Pakistan and Türkiye.
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome speech from Mr. CemalSangu, Consul General of Türkiye in Karachi, who spoke about Hassan Ali Effendi’s crucial role in strengthening the bond between the two nations, particularly through education and cultural exchange. The event featured insightful speeches by various scholars and intellectuals. Prof. Dr. HalilToker from Istanbul University delivered a talk in Urdu, detailing the centuries-old relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye, illustrated by his book “Journey of Friendship and Brotherhood.”
He traced the Turkish presence in the subcontinent, dating back to before the Mughal era. Dr. Fatima Hassan, lecturer at Karachi University, shared her reflections on the shared literary and cultural heritage of the two nations, presenting poetry that linked the histories of both countries. Her poems eloquently illustrated the spiritual connection between the two, notably mentioning the tomb of Hazrat Ayyub Ansari in Istanbul, a symbol of mutual reverence. Prof. Dr. Uzma Farman, Head of Urdu Department at Karachi University, expanded on the linguistic and cultural ties between Pakistan and Türkiye. She stressed the significance of the Urdu language in shaping modern Pakistan and its connections to the Turkish language and culture. Prof. Dr. NigarSajjad, former head of Islamic Studies at Karachi University, explored the religious and historical connections, focusing on the influence of Turkish rulers like the Ghaznavids and Mughals in India, and the diplomatic efforts of the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Abdulhamid II, who promoted Pan-Islamism. Prof. Dr. Mujeeb Uddin SahraiMemon, Vice Chancellor of SMIU, paid tribute to Hassan Ali Effendi, describing him as a symbol of brotherhood between Pakistan and Türkiye.
He announced plans to translate a biography of Effendi by Mirza KaleechBaig into English, further promoting Effendi’s contributions on an international scale. The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh, former Vice Chancellor of SMIU, who highlighted Effendi’s pivotal role in fostering relations between Sindh and Türkiye.
Prof. Shaikh also discussed his personal experiences, including meeting President RecepTayyipErdoğan, where he presented Effendi’s legacy to Turkish scholars, inspiring an article about Effendi published in Turkish. Shaikh also shared the often-overlooked fact that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founder, studied under Hassan Ali Effendi at SMIU, aligning his educational vision with that of his mentor.
The event concluded with a speech from Prof. Dr. Shaista Effendi, a plastic surgeon and Hassan Ali Effendi’s grandchild. She expressed deep gratitude to the Turkish Consulate for honoring her grandfather’s legacy and for maintaining connections with the Effendi family in both Pakistan and abroad. The evening ended with lively discussion about the deep historical and cultural ties between the two brotherly nations.
The event was a celebration of Hassan Ali Effendi’s life and contributions, reinforcing the strong bond between Pakistan and Türkiye.
