Makaleler

WHITE GOLD: THE STORY OF SUGAR

Trading sugar made so much money that people started to call it ‘white gold.' The increase in sugar production was also one of the main drivers of the slave trade
6 Ekim 2017 Cuma

FAKE NOBLES, FICTITIOUS OTTOMANS

Some people who saw the Ottoman's brilliant role and reputation Islamic history claimed to be related to the Ottoman dynasty, and they succeeded in deceiving the simple-minded with these false claims, and some of these people were from European dynasties such as the Romanovs and Habsburgs
29 Eylül 2017 Cuma

A CHRONICLE OF LABOR MOVEMENTS IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Workers' rights in the Ottoman Empire were always protected under the guidance of Islam, which is a religion that honors honest labor. Although there were setbacks, labor rights were always present in the empire which was not an industrialized state
22 Eylül 2017 Cuma

EUNUCHS of the ORIENT

Harems and eunuchs are among the most eccentric issues of old oriental life. The discipline of the harem, where it was impossible to come across even a male fly, was handled by the eunuchs. Thanks to them, the palace didn't witness a single scandal in six centuries.
15 Eylül 2017 Cuma

VISA REQUIRED: TRAVELING TO ISTANBUL DURING OTTOMAN ERA

As the capital city of the empire, Istanbul was administered under strict rules and travel to the city was regulated. Different permits would be issued depending on whether you wanted to visit and or to settle down. The city population was also strictly maintained in order to avoid food shortages and keep the peace
8 Eylül 2017 Cuma

TURKS' SACRIFICE TRADITIONS

The ritual of sacrifice is observed by many traditions and religions, and, Turkic people, even before accepting Islam as their religion, are known to have practiced this tradition and continue to follow it during Eid al-Adha
1 Eylül 2017 Cuma

AUTONOMOUS OTTOMAN PROVINCES

The administrations of every single province in the Ottoman Empire differed in their features, which allowed the large, contiguous empire that was home to people of various origins and religions to sustain itself for centuries
25 Ağustos 2017 Cuma

SERAGLIO SIGN LANGUAGE: THE OTTOMAN COURT'S SECOND LANGUAGE

In modern-day Turkey, mute officials serve in Parliament and in the Cabinet, and the reason for this is the concern for privacy about state affairs, which has a history dating back to the Ottoman era
18 Ağustos 2017 Cuma

THE STORY OF HONEY

Honey is one of the oldest foods known to man, but this natural treat is much more than just a sweetener, as honey also works as an effective cure for ailments and a natural shield against infection
11 Ağustos 2017 Cuma

JERUSALEM AND AL-AQSA: 3,000-YEAR-OLD STORY

Jerusalem, founded by David 3,000 years ago, is considered a sacred city by the three Abrahamic religions, but the recent conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis over Al-Aqsa have their roots in the 1940s
4 Ağustos 2017 Cuma

HISTORIC TRADITION OF CIRCUMCISION

Circumcision is an age-old tradition and, according to archaeological findings on ancient mummies and papyri, the practice existed in ancient Egypt, as well. Christopher Columbus was shocked to find Native Americans were circumcised. Even in today's world, circumcision can be a symbol of class, status and a worldwide topic for debate
28 Temmuz 2017 Cuma

OTTOMAN MARK ON ISTANBUL

The population of Istanbul, which was not even 50,000 when the Ottomans conquered it, grew slowly due to migration from Anatolia. Through construction and settlement, the Ottomans made their mark on the city, making it the dream city of the empire
21 Temmuz 2017 Cuma

ECHOES OF A COUP ATTEMPT

July 15, 2017 is the first anniversary of the coup attempt perpetrated by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) and a secret group in the military. Fortunately, contrary to the previous coups, the attempt failed thanks to the people's tenacious protection of democracy
13 Temmuz 2017 Perşembe

TSARIST RUSSIANS IN ISTANBUL

The supporters of the tsar fleeing the Bolsheviks took refuge in Istanbul under great difficulties. Among them were people of all stripes, including generals, famous artists, professors and businessmen
7 Temmuz 2017 Cuma

TURKIC PEOPLES' ROAD TO ISLAM

Having been in contact with Islam since the eighth century due to geographical proximity, Turkic people often accepted Islam voluntarily. The Quran forbids forced conversion to Islam at sword-point. The Islamic ethical structure encouraged people to convert to the new religion
30 Haziran 2017 Cuma

THE GOOD, OLD HOLIDAYS

Everyone says the Muslim holidays they experienced in their childhood were better than they are now. In the past, the desserts were sweeter, the places they traveled were more beautiful, people were warmer, and life was like a feast. Of course, some parts of this is true even though they might seem like a fairy tale to most
25 Haziran 2017 Pazar

QATAR'S JOURNEY FROM PAST TO PRESENT

This is the story of Qatar, a country that has striven to become a powerful political actor in the Middle East since it was a district of the Ottoman Empire over 100 years ago
16 Haziran 2017 Cuma

THE WORDS OF HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD FROM ORAL TRADITION TO WRITTEN FORM

There are those among today's Muslims who do not accept the words that are said to belong to Prophet Muhammad and say they cannot be trusted because they were written down many years later. However, there's evidence that suggest the words of the prophet began to be written down in the same period as the verses of the Quran
9 Haziran 2017 Cuma

HISTORY OF THE COMPILATION OF QURAN

The companions of Prophet Muhammad served in transferring the Islamic holy book to future generations. The Quran was compiled into a book in the time of the first caliph, Abu Bakr
2 Haziran 2017 Cuma

POLITICAL OPPOSITION IN THE OTTOMAN SOCIETY

In the past when political opposition and the press were nonexistent, Ottoman scholars were the ones who warns the administration of issues when they arose, while poets and artists created a culture of criticism by employing their sharp tongues and wit
26 Mayıs 2017 Cuma

MAY 19: START OF THE ANKARA MOVEMENT

'Nutuk' (The Great Speech), which is regarded as one of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's and defense for defining moments reforms, begins with the line, 'I landed in Samsun on May 19, 1919,' what is considered the beginning of the Ankara movement in the official schematic of revolution history
19 Mayıs 2017 Cuma

BEING A TRADESMAN NOT AN EASY JOB IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE

Tradesmen held an important position in Ottoman society. Together with merchants, they formed a central group that led and prevented changes in political and social life
12 Mayıs 2017 Cuma

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE: HIDIRELLEZ

Hıdırellez was once the most lively and fun days of the year, providing children with memories that lasted a lifetime
5 Mayıs 2017 Cuma

SABBATAISM AND DOENMEHS IN OTTOMAN SOCIETY

A significant number of Jews, most of whom had escaped Spanish persecution in 1492, lived in the Ottoman lands. They spoke a mixed language of Hebrew and Spanish, called Ladino and mostly lived in Thessaloniki, Izmir and Istanbul
28 Nisan 2017 Cuma

OTTOMAN HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE IRISH GRIPPED BY FAMINE

It may be surprising to see the star and crescent on the emblem of Irish football club Drogheda, but this emblem has a story dating back to the Irish famine of 1847
21 Nisan 2017 Cuma

GREAT COLONIAL EMPIRE ESTABLISHED BY A SMALL COUNTRY

The great colonial empire established by the Netherlands and the policy it practiced in the lands, which measure 40 times larger than its own, overshadowed its humanist history. The rising trend of fascism in the country is being followed with astonishment and concern
14 Nisan 2017 Cuma

CALLIGRAPHY AS INCORPOREAL PROTECTOR OF OTTOMAN HOUSES

Calligraphy, the art of writing, was more than just art that decorated the walls during the Ottoman times. The teachings and the names written in calligraphy were believed to protect the house
7 Nisan 2017 Cuma

MODERN INSURANCE SYSTEM HAS ITS ROOTS IN MEDIEVAL ANATOLIA

A few centuries ago, protecting roads in Anatolia was honorable work for its people, which led to the establishment of a primitive accident insurance system
24 Mart 2017 Cuma

PRINTING PRESS AS A TURKISH INVENTION

Although it is commonly believed that the printing press is Johann Gutenberg's invention, Buddhists and Muslims had been using the magic of the printing press for centuries. The Ottoman's late transition to the printing press, on the other hand, is directly related to the magnificent work of calligraphists and aesthetic pleasure
17 Mart 2017 Cuma

THE PALESTINE ISSUE THAT COST SULTAN ABDULHAMID II THE OTTOMAN THRONE

In the late 1800s, the Zionist movement called for a Jewish state to be established in Palestine. Sultan Abdülhamid II took a series of precautions to reverse the plan. However, when the sultan was dethroned and the Young Turks took charge, the movement was able to spread in the region
10 Mart 2017 Cuma