100 Years of Urdu in Turkey. October 12, 2015 (2015-06)

The year 2015 is of special importance as it marks the centenary of Urdu in Turkey. It was exactly 100 years ago that the instruction of Urdu language and literature formally commenced in Turkey. Having passed through many phases over the past century, this process has contributed immensely to the advancement of Urdu in Turkey on the one hand, and enriched the relationship between the Turkish and Pakistani nations on the other hand.

Urdu language is indeed a strong reflection of the eternal bonds between the two nations. The word 'Urdu' itself is derived from the Turkish language. Experts estimate that there are about 6,000 words common to Urdu and Turkish languages.

According to scholars of Urdu language and literature, it was in 1915 that the instruction of Urdu first started at the Darul Funoon (the Faculty of Edebiyat) at the Istanbul University, and Abdul Jabbar Khairi was appointed as professor of Urdu language.

Subsequently, especially following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, a number of initiatives were taken to promote Urdu studies in Turkey. These efforts picked up further momentum in the 1960s and 1970s with the establishment of Urdu/Pakistan Studies chairs at the Ankara University and Istanbul University. Currently, three Turkish Universities - Ankara University, Istanbul University, and Selcuk University (Konya) - have functioning Urdu Departments.

Over the years, extensive and invaluable research has been conducted on the works of luminaries of Urdu poetry and prose - including Amir Khusro, Mir, Ghalib, Hali, Azad, Sir Syed, Iqbal, Hashar, Yildirim, and Manto. Of special importance is the wide-ranging research done on the literary and philosophical works of the national poet of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal including through translations, commentaries and scholarly monographs. Seminal works by scholars in Turkey have, among others, focused on Iqbal's spiritual connection with Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi as well as on the similarities of thought between Iqbal and Mehmet Akif Ersoy, the eminent Turkish poet who also composed Turkey's national anthem. Currently, Turkish scholars are focusing on contemporary Urdu poets and prose-writers and gradually introducing their works in Turkey as well.

A large number of Turkish academics and scholars have contributed to the promotion of Urdu language and literature in Turkey. While it is not possible to name all of them, no account of Urdu in Turkey would be complete without mentioning the services of stalwarts like Prof. Zafar Hasan Aibak, Prof. Ali Nihat Tarian, Dr. Abdul Kadir Kara Han, Dr. Mehmet Onder, Dr. Shaukat Bolu, Dr. Erkan Turkmen, Dr. Selma Beneli, Dr. Gulserin Halici, Dr. Halil Toker, Dr. Asuman Belen, and Dr. Celal Soydan.

Similarly, those who have played a key role in introducing and promoting Urdu in Turkey, besides the Khairi brothers in the second decade of the previous century, include Ambassador of Pakistan Mian Bashir Ahmad, Tariq Farooqui, Dr. Hanif Fauq. Dr. A.S. Ibadat Barelvi, Dr. Ghulam Hussain Zulfiqar, Dr. Nisar Ahmad Asrar, Dr. Ahmad Bakhtiar Ashraf, Dr. Dr. Anwar Ahmad, and Dr. Furqan Hameed.

Over the past several decades, the Government of Pakistan has made its own contributory efforts for the promotion of Urdu in Turkey. These includes establishment of Urdu and Pakistan Studies Chairs, posting of scholars, provision of books and teaching materials, and support for mutual collaboration between relevant Universities. Specific measures are underway to upgrade these efforts and further advance this important work in the coming years.

The credit for celebrating 100 years of Urdu studies in Turkey in a befitting manner goes to the Istanbul University, acknowledged internationally as a premier institution of higher learning. Among other things, the University has organized an international symposium from 12-14 October 2015, with participation of a large number of Urdu scholars from Pakistan as well as from several other countries. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality has lent valuable support to this initiative. Prof. Dr. Halil Toker, the Head of Urdu Department, Edebiyat Faculty, at the Istanbul University, has played an instrumental role in organizing these celebrations and in overall endeavours to promote the cause of Urdu.

It is equally fitting that the Government of Pakistan is commemorating the centenary of Urdu language in Turkey with the issuance of a special postage stamp. This would not only serve to increase greater awareness of Urdu and Pakistan Studies in Turkey but would also help further accentuate the cultural dimension of the special relationship existing between Pakistan and Turkey.

Indeed, the Pakistan-Turkey relationship remains unique in inter-state relations marked as it is by deep mutual trust and understanding and ever-growing cooperation. Successive generations have worked assiduously to nurture these historic ties embedded in indissoluble bonds of common faith, shared history, and cultural and civilizational links. No wonder that Pakistan and Turkey are often described as being, 'Two States, One Nation. This new milestone in the shared history of the two countries, and its special commemoration during 2015, brings the two peoples ever closer.

On 100 Years of Urdu in Turkey, a commemorative postage stamp of Rs. 10/-denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on October 12, 2015.