'The Turkish and Pan-Turkish Ideal by Tekin Alp' [‎10v] (25/58)

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The Turkish Nationalists made great efforts to nationalize religion
itself, and give it the impress of the Turkish national spirit.
This idea was zealously supported by the fortnightly Islam
Majmu'asi, which has a wide circulation in Turkey and will be a great
help to the Nationalists in attaining this end. It has many times been
bitterly attacked by its opponents, the Sebil-ul-Reshad and the Surat-i-
Mustakim, but every attack causes an increase in its popularity. One
of the noblest tasks undertaken by the Islam Majmu’asi is the transla
tion of the Koran into Turkish ; this is a reform of the greatest impor
tance. It is well known that the translation of the Koran has hitherto
been considered as a sin. The Nationalists have cut themselves off from
this superstitious prejudice, and have had three translations made, the
above-mentioned and two others.
Another recently instituted reform is the reading of the “ Khutba ”
(Prayer for the Caliph) in the Turkish language instead of in Arabic, of
which all hearers and believers are ignorant.
CHAPTER VI
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE TURKISH MOVEMENT
The various movements which attained a certain importance in
Turkey during the last few years have all either disappeared entirely or
almost completely lost their influence on the mind of the people.
We may perhaps mention “ Ottomanism ”, which was supreme after
the setting up of the constitution. At that time Greeks and Bulgarians
embraced one another in the streets, stirring speeches were made on
every side, and the lasting brotherhood of all nations in Turkey was
celebrated. All should form together one body, one single inseparable
nation. It is well known how this “ Unity ” ended.
During the Tripoli War, “Pan-Islamism” was the cry; this outlasted
the Balkan War, but is still far removed from playing an important part
in internal politics.
The Turkish National movement does not exhibit the failings of the
earlier movements. It is in every way adapted to the intellectual standard
and feelings of the nation. It also keeps pace with the ideas of the age,
which have for some decades centred round the principle of Nationality.
In adopting Turkish Nationalism as the basis of their national policy,
the Turks have only abandoned an abnormal state of affairs and thereby
placed themselves on a level with modern nations. The basis of the move
ment is so sound and firm, the movement itself is so widely spread and so
much a part of the people, that it cannot now be eradicated even by force.
The movement has also a good, all-embracing organization, which
takes into consideration the different branches of the physical and
psychical development of the race.