'The Turkish and Pan-Turkish Ideal by Tekin Alp' [‎11r] (26/58)

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We may first mention the “ Turk Ojaghi ”, whose work is the
education of all classes, and the “ Turk Bilgi Derneyi ”, whose aim is the
creation of a new language, literature, and civilization on a national
basis. The most important of the organizations for raising the physical
strength of the nation are the “ Turk Giiji ” and “ Izji ”.
The “ Turk Ojaghi ” (The Home of the Turks) was founded on
March 25, 1912, in Constantinople. This society, which is only open to
Turks, and even excludes foreign Mohammedans, expresses its aims in
the following statute, which has received the approval of the Government :
“ To work for the national education of the Turkish people which forms
the most important division of Islam ; to work for the raising of her
intellectual, social, and economic standard, and for the perfection of the
Turkish language and race.” The same statute declares that the means
of action is to be the foundation of clubs, the institution of evening
schools, public lectures, literary and artistic evenings, the foundation of
schools, the publication of books and periodicals. In order to increase
and protect the national wealth, the proper authorities will be approached
with a view to encouraging those interested in social and economic
questions, showing them the best way to work, and if necessary support
ing them ; all pains will be taken to make the suitable arrangements for
the carrying on of this work.
It is easily understood that the “ Turk Ojaghi’s ” activities were
very limited during the first year of its production, but in the second it
increased to an extraordinary extent.
The Union numbers to-day 1,800 members in Constantinople alone,
among whom are 1,600 student and former university men. It has a large
and fairly well-appointed meeting club in the centre of Stamboul, which
is very well attended. The Turkish papers published abroad may be
read here, and there is a well-stocked library which already boasts a large
collection of volumes, although the Union is only two years old. There
is, moreover, a huge lecture-hall, seating several thousand people, with
arrangements for lantern-slide illustrations. A lecture evening is held
every Thursday, devoted to Literature and Nationalist propaganda.
University professors and other influential persons speak at these evenings,
either on interesting episodes in Turkish history, the Turkish heroes,
ancient arts, such as Architecture and the art of Enamelling, now
unhappily forgotten, or else on the life of the Turks abroad, and numerous
other interesting subjects. The lectures are illustrated with lantern
slides. Pictures are shown illustrating the old Turkish civilization ; for
instance, the ancient mosques built by Turkish architects, country
pictures from Hindustan, Afghanistan, Turkestan, &c. The “ Turk
Ojaghi ” has a rich and interesting collection, consisting of several
thousand of these pictures.
These literary meetings are repeated every Friday for the Turkish
women, who are most frequent in their attendance. The “ Turk Ojaghi ”
helps the women’s movement in Turkey in every possible way. Not only
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