Fahrettin Pasha, who fought against hunger and ate locusts while defending Medina, brought the Holy Relics to Istanbul and protected this valuable heritage from the British occupation. It has become a name written in golden letters in Turkish and Islamic history. Fahrettin Pasha’s heroism contains a unique story of struggle that left deep traces in Islamic and Turkish history. The resistance he showed during the defense of Medina was not only a military strategy, but also the beginning of an epic blended with faith and sacrifice.
“Desert tiger” Fahrettin Pasha, also known as Fahrettin Pasha, successfully protected the holy lands for 2 years and 7 months under harsh conditions against the British who tried to capture Medina during the First World War. This hero, remembered with admiration by the Turks, was also remembered by the British. “Turkish Tiger” It was referred to as. The Defense of Medina, which has adorned the pages of history for years, reflects a victory story full of the epic heroism of Fahrettin Pasha.
Who is Fahrettin Pasha, the Hero of Medina?
Fahrettin Pashafull name Ömer Fahreddin Türkkanof Bulgaria in 1868 Russian He opened his eyes to the world in his city. He settled in Istanbul with his family after the War of 1993. After graduating from the Military Academy with the top honors, he graduated from the Military Academy and started his career in 1891 with the rank of Staff Captain. He made important contributions in the defense of Çatalca and the recapture of Edirne in the Balkan War.
At the beginning of World War I, he was the commander of the 12th Corps of the 4th Army. MosulFahrettin Pasha, who served in , was appointed as the deputy commander of the 4th Army in 1915. He successfully suppressed the Armenian rebellions in Urfa, Zeytun, Musadağı and Haçin. In 1916, he was appointed commander of the Hijaz Expeditionary Force in Medina by the 4th Army commander Cemal Pasha. British-backed rebel Sharif Husseincarried out with limited resources against the army of Defense of Medina It received great appreciation. As the Turkish armies began to retreat to the north, Fahreddin Pasha, who was completely cut off from the Turkish troops around him, continued to defend the city.
The Ottoman Empire withdrew from World War I by signing the Armistice of Mudros on October 30, 1918. However, Fahrettin Pasha, who defended Medina for 72 days after the surrender of the Ottoman Empire, had to leave the city because of the exhaustion of food, medicine and ammunition. Ended the defense on January 13, 1919. This marked the end of more than 400 years of Turkish rule in Medina.
Fahrettin Pasha, British by prisoner of war It was sent first to Egypt and then to Malta. He escaped from Malta on April 8, 1921 and reached Ankara to participate in the War of Independence. He was assigned by Gazi Mustafa Kemal Pasha to unite the Turkish forces fighting against the French Army on the Southern Front. With the end of the conflicts in the south, on 9 November 1921, the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Kabul EmbassyBy being appointed to , he played an important role in the development of Turkish-Afghan friendship.
Fahrettin Pasha, who retired from the army in 1936, 22 November 1948He died as a result of a heart attack during a train journey near Eskişehir. upon his will Aşiyan CemeteryFahrettin Pasha, who was buried in Istanbul, completed the life of an important hero in Turkish history.
Fahrettin Pasha’s Defense of Medina
Fahrettin Pasha was sent to Medina on May 28, 1916, in a period shaken by the rebellion preparations of Mecca Sheriff Hussein. Fahrettin Pasha, who reached Medina before the rebels, quickly implemented defensive measures. The events, which started with Sharif Hussein’s destruction of the railway and telegraph lines around Medina on June 3, escalated with the attack on Medina police stations on the night of June 5-6, but this attack was repelled.
Fahrettin PashaWhile defending the city, he primarily defended the forces in Medina. sacred relics and sent some manuscripts to Istanbul to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. Most of these manuscripts were already sent to the libraries in Medina by the Ottoman administrators. Topkapi palaceNearly 500 manuscripts currently preserved in the Medina Library in , have ensured that these historical relics have survived to the present day.
During the time he spent in Medina, Fahrettin Pasha interacted with the people in order to attract the Arabs in the region to his side. If in Mecca Governor Galib PashaThe rebellion that grew due to his incompetence led to the city falling into the hands of the rebels. While the cities outside Medina were occupied by the rebels in a short time, Fahrettin Pasha did not give up defending the region despite his limited resources.
Fahrettin Pasha’s Communiqué on Grasshopper Consumption
Hejaz railwayAfter the capture of Müdevvere Station by the rebels, Medina Castle was besieged and Fahrettin Pasha took on the task of defending a castle that was cut off from its surroundings. However, due to lack of help Hunger, thirst and diseases began to increase rapidly. On June 7, 1918, under these difficult conditions, Fahrettin Pasha published a remarkable communiqué regarding grasshopper consumptionI:
“How is a grasshopper different from a sparrow? Only it has no feathers. He also flies with wings like a sparrow. It feeds on plants and eats clean and fresh things. He is also a smoker and a pleasure-seeker, and enjoys tobacco and lemon. The main food of Bedouins is grasshoppers. Bedouins owe their strength and vitality to the grasshoppers they eat…”.
Fahrettin Pasha stated that he had the grasshoppers examined by doctors, and after praising the properties of the grasshoppers, he made a recipe for preparing grasshopper dishes in four different ways.
Surrender of Fahrettin Pasha to the British
Meanwhile, the Ottoman Empire accepted defeat and declared defeat on 30 October 1918. Armistice of MudrosHe withdrew from the war by signing the . When Medina was requested to be handed over in accordance with the terms of the armistice, Fahrettin Pasha rejected this request and He defended Medina for 72 more days. Fahrettin Pasha was not thinking of surrendering. Thereupon, Istanbul removed the pasha from the command and appointed Colonel Ali Necib Bey. The new commander, Ali Necib Bey, managed the surrender negotiations. However, the British and Arabs required Fahrettin Pasha to surrender. Thereupon, the deputy commander Ali Necib BeyHe made an agreement with the British and handed over the pasha.
Ali Necib Bey and his companions waited near the tomb of our Prophet and went to Fahrettin Pasha, who did not surrender. Thinking that they came to ask how he was doing They threw ashes into Fahrettin Pasha’s eyes, jumped on him and tied him up. and they handed it over to the British on January 10, 1919. Fahrettin Pasha, this incident the saddest day of your life He would describe it as:
Fahrettin Pasha gave the following answer to the Istanbul Government, which was offered to leave the castle before the siege started: “I cannot lower the Turkish flag from the Medina Castle with my own hands. If he must be evacuated, send another commander here.” He also vowed to sacrifice himself by blowing up the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad rather than surrender to the British and Arabs.
Fahrettin Pasha, who prayed at Ravza-i Mutahhara, that is, the tomb of our Prophet, during the siege, expressed his feelings with the following words: “Get up! Get up, Muhammad! Messenger of Allah, arise! And behold those who believe in you and fight for you here! Bring God’s help to us!” Fahrettin Pasha, who gave a sermon in the Harem-i Şerif on Friday, April 2, 1918, wrapped the Turkish Standard around his chest, stretched his right arm towards the grave of the Prophet Muhammad and shouted loudly. ‘O Messenger of Allah, I cannot leave you’ he exclaimed.
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