The Ottoman state was the last Islamic Caliphate, uniting diverse Muslims under one banner at its height. Despite its dominance in world politics and the unique order it created, its details are often overlooked by Muslims. Originating as a small beylik in Asia Minor, the Ottoman dynasty rose to power after conquering Constantinople (Istanbul) in the fifteenth century, influencing both West Asia and Europe. By the sixteenth century, it reached a 'golden age' as a Caliphate but was depicted as a declining dynasty by the eighteenth century and labeled the 'sick man of Europe' by the nineteenth century. The dynasty was abolished in 1924, giving way to the Turkish Republic. Much of Ottoman history has been shaped by ideological narratives within academia and the nation-states that emerged from its domains.
In this CIK Talk, inspired by a paper published by the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, Dr. Yakoob Ahmed argued that "Collective Amnesia" was deliberately fostered to consolidate modern nation-states. He explored why it is crucial for Muslims to invest in studying Islamic history, especially Ottoman history, to reclaim our past and forge a better future for the Umma.
In this CIK Talk, inspired by a paper published by the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, Dr. Yakoob Ahmed argued that "Collective Amnesia" was deliberately fostered to consolidate modern nation-states. He explored why it is crucial for Muslims to invest in studying Islamic history, especially Ottoman history, to reclaim our past and forge a better future for the Umma.
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Dr. Yakoob AhmedDr. Yakoob Ahmed is currently an Assistant Professor at Istanbul University’s Ilahiyat (Theology) department as well as a researcher at the Institute of Islamic Studies (ISAMER) at Istanbul University. He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Languages and Cultures, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) - University of London. He also graduated from the same institution with a Master’s degree in Near and Middle East Studies, focusing on Ottoman history and Turkish politics. His research focuses are Late Ottoman History, Muslim intellectual thought in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Islamic constitutionalism, nation-state construction, ulema history of the Late Ottoman state, identity, and collective memory construction. Dr. Ahmed is also a regular contributor for Middle East Eye and TRT World where he has written about several subjects.
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