BUILDING nations begins with building capable leaders. Rather than delving deep into theory, I want to share a story about the late King Hassan II of Morocco (May God have mercy on him) and his vision for his son, King Mohammed VI. His words offer a valuable lesson on nurturing leaders who will succeed in ruling their countries. King Hassan II spoke about his then Crown Prince, Mohammed VI, using simple yet profound words filled with pride, concern, and love. The late King Hassan II said, “Mohammed is not only my son but he is the extension of my soul. I watched him grow before my eyes, but I was preparing him to carry the nation on his shoulders.
I did not teach him how to be a prince, but rather how to be a servant of his country. I know that the crown is a heavy burden, but I saw in Mohammed the patience, wisdom, and quiet strength to understand more than to speak. He listens carefully for a long time, but when he does speak, I feel that Morocco breathes safely. If I am absent, be assured that I have left you a king who resembles me, not only in blood and features but also in his deep love for this country.”
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This is how a 600-year-old empire was brought down. In 1889, a group of students at the Military Medical College in Turkiye founded the Committee of Union and Progress with the backing of Masonic networks. The group claimed its mission was to reform the Ottoman Empire and improve its conditions.
However, its true objectives were to undermine the state, weaken the influence of Islam and the authority of the Sultan, and abolish the Caliphate. Many of the committee’s members were Freemason Dönmeh Jews. Their ideas quickly spread among intellectuals, public figures, and military officers.
The Committee of Union and Progress gained control over the Second, Third, and Fourth Ottoman Armies. In 1908, the committee staged a coup against Sultan Abdul Hamid II, claiming they sought to implement a European-style constitution and establish a parliamentary system similar to that of England, where the people would rule through elected deputies. They succeeded in their mission and secured a majority in Parliament.
However, their racist policies toward non-Turks led to major repercussions. Bulgaria and Hungary declared independence, Crete united with Greece, and the Armenians revolted. The blame for these events was placed on Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and Parliament announced his deposition.
A delegation, which included a Jewish member, was sent to deliver the decision to the Sultan. He was then exiled and replaced by Prince Mehmed V, who held the title of Sultan but lacked any real power, as the committee controlled all aspects of governance. Under their rule, a horrific massacre was committed against the Armenians. They also forced the Ottoman Empire into World War I, which led to the empire’s defeat and collapse. The Armistice of Mudros and the Treaty of Sèvres were signed, leading to the Ottoman Empire losing all its European territories.
The Arab countries fell under French and British control. All that remained of the empire were Istanbul and a few island cities. Shortly afterward, the Sultan passed away. Abdulmejid II was appointed Caliph in a symbolic capacity, while behind the scenes, a general from the Committee of Union and Progress, Mustafa Kemal, began to rise in power. He rejected the Treaty of Sèvres and declared a jihad to expel the occupying Greek, Italian, British, and French forces.
In 1923, Mustafa Kemal signed the Treaty of Lausanne, which established the modern borders of Turkey. Three months later, the secular Turkish Republic was officially declared, headed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk exiled all members of the Ottoman dynasty from the country, banned the hijab, the call to prayer, the Hajj pilgrimage, and the teaching of the Quran. He permanently abolished the position of the Caliphate, ending 600 years of Ottoman rule. The history of the Ottoman Empire was filled with both achievements and failures, as it was ultimately a human endeavor. It had powerful rulers such as Osman I, Mehmed the Conqueror, and Murad I, as well as weak ones like Selim II and Mustafa I (known as “the Mad”), among others.
