I must confess, I know next to nothing about the Greek Muslim community, but thanks to good ol’ YouTube I know a fraction more than I did this morning.
I found an illuminating short vid entitled Famous Greek Muslims that reveals there are 1.5 million Greek Muslims worldwide. They identify as Greeks and they descended from the Hellenes.
What I didn’t realize was the prominent role Greek Muslims have played in Islamic history and how vitally they’ve contributed to our collective heritage over the course of centuries.
Here are just ten of the fine examples you’ll find in the vid, and just a smattering of the hundreds of thousands throughout history:
Valiant Warriors
Suhayb Al Rami: Born in 587 A.D, Suhayb was a companion of the prophet and commanded the Muslim armies.
Gazi Evrenos (D-1417) was a senior Ottoman Military commander and former Byzantine Soldier. Gazi was also a virile sort of chap: he fathered 7 sons and seven daughters!
Gawhar Al-Siqili: For much of his lifetime, from 928-992 A.D, Gawhar was a Sicilian Greek Fatimid General who conquered North Africa and Egypt.
Scientists, Sorcerers and Scholars
Abdurrahman Al-Kahzini (1090-1150 A.D) was a Greek Muslim astronomer, physicist, biologist, alchemist, mathematician and philosopher (and surely a fascinating dinner party companion!).
Sheilh Bedreddin 1359-1420 was a revolutionary theologian and charismatic preacher who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Sadly, his intrepid and brave adventure got him hanged.
Masterful Muslim Monarchs
Greek Muslim King Murad II (1326-1389) was Ottoman Sultan, succeeded by another of his kind: Beyezid I Yildirim (1354-1403).
Fast forward a little and another Greek Muslim, Mehmed II (1432-1481) filled the Sultan’s boots.
And Let’s Not Forget Legendary Greek Muslim Ladies…
Kösem Sultan (1589-1652) was the most powerful woman in Ottoman History: she was appointed Valide Sultan, ruling the Empire herself and was also the mother of two Ottoman Sultans! Kösem was renowned for her charity work and for freeing her slaves after 3 years of service.
