Clergymen and Their Activities in the Sanjak of Aydın in the National Struggle

The National Struggle was a total war and every segment of the society participated in this war. Like soldiers and bureaucrats, clergymen also took sides with Anatolia against Istanbul in the war of fatwas, in mosque pulpits against the occupation forces, in rallies organized in squares, and in the birth and survival of the power of resistance and independent living inherent in the Turkish nation during the National Struggle. They assumed an important role by fighting within the Associations for Defence of National Rights they founded and of which they were members, and by guiding the people on the frontlines. As in many parts of Anatolia, clergymen in the Sanjak of Aydın also took part in many stages of the National Struggle and played an active role. Very few of them were under the influence of the Istanbul Government or acted with the occupation forces. Hacı Süleyman Efendi, Mehmet Esad Efendi, Bozdoğan Mufti Hasan Tahir Efendi, Mehmet Emin Efendi, Karacasu Mufti Mustafa Hulusi Efendi, Çine Mufti Ahmet Zühtü Efendi took an active part in the formation and development of the Aydın Kuvâ-yı Milliyya and fulfilled a very important task with their efforts. With the volunteers they gathered, they formed a strong resistance front against the Greek advance, took part in the Committees of Nationalization, and brought the national forces together by leading the convening of the Nazilli Congress. Hacı Süleyman Efendi, Mehmet Esat Efendi, Mehmet Emin Efendi took part in the Grand National Assembly as members. This article focuses on the struggles of clergymen in Aydın during the period of the National Struggle and their steps towards social unification. Except for a few general studies in Türkiye, the services of clergymen who were active in Aydın during the National Struggle have not been sufficiently revealed. In this study, the services of these clergymen in the National Struggle are discussed by utilizing archival documents, memoirs and local and national press of the period.

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