Abdur Rahman Peshawari: One of journalists who covered Turkish War of Independence

By Muhammet Nazim Tasci

PAKISTAN (AA) - Anadolu compiled information about Abdur Rahman Peshawari, one of the first journalists to work for the agency, as the Republic of Türkiye is set to mark its centenary on Oct. 29

Halide Edip Adivar and Yunus Nadi founded Anadolu 103 years ago on April 6, 1920, under instructions from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic.

Peshawari, who was originally from Kashmir and belonged to a Pashtun family, was born in 1886 as the son of an affluent Samdani family.

He completed his primary education in Peshawar, Pakistan and continued his university education at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in India.

While continuing his university education, Peshawari joined the Red Crescent delegation led by Muhtar Ahmed Ensari, who was preparing to go to Istanbul to help the Ottoman Empire during the Balkan Wars.

He never returned to his country after coming to Türkiye in 1912.

Peshawari, who joined in the Battle of Gallipoli in World War I and the Turkish Independence War, took his place among Anadolu’s first journalists and became Türkiye’s first ambassador to Kabul.

Peshawari’s nephew told Anadolu about his uncle’s contributions to the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Türkiye, highlighting the profound effect he made during his 13-year residence in Türkiye.

-Known as ‘Lala Turki’, ‘Chacha Turki’

Muhammed Salim Can said his uncle became famous in Türkiye, especially after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned him in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

“I was born in 1947. Peshawari passed away in 1925. What I know about him is based on what my father, uncles, and relatives have told me,” said Can.

Can noted that Peshawari was known as Lala Turki, or Turkish brother, and Chacha Turki, or Turkish uncle.

"A Red Crescent delegation was formed in Aligarh to provide assistance to the Ottoman State. This delegation was only accepting medical personnel,” he said.

-‘He said he was married to his cause’

Can note Peshawari’s desire to go to Istanbul to support the Ottoman Empire.

“For this reason, he attended a four- to five-month paramedic course to get an education. He did not tell his father that he would go to Istanbul and sold all his belongings to cover the travel expenses to Türkiye,” he said.

Can said after completing the Red Crescent delegation's mission, Peshawari returned to India.

"But Peshawari stayed in Istanbul and did not return. He did not return because it was his duty. He was thinking of his Turkish brothers and considered them as his own siblings.

“That's why he stayed in Türkiye. He had dedicated himself to his cause. When asked why he didn't get married, he said he was married to his cause,” he said.

Can said Peshawari went to Afghanistan as Türkiye’s first Ambassador to Kabul for the Republic of Türkiye.

"During those times, he had to hide himself and travel to Afghanistan by road, and this journey took three months,” he said.

-‘Not visiting a slave country’

"His mother wanted him to come to Peshawari and see her. Of course, other relatives also wanted this. But he refused. At that time, Peshawari was under British Indian rule.

“He said he would not visit a country that had become a slave. His family went to visit him in Kabul. His mother couldn't go. She passed away without seeing him,” he said.

Can pointed out the significant place that Peshawari holds in the relationship between Pakistan and Türkiye.

"We were raised with a love for Türkiye. Our uncle Peshawari is buried in Türkiye. Türkiye is not only his country but also ours.

“We have this feeling of a relationship. The Turkish people have great respect for him and see him as one of their own,” he said.

"Putting everything aside, such a man, such dedication, his love for his cause, is unimaginable. All of this happened in 13 years. He came to Türkiye in 1912 and passed away in 1925,” he added.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul