YUSUF KARACA, a well-known Turkish scholar who was on the board to translate Maulana Maudoodi’s Tafhim-ul Qur’ān into the Turkish language, and whose translation works in Turkish include Allama Iqbal’s Bal-i-Jibreel and some books of Allama Shibli Nomani and Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, during his recent visit to New Delhi shared his experiences about India and Turkey and wished Turkey to become the role model for others in the near future, in an interview with MOHAMMAD NAUSHAD KHAN.
Do you think there is any similarity between India and Turkey?
First of all, I would like to tell you that I am half Indian and half Turkey. In Turkey, if someone wants to know about India, I am approached by the people to share my knowledge of India with them either individually or collectively. I have stayed in India, studied in Lucknow University and Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, read and acquired knowledge of India through various available means as well as through academicians in India. Even some scholars in India used to say that I was more aware of India than many of them because of my vast experience and the knowledge I had acquired about India.
Historically, India and Turkey had very close relations and shared great historical past. The creation of Pakistan was the blunder for Indian Muslims because undivided India could have surely helped the Indian Muslims to be in a better condition than what they are now. The representation of Muslims at all levels could have been much proportional than it is today. In Islamic perspective, Indian Muslims are far more superior to Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh in all aspects.
You were very close to Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi. Anything you wish to tell us about him?
Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi was like my father and he too loved me and cared for me as his son. I had highest regards for him and respected him from the core of the heart. Ali Miyan taught me how to learn Urdu. One thing I would like to share that one day when Abdul Majid Dariabadi had come to meet Ali Miyan, I was called there and after the discussion the latter told me it was unbelievable how I could speak such chaste Urdu and that too in a very short period.
In one of your talks in New Delhi you said you had taught the current prime minister of Turkey. At any point of time had you realised by his activities that one day he would become a great man and serve the country?
You have asked a very good question. As a child he had all the traits and intellect that insinuated at that point of time that one day he would be a great man in the days to come. It was just because of parallel educational institution that was shaping the society there. Today, the educational system has transformed to a great extent and girls with hijab can now attend educational institutions. A couple of years ago it was not permissible; even the army failed to allow them because of the pressure of the deep state which was believed to have governed the country. Further, even women with hijab are now holding key posts in the judiciary and other institutions. Earlier, even in parliament, women with hijab were not allowed and humiliated.
Do you think Turkey may become a role model for other Muslim countries in the days to come?
To me it seems impossible because the international community which is against Islam will use everything at its will to destabilise the country and won’t allow it to prosper. People within the country will be provoked with money and material support aimed at orchestrating civil wars in order to harm the pace of development. But, Turkey has got great potential and I wish it could become the role model for other Muslim countries in every respect. Petrol is the diet of European countries and think for a while what would happen if they do not get it. America and its allies used to collect raw material from Muslim countries at cheaper rate, get it processed and sale it to other countries at very high price. Conspiracies are hatched against Muslim countries to create chaos and provoke civil wars so that they cannot become a manufacturing hub and solely depend on the developed world for their needs and accept their hegemony. And because of this the Americans do not want democracy and freedom to flourish in the Muslim world.
What is the present status of Urdu in Turkey?
This is a well-known policy in a country that if the language of its country is taught in any other country, it allows that country’s language to be taught in its own country. In Turkey, Urdu was not taught anywhere 25 years ago. Presently, Urdu is taught in universities in Istanbul and other cities. There is another university which is on the border side of Bulgaria and the Vice Chancellor has told me that he is willing to establish Urdu department along with Arabic but as per law the department must have at least one scholar who is well versed in the language. It is true that Urdu knowing people in Turkey are few. As far as the language is concerned, in the entire world it is seen in terms of money and how it can help earn money. In the future, if India and Turkey can build better ties and develop greater ties in various fields then definitely the demand of both Turkish and Urdu will increase in these two countries. I hope the ties between India and Turkey become stronger and both the countries can help each other and prosper.
Anything on Nadwa where you got education. Would you like to help the institution in any way?
The first time when I came to India was almost 56 years ago; since then I have visited India many times and this year alone this is the third visit to India. One day, I came to realise that I lived in India, studied in Lucknow and enjoyed all that was available at that time; therefore I must give something to the place where I spent quality time. Then during one of my visits I asked the authorities at Nadwa how much it would cost to construct a wing as extension to one of the existing hostels. Finally, the construction programme completed. It is now a three-storey hostel for which I consider lucky enough to have helped it done with the help of my close friend Abdullah Saheb. Earlier, the construction programme was to build a hostel that can accommodate one hundred students but during the process the plan got expanded and now the hostel has the capacity to accommodate more than 600 students.
How has Turkey got changed after Erdogan became president?
Change of guard in Turkey was a miracle from the Almighty. In Turkey also, I used to say to the people that Erdogan is a gift to Turkey from the Almighty and if the Turkish community failed to understand and value of that gift then the community as a whole will suffer and will have to repent forever. The changes are so great that it cannot be defined in few words. All I can say that Turkey has completely changed for the better. The country has moved forward beyond 200 years. Presently, Turkey is ahead of Spain and Italy, and little behind France, Germany and England. The country is marching ahead in terms of economy and education. Before Erdogan the volume of Borsa Istanbul (abbreviated as BIST), the sole exchange entity of Turkey, was US$6000 million but it is now US$85000 million. Earlier, no country was willing to lend money to Turkey because of their assumption that Turkey might not be able to repay it. Things have now completely changed and now Turkey is in a position to give money to others. Recently Turkey gave $5 billion as loan to IMF; it is a significant change that has been witnessed in recent times.
Could you tell us about growth of Islamic principles in Turkey?
In Turkey, Islamic sense and Islamic thought is growing by the day. But at the same time the gap is increasing among the youth which is a matter of concern. The government is trying to find out ways and means to ensure Islamic sense and thought prevails and youth become closer to Islamic guidance and principles.
What is the people’s perception about the present president of Turkey?
The people of Turkey love and respect Erdogan. Those who love his party and him are more than 60 per cent. If we count people within the opposition who adore him then it will be around 80 per cent. And therefore he is powerful in the country and has great influence in other parts of the world.