Sent by Sultan Abdulaziz in 1862 to provide religious services to the Cape Malay Muslims in South Africa and successfully continuing this duty for 17 years, Erzurumlu Ebubekir Efendi was commemorated with the “Ebubekir Efendi Bridge in Turkey-South Africa Relations” program organized at Atatürk University on the 144th anniversary of his death.

The program hosted by Atatürk University and held at Prof. Dr. Kemal Bıyıkoğlu Hall was attended by Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi, Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality (EBB) Secretary General Zafer Aynalı, Erzurum Provincial Mufti Dr. Rüstem Can, EBB Cultural and Social Affairs Department Head Ergün Engin, Vice Rectors, deans, students and citizens.

Ebrahim Patel Shared the Life and Works of Ebubekir Efendi

Following the opening speech of Dr. Halim Gençoğlu, Research Assistant in African Studies at the University of Cape Town, who moderated and translated the event, Ebrahim Patel, former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa and also a Member of the National Assembly, shared the life and important works of Ebubekir Efendi with the participants.

Patel stated that his grandfather Ebubekir Efendi was sent by the Ottoman Empire in 1863 to provide religious guidance to the Muslim community in South Africa. Emphasizing that Ebubekir Efendi contributed to the education of young people with the schools he established in Cape Town, and that he especially introduced women to education, Patel also stated that his contributions to universal values such as social justice and human equality, and that this legacy is still reflected in social movements and politics in South Africa today.

Economic and Cultural Ties Extending from South Africa to Turkey

Patel underlined that economic relations between Turkey and South Africa should be strengthened, stating that the trade volume between the two countries has reached approximately 2 billion US dollars. Former Minister Patel, who stated that he believes that South Africa being the largest economy on the continent will enable Turkish companies to invest more here, emphasized that it is important for Turkey to share its economic power, experience and technology with South Africa, and expressed that they want to cooperate more with Turkey in the coming period.

In addition, Patel touched on the lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice regarding the genocide allegations in Palestine, stating that the Palestinian cause is a moral test for the world in the 21st century, and called on the world public to speak out against the policies implemented by Israel towards Palestine.

Rector Hacımüftüoğlu Announces African Studies Center

Atatürk University Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Hacımüftüoğlu, who expressed his satisfaction that Erzurum's roots extend to South Africa and that the relations between these two geographies, which have both historical and cultural ties, are being emphasized, said that they appreciated that the madrasah to be opened in Erzurum for hafiz to further strengthen their knowledge will be named after Ebubekir Efendi.

In this context, he stated that steps will be taken as soon as possible to establish an African Studies Center in order to strengthen ties with Africa, create common areas of study and collaborate more easily with leading universities in Africa. Rector Hacımüftüoğlu, who stated that efforts are ongoing for many African countries to be freed from the yoke of colonialism, to gain the right to live freely and to strengthen the established heart bridge, said: "The memories and works of Ebubekir Efendi are very valuable to us. As we get to know Ebubekir Efendi and his works, we understand and appreciate better with each passing day how much of a scholar and wise man he was. We will continue to do what is necessary for the introduction of such important figures, both themselves and the works they left behind. With these thoughts, I would like to thank those who contributed to the organization of the program."

Dar al Huffaz Madrasah will keep Ebubekir Efendi's name alive.

Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi emphasised that Ebubekir Efendi is a person who has left an indelible mark on the religious, cultural, and educational history of both Turkey and South Africa, and noted that it is a matter of pride that such an important scholar is from Erzurum and is remembered as an Erzurum native in the geography he travelled to. Governor Çiftçi underscored the significance of the event held at Atatürk University in remembering Ebubekir Efendi's legacy and fortifying the relationship between the two countries. He stated, "The memory of Ebubekir Efendi, who promoted universal values such as education, human rights, and cultural cooperation, is not only respected in Turkey but also globally and continues to have an influence today." We also took action to preserve the name of the great man in Erzurum by granting it to the Daru'l Huffaz madrasah. This institution will be operational to assist the hafiz in completing their hafiz and to assist those who have departed their hafiz.
 life of Ebubekir Efendi?
In order to reconcile religious and social disputes among Cape Malay Muslims during the Tanzimat period, the Ottoman administration sent Ebubekir Efendi to South Africa in 1862. In 1863, he arrived in Cape Town and provided religious and educational services for approximately 17 years. During this time, he established Turkish-Islamic institutions in the region, including females' schools. One of his significant cultural contributions to the region was the 'Beyanud'din' catechism, which he composed in Arabic script after learning Afrikaans. Not only was Ebubekir Efendi a scholar, but he was also a significant figure who, as a proponent of social justice, motivated social transformation through education. In 1880, he passed away in Cape Town, leaving behind a significant cultural legacy.
The delegation witnessed the inauguration of the Madrasah following the program.
The delegation attended the opening of the Ebubekir Efendi 'Daru'l-Huffaz' madrasah at Atatürk University following the program titled 'Ebubekir Efendi Bridge in Turkey-South Africa Relations'. This madrasah is intended to bolster the hifz of hafiz who have completed their hafiz but have neglected it due to the demands of life, as well as to offer hafiz candidates who have not yet completed their hafiz the opportunity to do so.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE - November 11, 2024