Islamabad - Turkish Embassy in Islamabad Wednesday hosted a reception to mark 100 years of defeat of British forces by Turkey at the historic battle of Gallipoli. Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Rashed Mahmood and Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed attended the reception. In his speech as guest of honour, Mushahid said that this Turkish victory was a source of tremendous strength for the Muslim freedom struggle in India. He lauded the leadership qualities of Mustafa Kamal Ataturk and said that the solidarity and support shown by Indian Muslims with Turkey then, remains the basis for today’s special relationship between the two countries.
Indian Muslims volunteered to fight or Turkey but also sent medical missions, funded for it and among those who were inspired by modern Turkey were the founding fathers of Pakistan including Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-i-Azam.
Senator Mushahid Hussain said that the Quaid-i-Azam was a great admirer of Ataturk and he considered him a role model for Muslims as not only a great Turkish leader but the Quaid-i-Azam considered Ataturk as ‘one of the greatest son of Islam and world figure, and saviour and maker of modern Turkey.’
Senator Mushahid Hussain, who is also Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League, also provided details about Pakistan’s support for oppressed Muslims starting with the freedom struggle of Algeria and Tunisia in the 1950s,
Pakistan’s participation in the October 1973 Arab-Israel war in support of Egypt and Syria, Pakistan’s support for Palestine, Afghanistan, Kibris and Pakistan’s distinction of being the first country to provide material and moral support to the freedom struggle of the Bosnian Muslims.
The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Rashad Mahmood also briefly spoke while Turkish Ambassador Babur Girgin impressed the audience with his comments in flawless Urdu. The simple but impressive function concluded with special prayers for the Shuhada of Turkey as well as the Indian Muslims who were martyred in the war.