Mehmet Akif Ersoy

Mehmet Akif Ersoy (1873-1936) was a Turkish poet who championed Islam as force against Western imperialism. He was best at depicting common people in everyday life. The Turkish national anthem is comprised of two stanzas of one of his poem.

Wisdom & Quotes

• Soldier, you have fallen for this earth

Your fathers may well lean down from heaven to
Kiss your brow.
You are great, for your blood saves the True Faith
...
If, as you lie swathed in blood under this chandelier,
If I could detain the moonlight by your side
To stay till dawn as guardian of your tomb
If I could charge your chandelier with morning light
And wrap the silken sunset about your wounds -
Still I could not say: 'I have done something for
Your memory ... .'
- For the Fallen at Gallipoli

Muhammad Iqbal