The Thinking Muslim The Last Great Caliph: Abdul Hamid II - with Dr Yakoob Ahmed
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Jul 11, 2025 Dr. Yakoob Ahmed, a historian specializing in the late Ottoman period, discusses the controversial legacy of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, the last great caliph. They explore his resistance to Zionism, his role in Ottoman unity, and the tensions between traditional leadership and modern pressures. Ahmed sheds light on Abdul Hamid's diplomatic strategies and fears amid empire fragmentation, highlighting the Hijaz railway project as a symbol of collective Muslim endeavor. Their conversation aims to reevaluate Hamid's complex vision for governance within the shifting tides of 19th-century politics.
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Muslim Leadership and Identity
- Muslims look to historical leaders like Sultan Abdul Hamid II to understand leadership qualities and civilizational identity.
- Abdul Hamid resonates today because he represents a time of leadership with accountability and religious responsibility.
Abdul Hamid's Handiwork Legacy
- Abdul Hamid II was an exceptional thinker, poet, and carpenter, known for crafting wooden columns in Yildiz Mosque himself.
- Each Ottoman sultan was expected to master some handiwork, highlighting Abdul Hamid's wide skill set beyond ruling.
Authority vs. Constitutionalism Debate
- Ottoman reform debates centered on authority vested in a single caliph versus a constitutional system with checks and balances.
- Abdul Hamid scrapped constitutional governance to maintain centralized authority to prevent ruin and preserve Islamic ethics.