Babam Şeyh Said

My Father Sheikh Said Short Summary

Unless lions write their own history, tales of the hunter will always glorify the hunter.
African Proverb

The work in your hand deals with the memoirs of Sheikh Ali Riza Efendi, who witnessed the events before and after the Sheikh Said Efendi Uprising, was present at every stage of the operation, played important roles, and was one of the political and military leaders of the Uprising. The book tells us about the dimensions of the political positions of the Kurds throughout history, how they were shaped sociologically, why and for what purpose the Sheikh Said Efendi Uprising took place. In addition, many dark sides such as which Kurdish tribes and which sheikhs were negligent or treacherous are brought to light. In addition, the work we have prepared examines the Iraqi Kurdish political movements and Iranian Kurdish political movements before and after 1925 as a whole, and reveals the political lives of important Kurdish figures such as Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji, Melle Mustafa Barzani, Simko, Sheikh Ahmed Barzani, Seyyid Abdulkadir, Seyyid Taha, Gibranli Khalit Beg, and Seyyid Riza with their rights and wrongs.

We are publishing this book with respect in memory of all such heroes who risked burning to ashes for an idea that emerged from its own fire.

Sheikh Ali Riza: If the Agas and Sheikhs had not attacked us, that would have been enough, if they had remained neutral, it would have been enough. If they had not sent the telegram, it would have been enough. Mustafa Kemal Pasha had called Bedri Bey and Mehmet Bey, and several deputies, and told them to go and resolve this issue through negotiations. Ali was the prime minister in the Conquest, and he also shared that idea.

Sheikh Ali Riza: It was not like this at that time. The Turkish Government had 15 thousand soldiers, Kazım Pasha Reisti, not a single soldier was left, all were captured. Then the French gave way, when the French gave way, they declared mobilization of 120 thousand soldiers. In Kars and here in Turkey, they did not declare mobilization for the locals.

Sheikh Ali Riza: With the abolition of the caliphate, the beliefs, customs and traditions of the Kurds were also abolished. All of the Kurds' relations with the government were based on Islam. The British had given the Turks a guarantee that if you abolish the caliphate and sever your relations with other Islamic countries, we will not allow it for up to 10 years, and no one can do anything against you.

Sheikh Ali Riza: It is better if our oil remains underground. I do not want it, it is of no use, it is bad, why should it come out? I pray all the time that it does not come out.

They sweep away all the people of that place and throw them out. They take everything from them. Other people come from outside and work there, but none of the Kurds can work.