14.03.2026 10:20
Following the passing of one of Turkey's leading historians, Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, discussions have resumed regarding his evaluations in a program about Fatih Sultan Mehmet. Ortaylı's remark in response to Ahmet Hakan's statement, "A typical Muslim portrait does not emerge," was noteworthy: "There is no work in the Muslim portrait we know because that is how a Muslim's portrait would be."
One of Turkey's most important historians, academic and author Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, has passed away. With his deep historical knowledge, sharp analyses, and powerful narrative, Ortaylı reached a wide audience, making significant contributions to the development of historical awareness not only in the academic world but also in various segments of society.
Over the years, Ortaylı left a significant mark on Turkey's intellectual life with the works he authored, the conferences he gave, and the television programs he participated in, often making headlines with his historical interpretations.
HE DESCRIBED FATIH SULTAN MEHMET LIKE THIS
In a program that Ortaylı participated in, his evaluations about Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the 7th Sultan of the Ottoman Empire and the conqueror of Istanbul, came back to the agenda after his passing. Responding to questions from Ahmet Hakan in the program, Ortaylı emphasized that Fatih Sultan Mehmet was not only a ruler but also a powerful intellectual.
Pointing out the multifaceted personality of Fatih Sultan Mehmet, Ortaylı stated, “Fatih Sultan Mehmet is a very great, very colorful intellectual of his time. I tell you this. There is no one as colorful as this even in the West.”
“HE WAS A PERSON OPEN TO THE WHOLE WORLD”
In response to Ahmet Hakan's question, “What were Fatih's characteristics?”, Ortaylı highlighted the sultan's multifaceted education and mastery of different languages.
Ortaylı explained that Fatih Sultan Mehmet could write in Arabic and French and could easily read Greek works. He also mentioned that the sultan read Homer's Iliad and the history of Alexander the Great. Noting that everyone knew Fatih spoke Italian, Ortaylı said he was also interested in art.
In response to Ahmet Hakan's comment about being “open to the West,” Ortaylı replied, “What West? He was open to the whole world. There is no such person in the West.”
Ortaylı stated that there are few intellectuals as multifaceted as Fatih Sultan Mehmet even in the West, mentioning that some names from the Renaissance period stood out only in specific fields. Emphasizing Fatih's multifaceted personality, Ortaylı continued with these striking words: “There is no interesting person like this today. Is there one in Turkey?”
“THIS IS HOW A MUSLIM'S PORTRAIT LOOKS”
The most striking part of the program occurred when Ahmet Hakan commented that “A typical Muslim portrait does not emerge” while describing the characteristics of Fatih Sultan Mehmet.
In response to these words, İlber Ortaylı stated, “No, there is no work in the Muslim portrait we know. This is how a Muslim's portrait looks.”