Prof. Dr. Genç wrote ‘The Poet at the Lectern: Mehmet Akif’

A 723-page book titled ‘The Poet on the Podium: Mehmet Akif’, written by Prof. Dr. İlhan Genç, Deputy Rector of Düzce University, has been published. Genç, who defines Mehmet Akif as the ideal person of his generation, extensively portrays Mehmet Akif Ersoy’s biography, literary and intellectual personality in a scientific manner in his book.
In the book where Mehmet Akif’s biography along with his literary and intellectual personality is comprehensively addressed, Mehmet Akif’s famous book ‘Safahat’ is analyzed contextually for the reader’s understanding and interpretation. The book also provides answers to those who accuse Mehmet Akif of being reactionary, apostate, modernist, positivist, Abduh-ist, reformist, and anti-Abdülhamit, shedding light on the subjects.
The opportunity to reinterpret the poet and thinker Mehmet Akif and Safahat more profoundly and objectively emerged with this book. The process of being assigned by the Turkish Grand National Assembly to write the Turkish translation of the Quran and the fate of the translation are also elucidated with information and documents.
Prof. Dr. İlhan Genç describes Mehmet Akif as follows: ‘The time came when, between 1912-1914, in the Süleymaniye and Fatih pulpits, he emphasized unity, solidarity, science, civilization, overcoming backwardness, and working for the non-collapse of the Ottoman Empire the most. He pointed to Japan’s development as an example, and did not give in the slightest to division. The time came when, to revive his nation, he narrated the heroism of Asım’s generation with his words, ‘What is this throat war? Is there any equal in the world?’, through the Çanakkale Epic.
‘When everything was occupied with the 1918 Armistice of Mudros, some intellectuals suggested mandate as a solution to the people. He, however, without any hesitation, went to Balıkesir, fearlessly climbed the pulpit at Zağanos Pasha Mosque. He ignited the flame of the National Struggle with excitement. The people needed to be roused, and when he received a call to come to Ankara in 1920 from Mustafa Kemal Pasha, he did not hesitate and went to Ankara, climbing the pulpit at Hacı Bayram Mosque this time. When sent to Kastamonu as a deputy of the Grand National Assembly, he climbed the pulpit of Nasrullah Mosque and narrated the strategy of Sevres to the people.’
‘He did not hesitate to send the ideal hero Asım -who he said ‘Asım’s generation’ would not compromise its honor- to Berlin as a model in the civilization project. The nation left headless by the Armistice rose up, and its stance against imperialism was proclaimed with the National Anthem on the Grand National Assembly pulpit.’ Genç drew attention to his significance with these words. Therefore, Mehmet Akif humbly implied in his verses from Safahat, ‘Read, if you need a sensitive heart; read, for I wrote it, if I wrote two words,’ emphasizing the reading of Safahat.
All these processes, detailed with humility, are included in the book.