Sultanahmet demonstrations

The Sultanahmet demonstrations (Turkish: Sultanahmet Mitingleri) were a series of rallies in 1919 held in Istanbul to protest the occupation of the Ottoman Empire following the Armistice of Mudros, especially the occupation of Izmir by Greek forces after the First World War.

On 20 May and 22 May, demonstrations were held in Üsküdar and Kadıköy respectively, organized by the Association of Modern Women.

[1] Many important figures of the Ottoman Empire participated, such as Mehmet Emin Yurdakul, Halide Edib Adıvar, Hamdullah Suphi Tanrıöver, Rıza Nur, Selim Sırrı Tarcan, İsmayıl Hakkı Baltacıoğlu, Fahreddin Hayri Bey, Kemal Mithad, Şükûfe Nihal Başar, and Madam Jeannine (a French Lady), who all called resistance against the foreign invasion.

Halide Edip was a major speaker during the Sultanahmet demonstration on 23 May 1919, stating the following: Muslims!

[2][3]The demonstrations were symbolic for the national awakening for Turks to carry out the Turkish War of Independence.