The Ottomans and Abyssinia: Lasting Imprints and Extended Presence

A century has passed since the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate, which inscribed the most magnificent glories and shaped the contours of Islamic civilization in every land it encompassed. This included vast areas in the east of the African continent, where a number of countries in the Horn of Africa benefited from the arrival of Ottoman civilization, among them the ancient land of Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).

How Did the Relationship Begin?

According to Ethiopian researcher and academic Fatih Al-Bari Muhammad Nour, the arrival of the Ottomans in the east of the African continent was for the purpose of protection and support. This Ottoman expansion aimed to shield the region from European threats and ambitions, especially from Portugal, to reach the Indian Ocean.

Researcher Nour, who spoke to "Al-Mujtama" magazine, proudly recalled this deep history in the memory of Ethiopian Muslims. He believes that the Ottomans spared no effort or expense in defending Islam and Muslims after the Portuguese threat became imminent, extending from the Indian Ocean to the coasts of East Africa.

He stated that Europe at the time harbored the idea of controlling and reaching India, the source of spices and incense, via Vasco da Gama. He explained that the European project became a reality after they seized the coasts of East Africa and the Red Sea, followed by their repeated attacks on sailing ships and pilgrimage caravans.

He added, "But the Ottoman response was much faster than they expected. The Ottoman Empire extended its influence to protect the Islamic world, incorporating the Levant, Hijaz, and then Yemen, bringing them within a stone's throw of Abyssinia."

This is how the story of the arrival of Ottoman civilization to Abyssinia began. At that time, Abyssinia was divided into Christian kingdoms in the north and Islamic ones in the east and south. This gave Portugal influence when the Christians sought their help to eliminate Islam and Muslims, especially those Islamic city-states that were flourishing day by day, according to Nour.

He added that this Portuguese expansion, which supported Christianity in the region, also prompted the Ottomans to extend a helping hand to the Muslims of Abyssinia to defend themselves. This relationship solidified under the name of Habesha Eyalet, or the Province of Abyssinia, which was the fourth in the Red Sea region after Massawa in Eritrea, Zeila in Somalia, and Suakin in Sudan.

Nour continued that the first indirect aspect of this relationship was when the Ottoman-affiliated governor of Zabid provided military aid to Imam Ahmed ibn Ibrahim. This was followed two decades later by Sultan Suleiman, his son Osman, then Sultan Selim II, and then Sultan Murad III.

He emphasized that the Ottoman Empire did not view the east of the African continent with exploitation or greed for its resources, but rather focused its attention on assisting the countries located in that geographical area.

Impact of the Caliphate's Fall on Abyssinian Muslims

Undoubtedly, the fall of a state the size of the Ottoman Caliphate had an impact on the regions under its control, including Abyssinia, which is modern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian researcher touched upon the effect of the abolition of the Ottoman Caliphate on Ethiopian Muslims. He stated that the presence of the Ottoman Empire in Abyssinia had a positive impact on Ethiopian Muslims, especially since the Ottoman expansion aimed to protect and support them. He affirmed that Ethiopian Muslims were affected by the fall of the Ottoman Caliphate, losing much of the protection and support they had enjoyed. Conversely, and as a result of the Caliphate's abolition, the activities of missionary organizations among Muslims in Ethiopia increased.

Nour considered the role currently played by the Turkish government to be an extension of what the Ottoman Caliphate previously undertook.

Prominent Landmarks and Milestones

Among the most prominent ancient Turkish landmarks is the Ottoman Consulate, which still carries much historical depth between Turks and parts of eastern Ethiopia. He stated that Turkey pays special attention to eastern Ethiopia to highlight its old relationship with Ethiopia through the restoration of its antiquities, such as the Ottoman Consulate in the city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia.

He added that Turkey and Ethiopia enjoy deep historical relations, explaining that the first Turkish consulate in Ethiopian territory was established in 1912 during the Ottoman era, and the establishment date of the Turkish Embassy in Addis Ababa dates back to 1926, while the Ethiopian Embassy in Ankara was established in 1933.

The history of the Ottoman Consulate building, which consists of a library, museum, meeting room, cafeteria, and reception and lounge areas, dates back to the period between 1875 and 1885. Turkey opened its first consulate general, during the Ottoman era, in Harar in 1912.

Modern Turkey

He discussed the extension and renewal of Turkish relations with modern Ethiopia, stating that modern Turkish-Ethiopian diplomatic relations were renewed in 1896 between Emperor Menelik II and Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The latter opened the Ottoman Consulate in Harar in 1912, which still stands tall, narrating that deep-rooted relationship, before bilateral relations were elevated to embassy level in 1926. Ethiopia, meanwhile, opened its first embassy in Turkey in 1933.

He pointed out that during the reign of Lij Iyasu, who ruled between 1913-1916, Ethiopia had a close relationship with the Caliphate, as the King attended a Turkish mission dinner in Addis Ababa in 1915 to congratulate on the birth of the then Turkish Sultan. The King also allied with the Turks in World War I, and in 1931, Turkey participated in the coronation of Haile Selassie as Emperor of Ethiopia.

He reviewed the Turkish presence in Ethiopia in the field of education through Turkish schools. He fully funded government scholarships for Ethiopians in Turkish universities, alongside the role of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, and the Directorate of Religious Affairs in Turkey, which provides urgent aid to those affected and hosts scholars.