“Zelensky urges ethnic minorities, indigenous peoples in Russia to fight mobilization”

https://www.jpost.com/international/article-718601

I was unable to embed the link, but this link includes an interesting article where President Zelensky argues that minorities in Russia should not have to take part in the Russian war effort. In one of his appeals, he cites the words of Imam Shamil, a famous leader of the Naqshbandi Sufi order in the Caucasus during the 1800s. Imam Shamil said, “Anyone who raises a weapon against the truth raises it to his own destruction.” In this light, Russia is fighting truth and therefore destroying itself. It is interesting to see the Ukrainian President use Imam Shamil as a persuasive speaker because of his religious ties to Muslims in Russia, but also because of the tremendous importance he has to regions like Dagestan. Zelensky shows that Shamil’s words are still influential to this day as a political tool in addition to being a religious one.

This article focuses on the Mongol’s control of Russia. This work discusses the blood ties and political connections involved in the creation of The Horde while discussing a book entitled The Horde by Marie Favreau. The article provides information regarding the book going into detail about the split of The Horde into the Blue Horde and the White Horde. The work also discusses the relationship between the Mongols and the Russians, with some people believing this relationship still has an impact today. This work is remarkably interesting as it reexamines the impact and benefits of the Mongols on the Russians, concluding that the Mongols benefited the Russians. This article provides interesting perspectives on a recent book, a book so impactful in understanding the Mongols, Russia, and the relationship between them. 

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/13/the-horde-sheds-new-light-on-the-history-of-the-mongols-and-russia-a80798

Attributed to the Ahmad al-Buni, the Shams al-Ma’arif is considered one of the most dangerous books in the world by some and to others instructions of divine purity. Giving an overview of the history and contents of the grimoire, the host of the Let’s Talk Religion YouTube channel delves into the mysteries of the Islamicate occult sciences and the perceptions thereof. While only one example of the plethora of videos available, the channel features a range of videos on religion and adjacent topics while retaining a specialty on Islamic history and theology. Each video also provides a bibliography and recommended readings pertaining to the discussed topic in the description.

This is a saber in the Arms and Armor section of the MET Museum. It has a gold-inlaid decoration consisting of Qur’an inscriptions that stress God’s sovereignty and the wisdom/power of Solomon (alluding to Suleiman). The cross guard was chiseled in relief and damascened in gold, formerly inlaid with gems. The grip was replaced at a later date. Bequested to the museum in 1935.

Saber
Steel, gold, green-dyed fish skin (grip)

Theorized to come from Constantinople in 1522-26

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24320

The short sword above the saber is a yatagan, used by janissaries through the 19th century. This one, dated to 1526-27 and made by the jeweler Ahmed Tekel, closely resembles a similar one found in Topkapı Palace and both may have been made in the same workshop for Suleiman. The incrustation near the grip depicts a dragon fighting a phoenix, likely inspired by Chinese art discovered via Persian contacts.

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24953

Various pieces of Ak-Koyunlu Armor and a field ensign that has Quranic verses and inscriptions, among them is “Help from God and early victory.”

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/22211

During class, there have been several mentions of earthquakes; surprisingly, this article discusses the architecture of the Ottomans in an attempt to successfully combat this issue. According to the work, Mimar Sinan was the architect involved in making the Ottoman buildings more durable during earthquakes. While working for Suleyman I, he used several groundbreaking techniques, such as Horasan mortar, absorbent materials, and rotating columns. In addition to the work he did on his building, such as Suleyman I the Magnificent Mosque, he would also improve the facilities around his to make sure there was little possibility that his structure could become damaged. Surprisingly, his techniques were ahead of his time and extremely important in shaping the Ottomans, especially in Istanbul. Without Mimar Sinan, there is a high possibility that Ottoman architecture would be quite different.

https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/explained-how-did-the-ottoman-architect-make-earthquake-resistant-structures-597180.html

From the Neolithic to the latter years of the 20th century, the bow and arrow has always held great importance amongst nomadic peoples. This was no different for the Turkic people of the 14th-17th centuries. Despite the increased use of field artillery, arquebuses, and muskets, the bow and arrow remained a crucial part of the Ottoman military machine, even featuring at the Siege of Vienna in 1683. They were much cheaper than firearms, easier to maintain, and provided much more rapid rates of fire. Arrows could also be used to create shrieking whistles when fired, which the Ottomans would use to terrify the steeds of their enemies and to send signals. This Video is an example of two Turkish-style whistling arrows.

https://www.dailysabah.com/arts/a-look-inside-restoration-of-byzantine-ottoman-era-yedikule-fortress/news

According to this article, the Yediküle Fortress has recently been undergoing restoration work and archeological excavation. Turkey seems to be making it more of a tourist destination by adding an observation terrace and making a removable reproduction of a neighborhood that once existed within the structure. It also seems that watching the restoration process is expected to be part of the draw for tourists. The dungeons still have carved inscriptions from prisoners and apparently there is a well in which heads were thrown after executions. It will be interesting to see what they find during this restoration and excavation process in the coming years.

https://www.ft.com/content/9e06e8e0-4e41-4b70-80c2-b689c633aaa4

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https://www.ft.com/content/9e06e8e0-4e41-4b70-80c2-b689c633aaa4

A hundred years ago, the Ottoman Empire slipped into the mists of history. A mighty realm that had survived for centuries and straddled three continents had reached the end of the road, ceasing to exist on 1 November 1922. Its death had been long, slow and painful.

The influence of the empire on modern Turkey is one of the themes highlighted in the article.

Despite being a nomadic empire, the Akkoyunlu also built massive funerary complexes, similar to the Timurids. The most famous of these is the Uzun Hasan mosque in Tabriz, Iran. The mosque is massive and has similar tilework that the Timurids were known for, with most of it being colored a bright teal. The dome shapes also parallel typical Timurid architecture. The similarity is likely because Timur forced Persian architects and tile-workers to Samarqand to design mosques and tombs for him. The Akkoyunlu, which primarily in Iran, would have probably worked with architects who still continued to use this architectural style and learned about tilework from the artists Timur commissioned.