HOW MEHMET AKIF'S CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN PERCEIVED THE NATIONAL POET

Abstract

The most trustworthy source to learn about the unofficial details of the life and personality of Mehmet Akif, the National Poet would be his family members. Akif's grandchildren Ferda and Selma Argon, who were named by Akif himself, have made interviews with the author Fatih Baytar, relaying their memories on Akif. The collection of these would of course be a way for us to understand the poet better and comprehend the spiritual dimension of the environment which gave birth to his work. Our study, first of all is going to focus on how Mehmet Akif Ersoy was seen through the eyes of his children and especially, his grandchildren. We are going to try to analyze what kind of a father, husband and grandfather he was. We are going to focus on what his family has conveyed regarding the matter of translating the Qur'an to Turkish, which added a new dimension to his relationship with Mustafa Kemal Pasha. In addition, the themes of family in his work and his understanding of raising children are going to be a focal point.