The successful conclusion of the War of Independence resonated far beyond Anatolia—in lands thousands of kilometers away, under colonial rule, it awakened unexpected reverberations. In India, Pakistan, Bengal, Tunisia, and Afghanistan, poets wrote verses, leaders delivered speeches. Tracing these echoes is an intriguing way to understand the early twentieth century. Yet as some of these quotations circulate on social media, they are torn from context; certain figures' later statements are never mentioned. Here is the documented picture.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah: "The Greatest Muslim of the Modern Islamic World"
The words of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, are among the best documented of these quotations. Immediately after Atatürk's death, in November 1938, as head of the All-India Muslim League, he sent a circular to all branches of the organization requesting the organization of a "Kemal Day." In the circular, Atatürk was described as "one of Islam's greatest sons, a world figure, the savior and founder of modern Turkey." In a press interview, he stated: "He was the greatest Muslim of the modern Islamic world."
Muhammad Iqbal: Praise and Subsequent Criticism
The words of Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet of Pakistan, are also accurate. Iqbal wrote that Turkey had "stirred from dogmatic slumber" and "moved from ideal to reality"; in his view, Turkey was the only Muslim nation charting a course to create new values. These expressions come directly from Iqbal's pen.
However, nearly all compilations circulating on social media omit a crucial continuation: Iqbal, in subsequent years, began to grow uneasy with the pace of reforms in Turkey and the extent of Westernization. Particularly regarding the abolition of the caliphate and the scope of secularization, he expressed his concerns; he hoped this would be a temporary phase and that it could be reversed. In other words, Iqbal's view of Atatürk was not a simple admiration but a complex attitude that changed over time. To omit this is to quote a thinker in a way that betrays his own thought.
Kazi Nazrul Islam: Bengal's "Kemal Pasha" Poem
Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bengal, directly greeted the Turkish victory with a poem. This poem, titled "Kamal Pasha" (Kemal Pasha), was published in 1922 and appeared that same year in Agnibina, the poet's first collection. Addressing colonized Indian Muslims, Nazrul used Turkish resistance as a call to awakening. How this poem resonated with the nationalist sentiment in India has been recorded by historians of literature from that period.
Rabindranath Tagore: "An Asia in Revival"
Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore expressed his respect for Atatürk with the following statement: "Kemal gave us an example of an Asia in revival... he waged a struggle against the tyranny of superstition." Tagore interpreted Turkey's rise as a symbol of hope for all of Asia. This aligned with his vision of "Asia rediscovering its own heritage."
Nehru, Bourguiba, and King Amanullah
India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, imprisoned for his resistance to British rule, wrote in his Glimpses of World History—composed of letters to his daughter Indira—that he welcomed the advance of the Turkish army in 1922 with joy. For Nehru, Turkish victory was proof that Asia could stand against the West.
Habib Bourguiba, the founding leader of Tunisia, was openly inspired by Atatürk; his reforms in education, women's rights, and secularism led him to be called "Tunisia's Atatürk." King Amanullah Khan of Afghanistan modeled his own modernization program on Turkey and visited Turkey in 1928.
How Should These Quotations Be Read?
This picture is compelling; but to read it soundly, several points must be noted. First, most of these figures evaluated Atatürk in terms of their own struggles: for them, the victory of an Asian nation against colonialism was proof of their own hopes for independence. Second, these same figures could criticize certain aspects of Turkey's reforms—as in Iqbal's case. Third, the source of some quotations circulating on social media is unclear; the risk of misattribution is high, particularly in short and striking phrases.
Therefore, the most correct approach is to read these statements not as a "list of admirers" but as documentation of how anti-colonial movements in the early twentieth century nourished one another. Turkey's position at that time truly became a reference point for independence movements in Asia and Africa.
For Turkish traces in other parts of the world, see our Turkish Traces in the World category and our interactive map.
Why Did It Resonate So Widely?
The reason behind this widespread interest was the political atmosphere of the era. In the early twentieth century, much of Asia and Africa was under European colonial rule. India was under British administration, North Africa under French control, the Middle East divided among mandate regimes. In this landscape, an Asian nation resisting occupation and achieving independence was a symbolic turning point for colonized peoples.
Turkish victory carried the message that "the West is not invincible." Indian newspapers followed the events closely, Bengali poets wrote verses, North African intellectuals debated. So the issue was not merely personal admiration for Atatürk; it was a quest for hope regarding their own futures. Indeed, many of these figures went on to lead their own nations' independence struggles in subsequent years.
Modernization programs attracted similar interest. Reforms in education, women's participation in public life, renewal of the legal system—these were debated in countries facing similar challenges. Some adopted this model, others thought it unsuitable for their own social fabric. Bourguiba's reforms in Tunisia exemplify the first group; Iqbal's later reservations exemplify the second.
This is why, when reading these quotations, one must consider the period and position of the speakers. It is entirely natural that a leader of an independence movement and a religious philosopher might view the same event from different angles. The fascinating part of history lies precisely in this: the same occurrence can acquire vastly different meanings in different geographies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jinnah's statement about Atatürk authentic?
Yes. The November 1938 "Kemal Day" circular and the phrase "the greatest Muslim of the modern Islamic world" from a press interview are on record.
Did Muhammad Iqbal always praise Atatürk?
No. Initially he strongly praised Turkey's awakening, but later expressed concerns about the pace of reforms and the extent of secularization.
Which poem did Nazrul Islam write?
The poem titled "Kamal Pasha" (Kemal Pasha) was published in 1922 and appeared in his book Agnibina.
Note: Misattribution is common in such quotation compilations. The statements in this article are grounded in verifiable sources, and unverifiable claims have been excluded.
