Ahmet Abakay
Ahmet Abakay | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 3, 1950 Divriği, Sivas Province, Turkey |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, writer |
| Known for | Leadership of the Progressive Journalists' Association (Çağdaş Gazeteciler Cemiyeti) |
| Notable work | The Last Words of Hoşana, The Minister Counselors' Notepad |
Ahmet Abakay (born 3 April 1950) is a prominent Turkish journalist, writer, and the leader of the Progressive Journalists' Association (Çağdaş Gazeteciler Cemiyeti). Among his published works are The Last Words of Hoşana (Hoşana'nın Son Sözü) and The Minister Counselors' Notepad (Bakan Danışmanı'nın Not Defteri). His 2013 publication, The Last Words of Hoşana, discloses the Armenian heritage of his mother shortly before her passing, a revelation that sparked controversy within his family.
Life
Originating from Divriği, Sivas Province, Abakay completed his initial schooling in Erzincan and earned his degree from Ankara University. He contributed as a correspondent for several Turkish media outlets, including İsta Haber, Vatan, Anka, and Özgür Gündem.
Abakay was instrumental in establishing the Progressive Journalists' Association of Turkey on 23 February 1978, with Alaatin Orhan serving as the first chairman. He held the chairmanship between 1982 and 1989, during which time he grew the membership base to approximately 1,100 members nationwide. From 1992 until 2002, he acted as an advisor to the Minister of the Press. He returned to lead the association in 2005 and maintains this position.
As an outspoken advocate for press freedom in Turkey, Abakay has highlighted the difficulties faced by journalists who do not support the government, noting their precarious existence and the climate of intimidation they endure.
He is married and has one daughter.
Revelations about his mother
In his 2013 book, The Last Words of Hoşana (Turkish: Hoşana'nın Son Sözü), Ahmet Abakay uncovers that his mother revealed her Armenian background just weeks prior to her death after concealing it for 82 years out of fear. She survived the Armenian genocide by being abandoned at the doorstep of an Alevi Turk. Following this disclosure, Abakay received warnings from relatives urging him to omit any mention of her Armenian roots, accompanied by threats accusing him of bringing shame upon the family.
Works
Notable books authored by Abakay include:
- Politik Göçmenler (Amaç Yayınları, 1988)
- Bu Oyuna Gelmeyin (Amaç Yayınları, 1990)
- The Minister Counselors' Notepad (Turkish: Bakan Danışmanı'nın Not Defteri) (İmge Kitabevi Yayınları, 2008)
- The Last Words of Hoşana (Turkish: Hoşana'nın Son Sözü) (2013)