Bengali author pens Turkish president's biography

By Sorwar Alam and Sadik Kedir Abdu

ANAKRA (AA) - A 2014 speech by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inspired a Bengali author to pen a biography on the "charismatic" leader.

Hafijur Rahman, a Ph.D candidate at Ankara-based Gazi University, wrote Erdogan: The Changemaker in the Bangla language.

The first edition of the book published on Feb. 16 has already sold out, he says.

"The publisher told me queues of people formed outside book shops. They were so eager to buy the book," he said.

The book, divided into 12 chapters, covers Erdogan's early life, youth politics, Istanbul mayorship, life in prison, establishment of Justice and Development (AK) Party, term as prime minister and president, the July 15 coup attempt and his global outlook.

“Erdogan’s charismatic leadership, team work, hard work and passion led him to success,” Rahman said.

"If we study his politics, we can see he was successful because he could foresee and make changes to his policies accordingly. That is why I described him as a change maker."

He recalls Erdogan's speech in 2014 at a commemoration ceremony for Canakkale martyrs held in Ankara.

"At that time, I had a very little knowledge of the Turkish language, but I understood his speech. It inspired me. This was the true leader of the Muslim world. And I decided to write a book about him for the Bangla-speaking readers."

Rahman said Turkey was passing through a critical stage.

“Turkey has got so many external obstacles, including the civil war in Syria and soiled relations with the West.

“The West does not want Muslims to be strong even though Erdogan is viewed as the leader of Muslims in most of the Islamic countries. But I pray for a bright future for Turkey."

He added that the West had launched a smear campaign against Erdogan and Turkey, as it was disturbed by his popularity.

The author said he had never met Erdogan in person but looks forward to it.