Mehmed Akif Paşa
Profile summary
Highlights
Born in 1822 in Kalkandelen, Mehmed Akif Paşa belonged to the Receb Paşa lineage, one of Albania’s well-established families. After his father Velî Bey was martyred in the Morea incident, he was raised under the protection of his uncle Ali Hıfzî Paşa, Governor of Skopje.
Mehmed Akif Paşa came to Istanbul in 1848-1849 and began government service in the Sadâret Mektûbî Kalemi. He rose quickly; after serving as governor of the Skopje sanjak, he held governorships in many provinces, including Bosnia, Salonica, Ioannina, Edirne, Baghdad, Konya and the Cezâir-i Bahr-i Sefîd.
Mehmed Akif Paşa served as Minister of Justice during the reign of Sultan Abdülaziz and was appointed twice as President of the Şûrâ-yı Devlet during the reign of Sultan Abdülhamid II. His inscription describes him as a “powerful münşi whose knowledge and merit were accepted,” reflecting not only his statesmanship but also his standing in literary and bureaucratic writing circles.
Most of the works of Mehmed Akif Paşa, who wrote poems in Turkish, Arabic and Persian, were lost in a fire during his governorship of Konya. His inscription also recalls his service and courage during the great disturbances in Edirne.
Mehmed Akif Paşa’s son Mustafa Sâlih Reşid Paşa was also known as Reşid Âkif Paşa and held posts such as Governor of Sivas, member of the Chamber of Notables and President of the Şûrâ-yı Devlet.
Mehmed Akif Paşa died in Istanbul on 29 Jumada al-Akhir 1311 (8 January 1894) and, like his esteemed wife Hatice Hanımefendi who had died three years before him, was buried in the Fatih Mosque Cemetery. His son Reşid Âkif Paşa, also remembered for his poetic and witty character, was later buried beside his father in the cemetery of the Fatih Tomb.
Epitaph
This is the resting place of the late famous vizier Mehmed Akif Paşa, deeply devoted to Hazrat Ali and his family. He belonged to the line of Koca Receb Paşa of Ohrid, one of the leading Albanian dynasties, was related to the İpek family, and was among the commanders whose father was martyred in the Morea events. He served several times as governor in Kosovo, Ioannina, Salonica, Bosnia, Edirne, Baghdad, Konya and the Mediterranean islands; once as Minister of Justice and twice as President of the Council of State, leaving his mark in these offices. He was an example of knowledge, refinement and spiritual insight, peerless in learning and virtue and famous for generosity. Above all, his services and self-sacrificing courage in the "Great Edirne Incident" will never be forgotten. He was a most capable, intelligent, smiling, gracious, pious and charitable vizier. His loss was truly a great loss. May Allah’s mercy be abundant upon him.
This is the grave of Mehmed Akif Paşa, whose superior knowledge, virtue, justice and generosity were acknowledged by all. For the sake of Allah, Fatiha.
"All that is upon the earth shall perish." (Rahman 26) Written by the calligrapher Tevfik.
Those of spiritual understanding said of his date of death: "It is the speech of Truth."
This is the grave of Vizier Mehmed Akif Paşa, son of Hasan, son of Receb, son of Veliyyüddin, son of Receb Paşa. For the sake of Allah, Fatiha.
He was the sheikh of viziers and, in his age, the most perfect of men.
A man of heart, a man of loyalty, one who fought for and upheld his religion.
A Fatiha for his/her soul