Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen marked the 190th anniversary of the establishment of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, highlighting its historical origins and early diplomatic legacy.
In a post on the social media platform X, the ambassador noted that the Ottoman Foreign Ministry was founded on March 11, 1836 by decree of Mahmud II, replacing the earlier office of the chief scribe. Akif Pasha was appointed as the first foreign minister.
Mutlu said Akif Pasha later traveled to the Hejaz in 1844 to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. On his return journey, he passed through Egypt, where he met the ruler Muhammad Ali Pasha, who warmly received him.
While preparing to board a ship in Alexandria, Akif Pasha fell ill and died shortly afterward on March 12, 1845. He was buried in Alexandria near the shrine of Prophet Daniel.
The Turkish ambassador described Akif Pasha as a diligent and energetic statesman who gained recognition in his era for his successful service in government.
He also noted that Akif Pasha was a poet whose literary works influenced later generations of writers, with some of his most notable poems including “The Ode to Nothingness” and an elegy written for his grandson.
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