Hasan Paçaman’s “Bir Rumeli Vaizi” (A Rumelian Preacher) published as a landmark memoir of Western Thrace Muslim Turkish History
A new memoir and documentary-style work by Hasan Paçaman titled Bir Rumeli Vaizi has been published, offering readers a comprehensive account of the religious, cultural, and social history of the Muslim Turkish minority in Western Thrace.
Rather than following the structure of a conventional novel, the book brings together personal memories, articles, conference speeches, travel experiences, archival documents, photographs, and diary notes collected throughout Paçaman’s lifetime. The work stands out as both a memoir and a historical documentation project.
The six-part volume covers Paçaman’s life story, developments surrounding Medrese-i Hayriye, activities of preaching and guidance committees, his experiences in journalism, domestic and international travels, as well as pilgrimage journeys including Hajj and Umrah. The publication also features previously published and unpublished writings, magazine articles, speeches, letters, personal notes, and texts focused on religious and social themes.
The final section includes prayers, appendices, official documents, and an extensive photographic archive, further enhancing the work’s documentary value.
Observers note that “Bir Rumeli Vaizi” is particularly significant because it provides firsthand testimony regarding the recent history, religious life, and cultural memory of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority. Beyond being a personal life story, the publication is regarded as an important historical source reflecting the collective memory of an era.
The book was edited by Recep Paçaman and is expected to serve as a valuable reference for researchers and academic circles studying Western Thrace and Balkan Muslim communities.
High-Level Visits in Ankara
Following the publication of the book, Hasan Paçaman paid visits to two major institutions in Ankara to present his work.
His first stop was the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, where he met with institution president Abdülhadi Turus. Turus stated that Paçaman occupies an important place in the intellectual and spiritual tradition of Western Thrace and described “Bir Rumeli Vaizi” as a valuable work that would serve as an example for future generations.
Paçaman later met with Abdullah Eren, head of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, where he presented the newly published book. Eren later noted on social media that Paçaman’s more than 89-year-long life journey reflected a path of knowledge, wisdom, and service stretching from the villages of Western Thrace to different parts of the Islamic world.
According to Eren, “Bir Rumeli Vaizi” is not merely a memoir but also an important work preserving the spirit of an era and the historical memory of the Western Thrace Turkish minority.
The newly published volume is already being viewed as a significant reference source for those seeking to better understand the recent social and religious history of Western Thrace.
