HomeGlobal News and Affairs

Sultan Abdülmecid’s Relief Efforts

Saudi Women to Work in Justice Ministry
Books on Women Empowerment in High Demand at Jeddah Fair
Catholics to provide burial spaces for Muslims

Did you know that Sultan Abdülmecid of the Ottoman Empire was so moved by the plight of Ireland’s famine in the 1840s that he donated £1,000 to relief efforts? Initially, he is said to have offered £10,000 (the equivalent today of around ‚¬1m) to help ease the suffering. However, Queen Victoria, upon learning of his generous charity, requested that he reduce his donation to a more modest £1,000, so as not to embarrass her own relatively meagre offering of £2,000. A letter written by Irish nobles (pictured) in the Ottoman archives explicitly thanks Sultan Abdülmecid for the help.

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0