OTTOMAN DYNASTY IN AMERICA / PRINCE CENGIZ NAZIM EFFENDI
leen (21) and Zekeriya (19) from his daughter Ayşe (51) who was born in Oklahoma, as well as a son Ziyaeddin (48), who was born in California, still works as director editor at the Cox Cable company. Ziyaeddin Effendi, who is the third Prince living in the USA after Osman Bayezıd Effendi and his father Cengiz Nazım Effendi, is married and has not got any children. Cengiz Nazım Effendi’s mother, Perizad Söylemezoğlu, who was born in 1918, still lives in Bebek, İstanbul. His mother got married to the famous journalist Mithat Perin after getting divorced from Mehmed Nazım Effendi. In addition, the famous composer Şehrazat is also the Prince’s cousin. He also has eight step grandchildren from his marriage to his wife Suzanne Shotwell Nazım. THE OTTOMANS BELONG TO TURKEY, NOT TURKEY TO THE OTTOMANS While talking about his emotions during his visit to Turkey after a long passage of years, he still gets excited and mentions his visit to Konya in 2013, with the invitation of then Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, to join the Şeb-i Arus ceremonies. Also, he was present in İstanbul, with the invitation of İstanbul’s Mayor Kadir Topbaş, to participate in the celebrations of the conquest of İstanbul. When we ask Cengiz Nazım Effendi, who emphasizes that his father was born in Dolmabahçe Palace but liked Beylerbeyi much more, about what he had thought when he saw traces of his grandfathers, he says, “It’s an amazing feeling. Perfect. There is nothing wrong with being proud of our ancestors. But whenever you think that ‘you’re above others’, that’s wrong. We should be humble.” With a smile, he also mentions a memory of visiting Dolmabahçe Palace with his daughter Ayşe, and says, “We first visited Dolmabahçe, then, another palace in Paris. When she saw the palace in Paris, Ayşe commented, ‘Our palace is more beautiful.’” He recollects that his father wanted to be buried in Turkey, and, when he is asked whether he himself has such a wish, he replies, “I feel myself belonging both here and to Turkey. I’m afraid, there is no way of burying a piece of me here, and the other in Turkey.” It will be dealt with when it happens. When asked about what his thoughts are on the problems in the Muslim regions around the world, his answer is, “We must first explain to the world what kind of people Muslims are. I think the media has a significant fault in the explanation and understanding of Islam. Whether
HIH Prince Cengiz Nazım with baby Kerem Ali Özyurt during his visit in New York. (Photo by Bilgin Şaşmaz, Anatolian Agency, New York)
they’re Muslim, Christian, or Jewish, the radicals cannot represent religions. Islam is a peaceful religion. What’s the first thing in the Kuran: ‘Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.’ What’s its meaning: In the name of God, Allah the forgiving and merciful. We must be merciful people, not killers.” Expressing that his father used to remind them that the most important thing in their life was the Turkish flag, and highlighting how they were raised in a family embracing the love of homeland and the flag, Cengiz Nazım Effendi adds, “Ottomans belong to Turkey. Not Turkey to the Ottomans.” Stating that he intends to write a book about his 75 year- long life, the Prince adds, “Starting from the first school I attended, I would like to write a book about the days in Egypt and being born at the beginning of WWII. I’ve already written one chapter. But I’m not sure whether I should write it chronologically or by flowing with my emotions. And, I’m thinking of titling the book ‘My Heart Belongs to America, but My Soul to Turkey.’”
CENGİZ NAZIM EFFENDİ FAMILY TREE Sultan Mehmed Resad V (1844-1918) & Kamures BaşkadınEffendi (1855-1921)
Mehmed Ziyaeddin (1873-1938) & Ünsiyar HanımEffendi (1887-1934)
Prince Mehmed Nazım Effendi (1910-1984) & Perizad Söylemezoğlu (1918-)
Prince Cengiz Nazım Effendi (1939) & Eileen (1946)
Ayşe Sultan (1964)
Prince Ziyaeddin Effendi (1966)
Prince Cengiz Nazım is married to Suzanne Shotwell Nazım.
16 • TurkofAmerica