Mim Kemâl Öke, born in Istanbul in 1955, is a writer who has made significant contributions to the academic and literary worlds. He has produced work in both academic and literary fields, authoring numerous books, articles, essays, and studies. Öke’s works contain analyses across a broad range of subjects and provide insights into many cultural, historical and social issues.

Educational Background

Mim Kemâl Öke began his academic journey in the field of international relations. Through education at prestigious institutions worldwide, he accumulated extensive expertise in his discipline. His educational history is as follows:

• 1979-2018: PhD, Istanbul University, Institute of Social Sciences, International Relations (Dr), Türkiye
• 1977-1978: MA, The University of Sussex, International Relations, United Kingdom
• 1973-1977: BA, University of Cambridge-Queen's College, Economics and History, United Kingdom

Öke’s thesis research primarily focuses on the final period of the Ottoman Empire, particularly the Palestine question, Ottoman-Armenian and Ottoman-Musul historical issues.

Academic Career and Works

Öke is particularly noted for his writings on Ottoman-Turkish foreign policy history, Palestine, Armenia, Mosul and the Caliphate issues. Throughout his academic career, he has prioritized research and provided prominent analyses in his publications. Öke’s works are regarded as reference sources in their respective fields. Some of his key academic publications include:

1. The Question of the Observance of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 in Gaza and the West Including Jerusalem Occupied by Israel in June 1967 (United Nations, New York, 1979)
2. Filistin Sorunu (Istanbul: Ufuk, 2002)
3. İngiliz Casusu Prof. Arminius Vambery'nin Gizli Raporlarında II. Abdülhamid ve Dönemi (Istanbul, 1983) – Expanded 2nd Edition: Vambery: Belgelerle Bir Devletlerarası Casusun Yaşam Öyküsü (Istanbul, 1985)
4. The Armenian Question (Oxford, 1988)
5. Musul Meselesi Kronolojisi 1918-1926 (Istanbul, 1987) – Expanded and Revised 5th Edition (Istanbul: İrfan, 2003)
6. Hilafet Hareketleri 1919-1926; Güney Asya Müslümanlarının İstiklal Davası ve Türk Milli Mücadelesi (Ministry of Culture, Ankara, 1988)
7. Küresel Ekonomi Politik ve Türkiye (Istanbul: Timaş, 2002)
8. Din - Ordu Gerilimi: Küresel Toplumda Dışlanan Demokrasi (Istanbul: Alfa, 2002)

Öke has also contributed to numerous different journals and periodicals, analyzing events that have shaped world history.

Presidential Advisory Period

Mim Kemâl Öke’s most notable roles included serving as an advisor to Turkish presidents such as Turgut Özal and Süleyman Demirel, providing strategic analyses and policy recommendations. During this period, he presented prominent analyses on Türkiye’s domestic and foreign policies and developed recommendations on critical national issues.

Working with Turgut Özal

During Turgut Özal’s presidency, Öke advised on critical areas such as economic reforms, strengthening Türkiye’s position in foreign policy and the democratization process. Öke offered analyses particularly focused on Türkiye’s global economic relations and developments in the Middle East, and developed strategies to enhance Türkiye’s international influence.

Mim Kemal Öke and Turgut Özal

Working with Süleyman Demirel

During Süleyman Demirel’s presidency, Öke also served as an advisor, particularly on foreign policy and internal security matters. He contributed to Demirel’s governance approach, proposed solutions to regional crises and developed strategies to defend Türkiye’s national interests.

The Mim Kemal Öke Family and Süleyman Demirel

Literary Career

Öke is also a prolific writer in the literary field. His novels draw attention for their exploration of social and individual conflicts. His works integrate analyses of the human inner world with social dynamics. Öke’s novels simultaneously address historical events while highlighting individual dramas and societal tensions. His novels include:

1. Günbatımı (Istanbul, 1991) – 720 pages, portraying human inner conflicts through a historical perspective.
2. Kızılelma: Sürgündeki Sevda (Istanbul, 1993) – Focuses on the dramatic experiences of individuals driven by love and ideals.
3. Yaşanmamış Anılar (Istanbul, 1993) – Offers a perspective on the fragility of human memory.
4. Biat – Examines the dilemma between social pressure and individual freedom.
5. Engel: Bir Emir Timur Hikâyesi – Analyzes power and authority relationships through the life of the historical figure Emir Timur.

Additionally, Öke wrote the screenplay for the television series Duvardaki Kan, which was broadcast on TRT 1 in 1986.

Lesser Known Aspects

The lesser known aspects of Mim Kemâl Öke’s personal life reflect his intellectual and cultural accumulation. Öke is recognized not only as an academic but also as a person deeply engaged with music and culture. These dimensions have broadened his interest in human and social sciences. Music and literature hold significant places in his life.

Connection to Music and Sufism

Öke viewed music and Sufism as essential components of his personal development. He has shown notable interest in Turkish classical music and Sufism, writing numerous books and articles on these subjects. In his work Aşkla Dans: Türkler, Tasavvuf ve Musiki, he examined the impact of Turkish Sufism and music on the human soul, discussing the spiritual meaning of music and dance.

Connection to Art

Öke, who has a strong interest in art, also shows appreciation for painting and sculpture. He believes that art is a powerful tool for understanding the depths of the human soul and the histories of societies, a perspective he has integrated into his writings.

Hobbies

Mim Kemâl Öke’s hobbies are diverse and offer deeper insight into his personality.

• Nature Walks and Travel: Öke is someone who enjoys spending time immersed in nature. He finds mental relaxation through nature walks and takes great pleasure in discovering new places. Travel provides him with opportunities to observe different cultures and gain new perspectives on human nature.
• Reading and Research: One of his greatest hobbies is reading. He derives intellectual satisfaction from reading both academic and literary works, and continues to focus on history, philosophy and social sciences.
• Listening to Music: His primary hobby is listening to music, especially Sufi music. He is also interested in various other musical genres. Music is an essential tool for his mental and spiritual balance, a practice he frequently references in his writings as an expression of his desire to explore the depths of the human soul.
• Watching Films and Documentaries: Öke has an interest in cinema, particularly documentaries that address historical, social and cultural themes. Cinema offers him both entertainment and deeper insight into the topics he examines in his academic work.

Themes in His Works

In Öke’s works, themes such as religion, history, identity, memory, security and the human inner world come to the forefront. His studies on the religion-military tension have become an important reference for understanding Türkiye’s social structure. He has also drawn attention through his analyses of Turkish Sufi philosophy and music. In his writings on identity, personality and the soul, Öke has examined mystical experiences in Latin American and African societies, striving to understand how different cultures perceive humanity.

Family

Mim Kemâl Öke married Neval Ertosun in 1980 and had two children: his son Alihan and daughter Şemsimi (Nazlım). He is also the grandfather of his grandson Demirhan Kemâl, born in 2009. Family has held an important place in Öke’s life, and the feelings associated with fatherhood and grandfatherhood are clearly reflected in his works. The responsibilities he embraced as a father and grandfather have also shaped his personal life.

Family Photograph of Mim Kemal Öke

Awards

Öke’s contributions to academic and literary fields have been recognized with numerous awards.

1. International Thought Award – For cultural and scientific contributions.
2. Turkic World Research Foundation Award – For his works on Central Asia.
3. Turkish Language Association Award – For his contributions to the Turkish language and linguistic research.
4. Outstanding Service Award – For his services to the Turkish people.
5. Ankara University Thought and Science Award – For his academic achievements.
6. Civilizations Dialogue Award – For contributions to strengthening peace and inter-civilizational relations in the global community.
7. International Sufism Research Award – For his in-depth studies on Sufi philosophy.

Works

Academic Books

• The Question of the Observance of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 in Gaza and the West Including Jerusalem Occupied by Israel in June 1967
• • United Nations, New York, 1979.
  • This report, written by Öke during his 1979 summer internship at the United Nations, was published anonymously.
• Filistin Sorunu
• • Istanbul: Ufuk, 2002.
  • Summary: Al Atrak wa Qadiyyatu Filistin: Abbara al-Tarıkh ila Yawmina haza, 1880-1980 (Ankara, 1987).
• İngiliz Casusu Prof. Arminius Vambery'nin Gizli Raporlarında II. Abdülhamid ve Dönemi
• • Istanbul, 1983.
  • Expanded 2nd Edition: Vambery: Belgelerle Bir Devletlerarası Casusun Yaşam Öyküsü (Istanbul, 1985).
  • 3rd Edition: Saraydaki Casus (Istanbul, 1991).
• (ed.) İngiliz Belgelerinde Lozan Barış Konferansı (1922-1923)
• • C.I Boğaziçi University Publications, 1983.
  • C.II (1984).
• Ermeni Sorunu
• • Istanbul / Expanded 6th Edition: İrfan, 2003.
  • The Armenian Question (Oxford, 1988).
• Musul Meselesi Kronolojisi 1918-1926
• • Istanbul, 1987.
  • 2nd Edition: Istanbul, 1991.
  • Supplements: Musul - Kürdistan Sorunu 1918-26 (Ankara, 1992).
  • Expanded and Revised 5th Edition: Musul - Kürdistan Sorunu 1918-26 (Istanbul: İrfan, 2003).
• Hilafet Hareketleri 1919-1926; Güney Asya Müslümanlarının İstiklal Davası ve Türk Milli Mücadelesi
• • Ministry of Culture (Ankara, 1988).
  • 2nd Edition: Diyanet Foundation, Ankara, 1991.
  • Expanded 3rd Edition: Aksoy Publications, Istanbul, 1999.
  • Tehrik-e Khalafat, 1919-1926 (Karachi, 1991).
  • The Khilafat Movement (Ankara, 1991).
• Unutulan Savaş'ın Kronolojisi: Kore, 1950-3
• • Istanbul, 1990.
  • 2nd Edition: 2000.
  • A Chronology of the "Forgotten War" Korea, 1950-3 (Istanbul, 1991).
  • 2nd Edition: 2000.
• (with Erol Mütercimler) Sultan Osman
• • Istanbul, 1991.
• (with Erol Mütercimler) Ertuğrul Fırkateyni Faciası ve Türk - Japon İlişkisinin Başlangıcı
• • Istanbul, 1991.
• (ed./contributor) Aile Politikaları: Karşılaştırmalı Ülkeler Panoraması
• • Ankara, 1991.
• (ed./contributor) Türklerde İnsani Değerler ve İnsan Hakları, 3 C
• • Istanbul, 1996.
• (under pseudonym Bülent Üstündağ) 47. Kromozom (Down Sendromu)
• • Istanbul, 1994.
• (with L. Karaman) Milli Mücadele Dönemi'nde Yemen - Türkiye İlişkileri: İmam Yahya - Mustafa Kemal Yazışmaları
• • Istanbul, 1997.
  • 2nd Edition: Istanbul: Ufuk, 2003.
• (ed./contributor) Geçiş Sürecinde Orta Asya Türk Cumhuriyetleri
• • Istanbul, 1999.
• (ed.); Medeniyetler Çatışmasından Diyaloğa
• • Istanbul, 1999.
• Yalnızlıktan Saygınlığa: Demokrat Parti'nin Dış Politikası
• • Istanbul, 2000.
  • 2nd Edition: Istanbul 2004.
• Küresel Toplum
• • Ankara: ASAM, 2001.
• Küresel Ekonomi Politik ve Türkiye
• • Istanbul: Timaş, 2002.
• (with R. Akın / E. Tirali); Çillerli Yıllar 1993-1997; DYP'nin Kimlik, Söylem ve Siyaseti
• • Istanbul, 2002.
• Din - Ordu Gerilimi: Küresel Toplumda Dışlanan Demokrasi
• • Istanbul: Alfa, 2002.
• Derviş ve Komutan: Özgürlük-Güvenlik Sarkacında Türkiye'nin Kimlik Sorunsalı
• • Istanbul: Alfa Yayınları, 2004.
  • Dervish and Commander: Turkey's Identity Question, 1983-2004 (New York: Nova, 2005).

Novels

1. Günbatımı, Istanbul, 1991. (720 pp)
2. Kızılelma: Sürgündeki Sevda, Istanbul, 1993.
3. Yaşanmamış Anılar, Istanbul, 1993.
4. Biat, Istanbul, 1996.
5. Engel: Bir Emir Timur Hikâyesi, Television series screenplay, 1998.
6. Duvardaki Kan, TRT 1, 1986.