Mehmed Karakaşzade Osman Rüştü Efendi was a member of the Karakaş branch of the Salonika community, a prominent family of the time. He was reportedly the third child in the family. Like his older brothers Ali Macit Bey and Tevhidi Bey, Osman Rüştü followed in the footsteps of their father, Mehmed Karakaş, by engaging in the textile and clothing trade.

The family owned houses and shops in both Salonika and Istanbul. While their father, Mehmed Karakaş Bey, mostly preferred living in Salonika, his sons chose to reside in Istanbul. Notably, the grand Karakaş Store in Istanbul’s Sultanhamam, run by Ali Macit Bey and the late Tevhidi Bey (who passed away at a young age), and the Karakaş Mansion in Makriköy (now Bakırköy), were among the admired landmarks of the period.

Mehmed Karakaş Bey was one of the merchants supplying the Ottoman army with necessities like clothing, blankets, and socks. In recognition of his significant contributions and donations to the army, he was honored with medals and decorations. Beyond his military contributions, he earned admiration for his dedicated efforts toward modern education.

Mehmed Karakaş Bey played a vital role in advancing education in Salonika. He was a founding member of the five-person committee of Mekteb-i Terakki (Terakki Foundation Schools), one of the first Turkish schools providing Western-style education, established in 1877. He later contributed to the establishment of Feyz-i Sıbyan (Feyziye School – Işık High School) in 1885 and served as the head of its committee for five years. He also donated his house in the prestigious Yalılar district of Salonika to be used as a girls’ school (Feyziye Enas), ensuring that Turkish girls had access to modern education.

Osman Rüştü Bey graduated from Feyziye School as one of its first alumni. He completed his university education in Dresden, Germany, and lived in Berlin and Dresden until the end of World War I, operating clothing stores in both cities. However, due to the severe economic crisis in post-war Germany, he closed his businesses there and returned to Istanbul.

With the conclusion of the Turkish War of Independence and the establishment of the new Republic of Turkey, the Treaty of Lausanne mandated a population exchange. The Muslim and Turkish residents of Salonika were also required to migrate to Turkey. The beautiful city of Salonika, under Greek administration since 1912, had already become less hospitable for non-Christians and non-Greeks, and conditions grew increasingly difficult over time.

Osman Rüştü continued his life in Istanbul. Known for his irritable and hot-tempered nature, he was often at the center of family disputes, which became family lore. Following a heated disagreement and feeling wronged, he wrote his famous petition about the Donmes that made him infamous among the Salonika community.

Addressed to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, his petition, published on January 1, 1924, in Yenigün newspaper, owned by Yunus Nadi, ignited a major debate about Sabbatai Zevi and the Salonican community. The discussion spread to other newspapers. For example, Yakubi-origin journalist Ahmet Emin Yalman acknowledged the existence of such groups in his Vatan newspaper but argued that they no longer adhered to their traditions.

In his petition, Osman Rüştü accused the Donmes of behaving as “Muslims outwardly but Jews inwardly.” He urged the government to enforce assimilation policies, including intermarriage with Turks, to eliminate these old superstitions and align with the definition of citizenship outlined in the new Turkish Constitution.
His petition to the parliament and subsequent revelations sparked significant speculation about him as well. Some accused him of being a spy or a traitor to his community, while others praised him for his patriotism and sincerity. However, the root of the matter was simply the revenge of a man who felt wronged. Over time, his anger subsided, or perhaps the community appeased him, leading him to retract many of his claims.

Osman Rüştü married three times—twice to Salonicans and once outside the community—and had seven children and numerous grandchildren, who now live in various parts of the world, primarily Turkey.
Despite his fiery and tumultuous life, Osman Rüştü Karakaş was laid to rest in 1931 in Bülbülderesi Cemetery.

Author: Can Karakaş - One of his grandchildren