Sufi Sheikh
Mehmed Zahid Kotku
Mehmed Zahid Kotku was born in 1897 in Bursa, Turkey, into a family of Circassian heritage. He became one of the most influential Sufi scholars of the 20th century in Turkey. After completing his religious education, he joined the Gümüşhanevi Sufi order in Istanbul and received his spiritual training under Sheikh Ömer Ziyâeddin. In 1958, he became the imam of the İskenderpaşa Mosque in Istanbul, where he guided many students — among them Mahmud Esad Coşan. Kotku focused on reviving Islamic spirituality in modern life, encouraging ethical living, education, and community service. He passed away in 1980, but his teachings continue to shape religious thought in Turkey and beyond.