Polemic about women in the Ottoman harem

President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's wife, Emine Erdo?an, recently participated in a meeting with the theme "Ottoman sultan's mothers who left their mark on history" and spoke afterward about the women living in the Ottoman harem. 

In this event in Ankara on Ottoman Sultans, the president's wife said, "Female members of the Ottoman dynasty and the harem have always been thought-provoking subjects? Orientalists, with their certain imaginary depictions, have created negative perceptions about Ottoman women." 

She also said, "As a matter of fact, when we review their writings, most of the time we come across women addicted to worldly pleasures and addicted to power and ambitions." 

On the other hand, she added, "The harem is more of a school for members of the Ottoman dynasty. It was an educational establishment to prepare women for life, and also for organizing charity activities." 

Wow. All hell broke loose when she said that. Social media was stirred up. Certain opposition publications went wild. They have left nothing unsaid to Emine Erdo?an on the subject. 

Well, what about famous historian ?lber Ortayl?, the person who social media and the opposition publications always cherish? He also speaks about the Ottoman harem in a way very similar to Emine Erdo?an, doesn't he? 

Actually, Prof. Ortayl? makes even more passionate statements on the subject. 

One of the most important authorities on this subject, look what he has said about the harem: "A woman in the harem is not in a team relaxing, enjoying and passing the time. Most of them read, write well and excel in clerical jobs. The harem women, during the 1950s, were civil servants of Topkap? Palace. 

"In all ancient civilizations there is an...