The Enigmatic Legacy of Rabbi Sabbatai Zevi, the Dönme Movement, and the Secular Young Turks.

– Rabbi Sabbatai Zevi (Shabbethai)
– A 17th-century Jewish mystic
– Who claimed to be the Messiah
– Born in the Ottoman Empire
– His popularity grew tremendously
– Intermingled with European Kings
– Posed a threat to Ottomans
– The Sultan imprisoned him
– Was asked to convert to Islam or die
– He publicly converted to Islam
– His Jewish followers were distraught
– He was meant to bring Jews to Jerusalem
– Bring the Kingdom of David back
– His conversion was truly bizarre
– He continued to practice Kabbalah
– Publicly, he pretended to be Muslim
– Privately, he remained Jewish
– He observed Ramadan & the Sabbath
– His remaining followers did the same
– They were called Dönme
– A term with a negative connotation
– “Traitor convert” or “Fake convert”
– Muslims called them: Zanādiqa / Zindīqs
– Crypto Muslims
– Who wanted to destroy Islam
– Hated Islam but pretended to be Muslim
– He & his followers were exiled
– He died in exile
– Followers continued to be Crypto Jews
– Publicly Muslim, privately Kabbalists
– Dönme became rich & powerful
– Dönme still exist in Turkey
– Years later, “The Young Turks” formed
– A secular & anti-religious
– Nationalist movement
– Leaders of “The Young Turks” were Dönme
– Many of these same leaders were Zionist
– Mustafa Kemal Atatürk hated Islam
– Implemented secular reforms
– Attempted to abolish Islam from society
– Effort to erase Islam from hearts & minds

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi: