The Relationship Between Aceh and Turkey

Aceh and Turkey had developed the relation since Samudera Pasai Kingdom era around 1267-1297, the relation is in the form of trade relation. Moreover, in 1564 the relation of Aceh Sultanate and Turkey Ottoman Empire was enhanced back. In this time, the relation which has been developed was not only trade relation but also covered politic and military relation.

At that moment, Aceh Sultaned which led by Sultanate Alauddin Al Qahar sent Sulatanate Messengers to Ottoman government Sulaiman I for Aceh Sultanate had already distressed by Portuguese Military that made expansion in Malacca Strait. In addition, Aceh Sultanate left a letter along with a number of Aceh great peppers as reward.

The messengers finally accepted by by Sultanate Selim II which was just inaugurated to replace his father Sulaiman I that was died in the way home from battlefield. But unfortunately, the reward from Aceh Sultanate was left only a handful of pepper. This happened because the meseengers were waiting for King Sulaiman to return from war for so long until they received the information that King Sulaiman had already died in the way home from battlefield.

Eventhough only a handful of pepper was given by the messengers of Aceh Sultanate, but since the same ideology between Turkey and Aceh Kingdom, Sultanate Utsmani Selim II decided to send military aid to Aceh which consisted a cannon named by Acehnese as “Lada Sicupak” (meaning: a handful of pepper).

Furthermore, the aid from Turkey continued by sending Turkey miltary troops and weapons experts to Aceh to help Aceh Sultanate to attack portuguese. In this case, Turkey Sultanate Utsmani did not ask Aceh any yearly tax which usually asked from each follower country as the tradition at that moment. This is a politic consideration which developed by Utsmani the Turkey Sultanate as politic gift to Aceh Sultanate in developing their supremacy in leading Islam in the Southeast of Asia.

A group of divisions sent by Turkey Sultanate not only for war against Portuguese, but they also made military foundation and train Acehnese and Aceh Military so that they can master tactic and war strategy well. Besides, they also educated Acehnese how to make cannons and warship that able to accomodate cannons into it.

In the end, the turkey divisions decided to live permanently in Aceh, so that there is a Turkey living place named Bitai Village in Aceh. In this village there is a funeral complex and also a mosque in the area. The name of Bitai itself was derived from Turkey military leader Ghazi bin Mustafa Ghazi which lastly called Teungku Syech Tuan Di Bitai. He was a closest friend of Sultanate Salahuddin and he was burried near to Salahuddin grave.

The relation between Aceh and Turkey produced glory to Aceh Sultanate. The knowledge of war and weaponry taught by Turkey government made Aceh Sultanate stronger and overcome Mallaca Strait. During Aceh Sultanate Iskandar Muda led Aceh Darussalam Kingdom, the power of Aceh extended to Malaysia.