Preservation of the National Identity of Kazakhs in Turkey: The Role and Legacy of Khalifa Altai

Abstract

In the mid-20th century, migration from East Turkestan laid the foundation for the formation of the Kazakh diaspora in Turkey. This community faced numerous challenges in preserving its national identity. This article examines the role of Khalifa Altai in maintaining the national identity of the Kazakh diaspora in Turkey. His religious and educational activities became one of the most important pillars of spiritual revival and national unity, not only among Kazakhs in Turkey but also in the Kazakh world as a whole. His legacy and written works were aimed at preserving Kazakh culture, language, and traditions. This study aims to provide a detailed analysis of Khalifa Altai’s role in preserving the national unity of Kazakhs in Turkey. The article examines his political and leadership activities, analyzes the significance of his works and their contribution to the development and preservation of the national consciousness of Kazakhs in Turkey, and highlights their importance for future generations. In the mid-20th century, Kazakhs who migrated from China to Turkey faced the challenge of adapting to a new environment while striving to preserve their national culture and traditions. During this period, Khalifa Altai’s religious and educational activities, his works in the Kazakh language, and his efforts to strengthen national consciousness played a decisive role in maintaining the ethnic unity of Kazakhs in Turkey. The article scientifically examines his creative legacy and political activities, as well as their influence on the transmission of Kazakh culture and traditions to future generations.