Sultan Abdülmecid I and His Humanitarian Aid to Ireland During the Great Famine

In the mid-nineteenth century, Ireland experienced one of the worst humanitarian disasters in its history, known as the Great Famine (1845–1849). This tragedy resulted from the failure of the potato crop, the staple food for the majority of the population, compounded by harsh economic policies and poor governance by the British authorities ruling the country at the time. The famine led to the deaths of more than one million people, while millions of others were forced to emigrate, leaving a deep and lasting scar on Irish collective memory.
Amid this catastrophe, a remarkable humanitarian stance emerged from outside Western Europe, embodied in the initiative of Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I. Upon learning of the extent of the suffering that the Irish people were enduring, he moved to offer assistance without political or religious considerations, reflecting the humanitarian dimension of the Ottoman state during that period.
The Sultan initially decided to donate £10,000 to support the victims, but the British government requested that the amount be reduced to £1,000 so as not to exceed the donation made by Queen Victoria. Despite this restriction, his initiative was not limited to financial aid alone; he also ordered the dispatch of three ships loaded with grain and food supplies to Ireland.
According to historical accounts, the Ottoman ships faced attempts to prevent them from docking at the port of Dublin, but they ultimately succeeded in reaching the port of Drogheda, where the aid was distributed to a population suffering from severe hunger. These supplies helped alleviate the suffering of the people and left a profound humanitarian impact on Ireland’s collective memory.
This initiative remains highly appreciated in Ireland to this day. Sultan Abdülmecid I is remembered with respect, and the Ottoman crescent and star continue to appear on the emblem of Drogheda’s football club, commemorating this rare humanitarian gesture.
The story of Sultan Abdülmecid I’s aid to Ireland stands as a powerful example of cross-border humanitarian solidarity. It affirms that ethical and human values can transcend political conflicts, occupation, and colonial dominance, reminding us that history is written not only through wars, but also through acts of conscience, compassion, and humanity.

Khaled Eibid