Hafız İbrahim Demiralay

Ibrahim Demiralay (born; Hafız İbrahim Efendi; 188329 March 1939) was a Turkish politician and military leader, known for his role in the Turkish War of Independence. He served as a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey from 1920 until his death in 1939, representing Isparta in five consecutive terms. While it is widely accepted that he took office in the first assembly in 1920 and died in 1939, some sources that he may have been elected from the second term to the sixth, covering the period from 1923 to 1943. However, he died before taking office. He also served as a member of the Court of First Instance.

With the onset of the Turkish National Movement, he became the leader of the movement in Isparta and the surrounding areas. He served as a member of the Bidayet Court (court of first instance) before focusing on his political and military career.

He also contributed to establishing the Isparta branch of the Defense of Rights Society, which helped organize local resistance and provided logistical support to its allies. His close coordination with the Representative Committee in Ankara further established his influence in the national movement.

Political career In the first elections of the newly formed Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) in 1920, Demiralay was elected as a deputy for Isparta in 1920, the first parliament.

When Greek forces initiated offensive on 22 June 1920, and began expanding their occupation, he delivered speeches in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, citing the role of national organizations in Isparta and its surrounding areas. As an active member of the assembly, he contributed to support the independence movement. After spending three months in Ankara, he was granted leave by the assembly to command the rebel organizations in the Isparta–Burdur region and to gather volunteers for the front. His leave was approved by both Mustafa Kemal Pasha and the minister of National Defense, Fevzi Pasha. On 13 July 1920, he departed Ankara with the militia forces assigned to him.

A second assassination attempt was orchestrated by Greek forces aiming to eliminate the resistance movement leaders. A Greek warplane attempted to bomb a mansion on Damgacı Street, but the bomb missed its target and fell in the Kaymakkapı cemetery. Demiralay noted in his memoirs that no casualties or damage resulted from the attack.

Death He died on 29 March 1939 in Ankara. Following his death, his body was transported by train to Isparta. On 31 March 1939, his body was taken from Kutlu Bey Mosque for burial. He was interred in the Gülcü Cemetery of Isparta.

Awards On 23 April 1925, The government of Turkey conferred the Medal of Independence with Red-Green Strip upon him in recognition of his contributions to the independence movement.