Zülfü Tigrel

Mehmet Zülfü Tigrel (1877 – 29 October 1940) was an Ottoman and Turkish politician and bureaucrat. He served three terms as a deputy in the Ottoman parliament, representing Diyarbakır from 1912 to 1914. Following the establishment of the Turkish Republic, he served five consecutive terms as a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, representing Diyarbakır from 1920 to 1939. He was also a founding member of the Society for the Defense of National Rights of Eastern Provinces and held several positions, including advisor during the Lausanne Peace Conference.

Early life and education Tigrel was born in Diyarbakır in 1877 to Zülfüzade Ali Hâmid Bey and Nazire Hanım. He received his primary education at Diyarbakır İptidai School, followed by secondary education at Diyarbakır Military Secondary School. He completed his high school education at Diyarbakır Civil High School, where he graduated alongside Ziya Gökalp and Aziz Feyzi Pirinççizâde.

Before he was released, the people of Diyarbakır nominated him for the last session of the Ottoman parliament. On January 12, 1920, he was re-elected as a member of parliament representing Diyarbakır. He was released from Malta on October 25, 1921, and presented to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on November 15, 1921. In the assembly, he served on the interior, health, and Social Assistance Commissions, delivered eight speeches (four in closed sessions), and submitted four parliamentary questions.

Death Tigrel died on 29 October 1940. He is buried in Diyarbakır Mardinkapı Cemetery.

Awards

Tigrel was awarded the Medal of Independence with Red-Green Ribbon by the government of Turkey for his contributions to the Turkish War of Independence. Before the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, Tigrel was actively engaged in civil services under the Ottoman Empire where he contributed to administrative and judicial reforms. In 1900, while serving the Ottoman Empire, he was awarded the fourth-class Order of the Medjidie, followed by the second- and third-class rank promotions for his contributions to the empire.