Ahi Evran

Sheikh Nasiruddin Abul Hakayik Pir Mahmud bin Ahmed Ahi Evran bin Abbas Veli al-Khoyi, commonly known as Ahi Evran, was a Turkic Alevi Sufi saint, preacher, philosopher, and poet who authored 20 books. He is primarily recognized as the founder and leader of the Ahi Brotherhood, a significant organization that influenced trade and craftsmanship. Born in Khoy, in Iranian Azerbaijan, in 1169, he later relocated to Kayseri, Turkey. There, he established the Ahi guild and organized artisans from 32 distinct professions. Ahi Evran's leadership extended beyond trade; he organized the Ahis into a formidable force to resist the invading Mongol armies. He was also a Bektashi preacher who traveled to Trabzon to spread Islam. His education included studies with teachers in Baghdad and Khorasan. Ahi Evran met his end at the hands of the Mongols in Kırşehir on April 1, 1261. While his burial site is debated, it is thought to be near Trabzon, a location considered sacred and a site of pilgrimage. His legacy includes an insect species named in his honor, an annual festival in Kırşehir, and a museum in Kayseri dedicated to his influence on traders and craftsmen.