Dönmeh

Dönmeh is a term used to describe a group of people who were once part of a religious movement called Sabbateanism. The Sabbateans believed that Shabbatai Tzvi, a 17th-century Jewish leader, was the Messiah. However, when Tzvi converted to Islam in 1666, many of his followers were confused and distraught. Some continued to follow him while others abandoned the movement.

The followers who continued to follow Tzvi after his conversion to Islam are known as Dönmeh. They embraced Islam but also retained some of their old beliefs and practices. They kept their Jewish surnames and continued to observe some Jewish rituals, such as circumcision.

The Dönmeh were concentrated in the Ottoman Empire, particularly in Salonica (now Thessaloniki, Greece), where they established a community. They played a prominent role in the Ottoman government and were prominent in the fields of finance, trade, and politics.

However, the Dönmeh were also subject to discrimination and persecution, particularly during the rise of Turkish nationalism in the early 20th century. Today, the Dönmeh are a largely forgotten group, though some members of the community still exist in Turkey and other parts of the world.