List of Circassians

This is adynamic listand may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help byadding missing itemswithreliable sources.

This is an incompletelist of world-famous or notableCircassians,including both full Circassians and people of at least 50% Circassian descent. Figures who belong in two categories (i.e. a military officer who is also a politician) have only been placed in one of the categories. In previous usage, the term Circassian also included the Abkhazians.

Cultural

(* = Circassian descent only on paternal side)

(** = Circassian descent only on maternal side)

Cultural figures

• Tevfik Esenç– Last known fully competent speaker of theUbykhlanguage.

Historians and writers

• Hayriye-Melech Xhundj– One of the first woman Circassian writers
• Nâzım Hikmet**– Poet, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, director and memoirist.
• Amirkhan Kamizovich Shomakhov– lyrics, prose, and play writer, primarily known as one of the founders of the Kabardianchildren's literature
• Ahmed Shawqi– Egyptian poet-Laureate
• Fekry Pasha Abaza- Egyptian writer and political activist.
• Kuba Shaaban– writer, poet, musician and historian.
• Tharwat Abaza-Egyptian novelist and journalist.
• Betal Khabekhirov– Folk writer
• Hasan Cemal**– Turkish journalist, historian and writer
• Nadine Jolie Courtney– American journalist and author ofBeauty ConfidentialandAll-American Muslim Girl
• Mohydeen Izzat Quandour– Writer, intellectual, film producer and director, and musician
• Amjad Jaimoukha– One of the most influential Circassian writers and publicists
• Aziz Pasha Abaza- a significant figure in modern Arabic poetry.
• Costa Chekrezi(31 March 1892 – 10 January 1959), also known asConstantin Anastas Chekrezi(Albanian:Kostandin Çekrezi) was anAlbanianpatriot, historian, and publicist. He is Circassian by origin through his father’s family.
• Čerkez Ilija(Serbian Cyrillic:Черкез Илија, "Ilija the Circassian"; died April 1881) was a rebel leader active inKriva Palanka.He was a teacher by profession.

Military officers

Ancient

• Hekataios of Sindike– king of theSindiansthroughout the reign of bothSatyros IandLeukon I,rulers of theBosporan Kingdom.
• Oktamasades of Sindike– king of theSindians.He usurped the throne from his fathersome time in 383 BC after his failed war against Oktamasades's mother, Tirgatao.

1st–17th century

Kings of Circassia

• Inal the Great– Supreme Prince (King) ofCircassiafrom 1427 to 1453 who unified all Circassians (then divided into several princedoms) into one state.

Kings of Kabardia

• Idar of Kabardia– Supreme Prince of Kabardia. He was the son of Prince Inarmaz, and the grandson of Prince Tabula.Prince Inarmaz himself was the eldest of the three grandsons ofPrince Inal.His rule spanned over the period of 1525 to 1540.
• Temryuk of Kabardia– Supreme Prince of Kabardia. When Temryuk came to power, he put down the revolts of the disputing princes, and helpedCircassiabecome a military power within theNorth Caucasus.
• Kurgoqo Atajuq– Supreme Prince of Kabardia who won theBattle of Kanzhal.
• Jankhot Qushuq– Last Supreme Prince of Kabardia.

Safavid people

• Yusuf Agha–Safavidgholamandcourtierwho wielded great influence and power during the reign of kingAbbas I.
• Qazaq Khan Cherkes– Safavid military commander who also served as the governor ofShirvan(1624–1633) andAstarabad(1639–1640)
• Farhad Beg Cherkes– Safavid military commander
• Behbud Khan Cherkes– Safavid military commander
• Fereydun Khan Cherkes– Safavid military commander who served as the governor of Astarabad
• Najafqoli Khan Cherkes– Safavid military commander who served as the governor of Shirvan and Erivan

18th–19th century

Qerandiqo Berzeg

Russo-Circassian War participants

• Shuwpagwe Qalawebateqo– politician and military commander who served as the1st leaderof theCircassian Confederationfrom 1807 to 1827.
• Ismail Berzeg– military commander and politician who served as the 2nd leader of the Circassian Confederation from 1827 to 1839. He was also the princely leader of theUbykhtribe.
• Seferbiy Zaneqo– military commander and diplomat who served as the 5th leader of the Circassian Confederation from 1859 to 1860.
• Qerandiqo Berzeg– military commander who served as the 6th and last leader of the Circassian Confederation from 1860 to 1864. After theCircassian genocide,he was exiled to the Ottoman Empire, volunteered in the Ottoman army against Russia, and died there of old age.
• Kizbech Tughuzhuqo– military commander who took part in theRusso-Circassian War.Personally witnessing all of his family get killed by the Russian army,he received multiple offers from theRussian Empireto switch sides and join its Imperial ranks but he refused all offers and closed negotiations.
• Jembulat Boletoqo– military commander, politician, nobleman and leader of theTemirgoyregion.He was famous for his courage and tough will.He had great influence among all Circassians, including the Abadzekhs, with whom he was associated with.
• Qerzech Shirikhuqo– military commander and the leader of theNatukhajregion.
• Psheqo Akhedjaqo– politician, military commander and nobleman.
• Ale Khirtsizhiqo– military commander from theAbdzakhregion.

20th–21st century

Ethem Psheu

Ottoman military officers

• Çerkes Ethem– guerilla leader,social bandit,efeand soldier. Nicknamed the "Rankless General" by his supporters and crowned as the "National Hero" byMustafa Kemal Atatürk,he initially gained fame for establishing theKuva-yi Seyyareand putting down multiple great-scale rebellions and gaining key major victories against the Greek armies invadingAnatoliaduring theTurkish War of Independence.
• Yusuf Izzet Pasha– a general of the Ottoman Army and the Turkish Army.
• Suleyman Askeri Pasha– Ottoman soldier and co founder of theTeşkilât-ı Mahsusa(Special Organisation)
• Yakub Cemil– Ottoman revolutionary and soldier, who assassinatedNazım Pashaduring the1913 Ottoman coup d'état.
• Mufid Bey Libohova(1876 inLibohovë– 1927 inSarandë) was an Albanianeconomist,diplomatandpoliticianand one of the delegates at theAssembly of Vlorë(28 November 1912) where theAlbanian Declaration of Independencetook place. He served as the first Minister of Interior of Albania, during theProvisional Government of Albania.His mother Behixhe Hamza was aCircassianfromTuapse.He served as an Ottoman official before the independence of Albania.

Turkish military officers

• Cemil Cahit Toydemir– Officer of theOttoman Armyand a general of theTurkish Army.
• Ismail Hakkı Berkok– General ofMountainous Republic,Turkish and Ottoman armies

Egyptian military officers

• Salah Salem– an Egyptian Military officer and member in theEgyptian Revolutionary Command Council
• Gamal Salem– anEgyptian Air Forceofficer and political figure
• Hussein el-Shafei– an Egyptian Military officer and member in theEgyptian Revolutionary Command Council
• Zakaria Mohieddin– an Egyptian Military officer and member in theEgyptian Revolutionary Command Council
• General officerAziz Almasri– an Egyptian Military officer

Libyan military officers

• Umar Muhayshi– member of theLibyan Revolutionary Command Councilthat ruled Libya.

Syrian military officers

• Bassam Abdel Majeed– Syrian military officer, politician and diplomat.

Jordanian military officers

• Major GeneralIbrahim Pasha Othman Kashoqa – 1st commander of theRoyal Jordanian Air Force(1956–1962)
• Hero ofSamu IncidentLieutenant GeneralIhsan Pasha Shurdom −9th commander of theRoyal Jordanian Air Force(1983–1993), hisHawker HunterJet Fighter still presented in the entrance of the Martyr's Monument in Amman, Jordan
• Major General Awni Pasha Belal −10th commander of theRoyal Jordanian Air Force(1993–1994)
• Major General Hussein Pasha Ahmad Shodash Shapsoug – 16th commander of theRoyal Jordanian Air Force(2006–2010)
• Major General Mansour Pasha Hakouz Bgane – Shapsig – commander of southern region
• Major General Izzat Pasha Quandour −9th commander of the Jordanian public security directorate (1969–1970)
• Lieutenant GeneralAnwar Pasha Mohammed −12th commander of the Jordanian public security directorate (1971–1976)
• Major General Mamoun Pasha Khalil Ha'opsh −14th commander of the Jordanian public security directorate (1979–1981)
• Lieutenant General Mohammad Pasha Idris Dodokh −15th commander of the Jordanian public security directorate (1981–1984)
• Lieutenant General Thyab Pasha Yousef −16th commander of the Jordanian public security directorate (1984–1985)
• General officerTahseen Pasha Shordum −22nd commander of the Jordanian public security directorate (2002–2004)
• General officer Tareq Pasha Ala'Eddin Bersik −7th commander of the JordanianGeneral Intelligence Department.

Athletes

Ayetullah Bey

Bibras Natcho

UFC fighter

• Yanal Ashmouz

Football and basketball

• Altay Bayındır– footballer
• Emre Belözoğlu– football player and manager
• Şamil Çinaz– footballer
• Can Bartu– Former professional basketball and football player and pundit
• Ayetullah Bey– footballer, founder and second president of the major Turkish multi–sport clubFenerbahçe SK
• Süleyman Seba– Ex–President ofBeşiktaş J.K.
• Oğuz Çetin– football player and manager
• Mesut Bakkal– football player and manager
• Feras Esmaeel– footballer
• Yanal Abaza– footballer
• Tamer Haj Mohamad– footballer
• Bibras Natcho– footballer
• Izhak Nash– footballer
• Nili Natkho– basketball player

Martial arts

• Aslanbek Khushtov–wrestler,2008 Summer Olympicswinner.
• Yaşar Doğu– 1948 London Olympics middleweight wrestling champion
• Bilyal Makhov– Mixed Martial Artist and2012 Olympic Bronze medalistin freestyle wrestling
• Beslan Mudranov– Judo,2016 Olympics gold medalist

Theologians and philosophers

Jawdat Said

Islamic clergy

• Caner Dagli–Islamic scholarand associate professor of Religious Studies at theCollege of the Holy CrossinWorcester,Massachusetts.
• Jawdat Said– Islamic scholar and nonviolence advocate.
• Al-Kawthari– Islamic scholar and theologian of the Maturidi school and the adjunct to the lastShaykh al-Islamof the Ottoman Empire.

Christian clergy

• Carlo de' Medici** – Italian priest, senior clergyman and collector, a member of the powerful Medici family

Philosophers

• Jabagh Qazanoqo– philosopher, poet, military strategist, and diplomat who gained fame for reforming the Circassian justice system based on theQuranandAdyghe Xabze.He played a big role in theBattle of Kanzhal.

Politicians

Jordanian politicians

• Sa`id al-Mufti– Jordanianindependentpolitician, serving in several governments as interior minister (1944–1945, 1948–1950, 1951–1953 and 1957).He wasMinister of Financein 1945.He served as thePresident of the Senate of Jordanfrom December 1956 to July 1963 and from November 1965 to November 1974.
• Ahmad Husni Hatuqey – general of theGeneral Intelligence Directorate (Jordan)
• Ismael Babouk– The first Mayor of Jordan's capital,Amman(1909–1911)
• Toujan al-Faisal– Human rights activist, member of Jordanian Parliament 1993–1997, first woman ever elected to the parliament

Cem Özdemir

German politicians

• Cem Özdemir* – German politician, co-chairman of theGerman Green Party

Syrian politicians

• Ali Mamlouk– Director of general security of Syria
• Bassam Abdel Majeed– former Syrian interior minister and director of the military police

Prime ministers of Libya

• Abdul Majid Kabar– Prime Minister of Libya (1957–1960)

Prime ministers of Iraq

• Tahir Yahya– prime minister of Iraq
• Hikmat Sulayman– prime minister of Iraq

Tunisian politicians

• Rashid al-Shakir Sahib al-Taba'a– Tunisian politician

Prime ministers of Tunisia

• Khaireddin al Tunusy– Prime Minister ofTunisia1873–1877

Egyptian politicians

• Aziz Ali al-Misri– Egyptian chief of staff and politician
• Khaled Mohieddin– Egyptian politician
• Aziz Pasha Abaza- Egyptian poet and governor

Riyad Pasha

Prime ministers of Egypt

• Ali Mahir Pasha– Prime Minister of Egypt
• Mahmoud Fawzi– Prime Minister of Egypt
• Ahmad Mahir Pasha– Prime Minister of Egypt
• Riyad Pasha– Prime Minister of Egypt

Turkish politicians

• Abdüllatif Şener– Former Finance Minister in the 54th cabinet of the Turkish Government
• Ali Kemal** – journalist-politician who was killed during theTurkish War of Independence.
• Deniz Baykal– politician who was a long–time leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) in Turkey.

Presidents and prime ministers of Turkey

• Ahmet Necdet Sezer– 10th president of Turkey
• Necmettin Erbakan* – politician, engineer and academic who was thePrime Minister of Turkeyfrom 1996 to 1997as mandated by theconstitution.

Grand viziers of the Ottoman Empire

• Cenaze Hasan Pasha– Short–termOttoman grand vizierin 1789. His epithetCenaze(orMeyyit) means "corpse" because he was ill when appointed to the post.
• Koca Dervish Mehmed Pasha– Ottoman military officer and statesman fromCircassia.He was madeKapudan Pasha(Grand Admiral) in 1652 and promoted toGrand Vizieron 21 March 1653. He held the position until 28 October 1654.
• Çerkes Mehmed Pasha– Served asGrand Vizier of the Ottoman Empirefrom 1624 to 1625.
• Salih Hulusi Pasha– was one of the lastGrand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire,under the reign of the last Ottoman SultanMehmed VI,between 8 March 1920 and 2 April 1920.

Ottoman governors

• Abdullah Pasha– the Ottoman governor (wali) ofSidon Eyalet.During his reign, all ofPalestineand theSyriancoastline came under his jurisdiction.
• Çerkes Osman Pasha– served as the wali (governor) of the Sidon and Damascus eyalets (provinces) in the early 18th century.
• Farrukh Pasha– Ottoman governor ofNablusandJerusalemin the early 17th century, and founder of the Farrukh dynasty, which held the governorship of Nablus and other posts for much of the 17th century.
• Rıza TevfikBey(Rıza Tevfik Bölükbaşıafter the TurkishSurname Lawof 1934; 1869 – 31 December 1949) was an Ottoman and laterTurkishphilosopher,poet,politicianofliberalsignature. His father was an Albanian, while his mother was a Circassian.

Heads of the federal subjects of Russia

Murat Kumpilov

Presidents of Adygea

• Aslan Dzharimov– The 1st President of theRepublic of Adygea
• Hazret Sovmen– The 2nd President of the Adygea
• Aslan Tkhakushinov– The 3rd President Adygea
• Murat Kumpilov– The 4th President Adygea

Presidents of Kabardino–Balkaria

• Valery Kokov– The 1st President ofKabardino-Balkaria
• Arsen Kanokov– The 2nd President of Kabardino-Balkaria

Economists

• Ungku Abdul Aziz* – Malaysian economist and lecturer
• Zeti Akhtar Aziz* – Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia's Central Bank

Sultans of the Ottoman Empire with Circassian mothers

• Abdul Hamid II** – reigned as the 34thSultan of the Ottoman Empire– the last Sultan to exert effective control over the fracturing state
• Mehmed V** – reigned as the 35th and penultimateOttoman Sultan
• Mehmed VI** – the 36th and last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

Shahs of the Safavid Empire with Circassian mothers

• Shah Suleiman I**– the eight Shah ofSafavidPersia
• Shah Abbas II**– the seventh Shah ofSafavidPersia

  

  Aziz Pasha Abaza

Other nobility

• Maria Temryukovna– Wife of the Russian TsarIvan the Terrible
• Bidar Kadın– fourth wife of SultanAbdul Hamid IIof theOttoman Empire.
• Ecaterina Cerchezasecond wife of Moldavian prince Vasile Lupu
• SultanaMelek Tourhanwas the wife ofSultanHussein KamelofEgypt.
• Princess Sana Asem– Jordanian princess
• Dina bint 'Abdu'l-Hamid**– formerQueen of Jordanas the first wife ofKing Hussein
• Nakihat Khanum– Safavid noble
• Anna Khanum– Safavid noble
• Bedrifelek Kadın– second wife and chief consort of Sultan Abdul Hamid II of the Ottoman Empire
• Abaza family- Egypt's largest aristocratic family of maternalAbazinCircassian origin.

Artists

Ali İhsan Varol

Mehmet Oz

Türkan Şoray

Film, TV, and stage

• Asuman Krause– actress, singer, model and TV presenter who was crowned Miss Turkey in 1998
• Rushdy Abaza–Egyptianactor. He was a member of theAbazinAbaza family,Egypt's largest Circassian clan.He was considered one of the most charming actors in the Egyptian film industry. He died ofbrain cancerat the age of 53.
• Ali İhsan Varol– TV show presenter, producer and actor
• Mert Fırat– actor and screenwriter
• Hussein Fahmy– Egyptian actor
• Mervat Amin– Egyptian actress
• Najdat Anzour– Syrian television and film director.
• Ludmilla Tchérina– internationally famous ballet dancer, actress, artist and sculptor who is a member of a royal family.
• Mehmet Aslantuğ– actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. He has received aGolden Boll Award,a Golden Objective Award, threeGolden Orange Awards,and fourGolden Butterfly Awards.
• Seda Alkor– actress, beauty pageant titleholder, painter and singer
• Mimi Chakib–an Egyptian actress who appeared in some 15 films mostly in the 1940s and 1950s
• Mehmet Oz** – American surgeon who hosts the TV program "The Dr.Oz show"
• Damla Sönmez– Theatre, cinema and TV actress
• Elçin Sangu– actress known for her role in "Kiralık Aşk".
• Natalia Azoqa– Contestant on "Survivor: David vs. Goliath."
• Filiz Akın* – actress, writer and TV presenter. Known asYeşilçam Turkish cinema's "noble, modern, urban and elegant face", Filiz Akın won a huge fan base in Turkey.
• Neslihan Atagül– actress best known for her role inKara Sevda(2015–2017), one of the most successful Turkish series, sold to more than 110 countries and the only winner of theInternational Emmy Awardin 2017.
• İrem Sak– actress and singer
• Ezel Akay– film actor, film director and film producer
• Sezgi Sena Akay– actress, former professional volleyball player, presenter, and model who was crownedBest Model of the World 2012.
• Deniz Akkaya– top model, presenter, fashion editor and disc jockey, entrepreneur, businesswoman, and actress who wonBest Model of Turkey 1997.As the top–earning model in Turkey in the early 2000s, Deniz Akkaya is considered to be one of the most leading models in Turkish fashion history,and one of the most beautiful women of the country.
• Kanbolat Görkem Arslan– actor
• Günseli Başar–beauty contestantandcolumnistwho was crownedMiss Turkey1951 andMiss Europe1952.
• Orhan Boran– radio/TV host and actor. He was also widely known for his laudable usage of theTurkish language.
• Begüm Birgören– actress.
• Sanem Çelik– actress, artist and dancer.
• Sadi Celil Cengiz– actor.
• Meltem Cumbul– actress.
• Keriman Halis Ece– beauty pageant titleholder, pianist, and fashion model who won theMiss Turkey1932 title. She was also crownedMiss Universe1932 inSpa, Belgiumand thus became Turkey's first Miss Universe.
• Türkan Şoray– actress

Musicians and painters

• Astemir Apanasov– singer
• Yuri Temirkanov– Russian music director and chief conductor of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic since 1988
• Zamudin Guchev– craftsman and musician
• Aslan Tlebzu– Russian folk musician
• Sati Kazanova– Russian singer
• Emanne Beasha- Jordanian/American singer
• Hadise– singer
• Zaur Tutov– singer
• Mihail Chemiakin– Famous painter, stage designer, sculptor and publisher
• Avni Arbaş– painter
• Aydilge– writer, poet and singer–songwriter who is famous for her beauty and voice
• Leonardo da Vinci– Italian painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect
• Nuri Bilge Ceylan– photographer, cinematographer, screenwriter and actor and film director

See also

Circassians