Semiulla Wafin

Semiulla Wafin (February 2, 1909 – December 18, 1983) was a Tatar shopkeeper, leader, publisher and a teacher in Tampere.[1][2]

Life

Semiulla Wafin was born in a village called Aktuk, which is located in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. As a child, he moved to Terijoki and then to Tampere. At first he studied under imam/teacher Alaeddin Abbes and then went to primary school in Tampereen klassillinen lyseo.[2]

In 1925, Wafin started working at his father's shop, that sold mainly fabrics. It was located in Aleksis Kiven katu. Later, after his father died, he operated as the general manager of the shop during the years 1941–1982.[2][3]

Wafin studied economics in Berlin, where he met his future wife, Mahrusa Allayarı, whose father was a wealthy landowner Zakircan Aldargarov (later Allayarı).

Wafin was a founding member and the member of the board of The Tampere Islamic Congregation. He was the chairman from 1951 until his death. He was also involved in the founding of The Tampere Turkish Society and for many years operated at the board.[2]

During his life, with his every action he strove for the development and conservation of Tatar culture in Finland. He published Tatar language books, for example in 1962 with imam Habibur-Rahman Shakir a booklet called "Din derésleré ve Islam tarihçese", and with artist Aisa Hakimjan a reprint of a 1908 book released originally in Kazan named "Islām dīne ḥaqq dīnder".[2][4]

Wafin was interested in Turkic languages and for many years taught the children of his community. He was also in extensive correspondence with people abroad interested in similar subjects and wrote to them about the lives of Tatars in Tampere.[2]

During the Continuation War, Wafin served as a corporal and was awarded afterwards. He has been described as a sharp writer and speaker whose personality reflected his strong leader skills.[1][2]

Family

Semiulla and Mahrusa Wafin had children named Batu, Urhan and Fuat. The parents of Semiulla were Zinnetullah and Möshfika Wafin. His father had arrived to Finland for the first time to his uncle Mustafa Ismail in 1900. He established his successful business in 1910. His mother has been described as "the mother of the people".[5]

References
  1. Suomen, Islam-seurakunta (2006). Suomen Islam-seurakunnan veteraaniteos. Jyväskylä: Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy. p. 98. ISBN 952-99306-1-5.
  2. Baibulat, Muazzez (2004). The Tampere Islamic Congregation: the roots and history (in english, tatar and finnish). Jyväskylä: Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy. p. 41. ISBN 952-91-6753-9.
  3. Baibulat, Muazzez (2004). The Tampere Islamic Congregation: the roots and history (in english, tatar and finnish). Jyväskylä: Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy. p. 24. ISBN 952-91-6753-9.
  4. Halen, Harry (1996). Lahjan Hedelmät (from a book: Tugan Tel: Kirjoituksia Suomen Tataareista, reporter: Kadriye Bedretdin, 2011). Helsinki: Suomen Itämainen Seura. p. 346. ISBN 978-951-9380-78-0.
  5. Baibulat, Muazzez (2004). The Tampere Islamic Congregation: the roots and history (in english, tatar and finnish). Jyväskylä: Gummerus Kirjapaino Oy. pp. 268, 278. ISBN 952-91-6753-9.
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