Former President of Turkey Abdullah Gul is renowned for his dedication and loyalty to his country. Alongside his highly regarded status of President, he served as Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Gul currently sits on the Advisory Panel for the President of the Islamic Development Bank, a multilateral development finance institution which focuses on Islamic finance.

During Gul’s post as Foreign Minister, he fought assiduously for Turkey’s membership into the European Union and well deservedly earned the reputation as a skilful and non- confrontational negotiator, popular amongst his staff and foreign constituents alike. It seemed Gul was the ideal fit for the role; representing the mass of conservative Turks practicing Islam, whilst simultaneously making sure his loyalty to the secular republic remained intact, all the while ensuring that his outlook remained open to the outside world. Gul’s resilient career has been far from smooth sailing as his initial bid for presidency was blocked over concerns of his Islamist political background. Gul exercised his determination and finally became Turkey’s first Islamist President in 2007.

Gul studied economics at Istanbul University and spent two years in London and Exeter during his education. He became acquainted with politics during school years and at University his enthusiasm harvested further when he became a member of the National Turkish Students’ Union.