Istanbul: Glen Frederic Matheson, an Armenian-American lawyer with deep-rooted connections to the Ottoman Empire, has officially become a Turkish citizen, adopting the name "Murat." His great-grandfather, Mihran Mesropyan, was a notable Ottoman Army officer and the chief architect of the imperial palace.

According to Anadolu Agency, Matheson's application for Turkish citizenship was supported by Ali Sahin, a deputy from Trkiye's Justice and Development (AK) party and the Chairman of the Latin America and Caribbean Parliament's Turkish Delegation. In an interview, Sahin detailed the journey that led Matheson to embrace his Ottoman heritage.

Mesropyan, Matheson's great-grandfather, played a significant role in the Gallipoli Campaign during World War I and was honored for his service. After being captured in Syria, Mesropyan moved to the United States, where he became a prominent architect, responsible for several notable buildings in Washington, D.C.

Sahin explained that his acquaintance with Matheson began through a mutual academic friend. Matheson expressed a strong desire to connect with his Ottoman legacy and the Turkish people, motivated by his great-grandfather's history and his own connection to Anatolia.

The path to citizenship, supported by Trkiye's interior and foreign ministries, spanned about a year and a half, culminating last month. Sahin shared Matheson's joy upon receiving his Turkish citizenship, recalling Matheson saying, "Today is the happiest day of my life."

Matheson, now known as Murat Frederic, is part of a growing trend of individuals with Ottoman or Anatolian roots seeking to reconnect with Trkiye. Sahin also highlighted the historical migration from the Ottoman Empire to Latin America and the Caribbean, where approximately 20 million people of Anatolian descent reside. Many of them, referred to as 'Los Turcos' or 'El Turco,' continue to embrace their Anatolian heritage.