Ymär Daher

Ymär Daher (November 5, 1910 – July 10, 1999) was a well respected Tatar cultural influencer, researcher, public servant, teacher and docent of turkology, doctor of philosophy and vice judge. He moved to Finland in early 1900s. As a researcher, Daher took part in many different altaistic and turkologic conferences around the world. His versatile language skills and cultural knowledge was used by for example the Finnish president Urho Kekkonen.

Life and career[]

Ymär Daher was born on November 5, 1910. He was from Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Tatar village named Kuysu. He came to Finland with his siblings in 1922. His father, a merchant and political activist Sarif Daher (Zarif Tahir, 1884–1959) was living in the country already. Father-Daher was involved in establishing the association Etuvartiokansojen klubi in 1919. Its purpose was to help and create bonds between the minorities of Russia. The mother of Ymär Daher, Esma Sabir had died before he moved to Finland.^[1][2][3]

Daher began his studies in Helsinki, a private lyceum founded by professor Yrjö Jahnsson. From there, he graduated as bachelor of laws in 1930. Daher received a higher law degree from University of Helsinki in 1938, and the title of deputy judge in 1943. Between the years 1961–1970, Daher also became the bachelor of humanities and a master, licentiate and doctor of philosophy.^[1]

In 1930s, Daher began working at his father's business as a clerk and later as a sales manager. Next, he worked at the Helsinki tax office between 1938 and 1973. His titles during those years were inspector, department manager, business inspector, deputy secretary, department secretary and department head. In addition, he was the additional official of Uusimaa government in 1938, additional rapporteur of treasury in 1947 and additional official of the Supreme Administrative Court 1944–1953.^[1]

As a teacher, Daher taught Tatar and Turkish language and Turkology at the University of Helsinki in 1963–1991, and as docent in 1976–1980. He had many friends among the Finnish University community, such as Martti Räsänen, Armas Salonen, and Pentti Aalto.^[1]

Daher was a very committed influencer among the Tatar community. He for example worked many years in the board of their congregation and cultural association. He was involved in the establishing of the school for the Tatar children. In late 1960s, Daher, poet Sadri Hamid and linguist Martti Räsänen together founded an association named after national poet Ğabdulla Tuqay (Abdulla Tukai in Finland). Through the association, connections between the Finnish Tatar and Kazan Tatar community has been made. In 1998, the president of Tatarstan awarded Daher with the title of Meritorious cultural worker of The Republic of Tatarstan.^[1][2]

As a researcher, Daher took part in many altaistic and turkologic conferences in Turkey, Central Asia, United States and around Europe. He was involved in setting up the first International Altaistic Conference held in Finland in 1963. A book relating to the subject has been released under the name Tatarica.

Daher had diverse language skills and cultural knowledge. Daher helped president Urho Kekkonen many times, for example in 1971, when he visited Turkey.^[2]

During the Winter War, Daher served at the headquarters of the intelligence and propaganda department. He was staff sergeant.^[2]

Ymär Daher died in Helsinki, July 10, 1999. His wife was Halide Samaletdin and children Okan, Rahile and Tinet. His son, Okan Daher (b. 1947) is a lecturer in Tatar Language and Culture at the University of Helsinki and has also for example published a Tatar-Finnish dictionary.^[1][4][5]

Memberships[]

Written in Finnish;

• Suomen-Islam seurakunta, hallitus 1936–1953, varapuheenjohtaja 1951–1953.
• Finlandiya Türkleri Birligi ry, hallitus 1935 - 1947, puheenjohtaja 1945.
• Turkkilainen kansakoulu, johtokunta, puheenjohtaja 1948 - 1958.
• Helsingin olympialaisten Iranin olympiajoukkueen olympia-attashea 1952.
• Ulkomaanyhdistysten yhteistoimikunta 1956 - 1978.
• Suomi - Pakistan-yhdistys ry, hallitus 1953 - 1977, puheenjohtaja 1978 - 1990.
• Suomen Unesco-toimikunnan Itä - Länsi-jaosto 1958 - 1963.
• Suomen itämainen seura, hallitus, rahainvartija 1963 - 1985.
• Abdulla Tukain Seura ry, hallituksen varapuheenjohtaja 1967 - 1975, puheenjohtaja 1976 - 1995.^[1]

Accolades[]

Written in Finnish;

• Suomen Valkoisen Ruusun Kunniamerkki 1964.
• Iranin kansallisen urheiluliiton am 1953.
• Tatarstanin tasavallan ansioituneen kulttuurityöntekijän arvonimi 1998.^[1]

External links[]

• Permanent International Altaistic Conference
• Staff sergeant Ymär Daher

Sources[]