Turkish delight is known to have been produced in Turkey as early as the late 1700s, hence its name. The exact origin of these sweets is yet to be definitively determined; however, the word "lokum" comes from the Arabic "al-halkum". In the Arab world, Turkish delights are called "rāḥat al-ḥulqūm" (رَاحَة الْحُلْقُوم) which means "throat comfort". According to the Hacı Bekir company, Bekir Efendi, named Hacı Bekir after performing the Hajj, moved to Istanbul from his hometown Kastamonu and opened his confectionery shop in the district of Bahçekapı in 1777. He produced various kinds of candies and "lokums", later including a unique
Najib Effendi al-Yasin Najib Effendi al-Yasin Najib Effendi Al-Yasin was the first mayor of Haifa during the Ottoman Empire's era between 1873–1877. Najib Effendi was born to a noble aristocratic Turkish family during the ruling age of the Ottoman Empire, at the beginning of his life he worked as a lawyer. He is first mayor of Haifa. Najib Effendi as an eminent Turkish politician who worked and served the empire for a long time and dedicated his time for his work he has been awarded many medals of honour. One of the most remarkable medals he received is a medal of honour by