Muhammed Karataş III (Romani leader)
Bey Muhammed Karataş III, Exceptional Gallantry Medal, Distinguished Gallantry Medal, is the Bey-nin-Çingene (leader of the Sharifistani Roma).
Bey-Sipahi Muhammed Karataş Exceptional Gallantry Medal, Distinguished Gallantry Medal, Nişan De Onur | |
|---|---|
| Bey-nin-Çingene | |
| Monarch | Sultan Ahmed Khan (2010-2014), Sultan Suleiman Khan (2014-2020), Prince Khalid Suleiman Khan (2020), Emir Suleiman Khan (2020-2021), Sultana Khadijah Khan (2021), Sultan Ed Ashleigh (2021-) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August the 5th 1970 City of Industry, Sharifistan |
| Nationality | Sharifistani Roma |
| Political party | Socialist Party of Sharifistan (2010-2020), Islamic Liberty Party (2021-) |
| Spouse(s) | Aisha,Khadijah and Fatimah Karataş |
| Children | Muhammed Karataş IV, Aisha Karataş II, Suleiman Karataş, Mehmet Karataş, Ahmed Karataş and Fatimah Karataş II |
| Parent(s) | Muhammed Karataş II and Afet Karataş |
| Relatives | Karataş |
| Residence | nomadic |
| Education | 2 Basic Levels (Turkish and Mathematics) as well as infantry training |
| Alma mater | Romani Educational Service, Infantry Training School |
| Occupation | soldier (1986-2010), Bey-nin-Çingene (2010-) |
| Known for | Bey-nin-Çingene |
| Salary | £189,500 |
| Civilian awards | First Prize at Community Leadership Awards (2014) |
| Nickname | "Turgut" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Sharifistan |
| Branch/service | Royal Sharifistani Army |
| Years of service | 1986-2010 |
| Rank | Bayrak Çavuş (Colour Sergeant) |
| Unit | Royal City of Industry Rifles |
| Battles/wars | Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989), Soviet-Afghan War, Yugoslav Wars, War in Afghanistan |
| Military awards | Distinguished Gallantry Medal, Exceptional Gallantry Medal |
Early life
Born the son of Muhammed Karataş II and Afet Karataş (his 15 year old wife) on August the 5th 1970. Muhammed Karataş III left high school at the age of 16 in 1986 (with two Basic Levels) and enlisted in the Royal City of Industry Rifles (a family tradition) as well as marrying his first wife (then aged 14)
Military service
Muhammed Karataş III served in the Royal City of Industry Rifles for 24 years, leaving in 2010 at the rank of Bayrak Çavuş or Colour Sergeant in 2010. By that time he had gained a Distinguished Gallantry Medal in a counter-insurgency operation in Malaysia and an Exceptional Gallantry Medal in the Soviet-Afghan War.
Romani Leader
After taking over from his father died (he was killed during an argument over some farm animals), Muhammed Karataş III succeeded him as Bey-nin-Romanlar in 2010. In 2014, he won praise from both child protection charities and the Sharifistani establishment for ordering that Romani in Sharifistan honour the (then recent) law that girls under sixteen should not be married. Amongst his other initiatives is a great deal of charity work, his main causes are child protection, refugee activism, protection of victims of domestic violence and veterans' issues.
Personal life
Like his family Muhammed Karataş is Muslim. He admires the Sufi poetry of Rumi and says he is considering joining the Mevlevi Order. He has three wives and six children and says "family values are extremely important to me."