Bayzada Hajji Ali Riza Efendi

A prominent scholar and Naqshbandi Sufi of Harput (1810-1904). He first studied under Hajji Ali Efendi, known as 'Shaykh al-Ulama,' then under Hafiz Mehmed Efendi of Dagestan, and by his teacher's testament was appointed professor at the İbrahim Pasha Madrasa. He received the Naqshbandi path from Mehmed Rehavi of Urfa and was made his khalifa, teaching at the Meydan and Alaca mosques and living nearly a century. By his own will no domed tomb was built; he was buried in a plain grave in the Meteris Cemetery of Harput, later enclosed by an iron railing and turned into a place of visitation. (Sources: Elazığ Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism; ehlisunnetbuyukleri.com; harput.web.tr.)