[center][u][b]Zengid Kingdom[/b][/u][/center]
[center][u][i][b]The Seljuk Situation[/b][/i][/u][/center]
[i]“The Seljuk minority is by no means a new issue for the Zengid nation, they have been a thorn in the side of many Kings of old. The only difference I think we can see today is the propensity for the Seljuks to become organized as of late. Even into the twilight years of Ahmed the 2nd’s reign the discontent of the Seljuk people could be easily dismissed as a few radicals but now since the national organization of Seljuk rights it can no longer be brushed away and my personal hope is that Akbayar can resolve the situation before more unrest occurs.”[/i]
 ~ Aslan Hassan Professor of Zengid History at Agisil State University:  March 16th 1900 Interview for the Zengid National Post 

[center][i][u][b]The Foundation of the National Seljuk Rights Organization[/b][/u][/i][/center]
[center][img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ff/e5/72/ffe57299dc18d4566f53dc80bbdcd4c0--turkish-delight-vintage-photographs.jpg[/img][/center]
[center]A Seljuk man in Turasa Circa. 1900[/center]

[b][u]The Rise of Dalir:[/u][/b]
	After decades of continued discontent with their treatment of Seljuks under the Zengid state the Seljuk minorities discontent started to boil over. By the Mid-1800’s the million plus Seljuks seemed to be almost begging for a leader to channel their strife into political action. On February 5th 1885 many found their home within the ranks of the National Seljuk Rights Organization. Dalir Moridi born September 4th 1847 was not a Seljuk by law, born in Turasa a small mining village in Ghurid to a Ghurid father and Seljuk mother he narrowly escaped being a second class citizen. While officially he was within a more privileged class in Zengid society by fate of his father he would still become one of the Seljuk's most influential figures later in his life. Dalir had however experienced little of the the treatment of undesirable minorities in Zengid society in his early life. It wasn't until he left his hometown for Agisil to study Mechanical Engineering at the State University in 1870 that he witnessed it's toll. There the massive ghetto’s the Seljuk industrial labors were relegated to left him in shock being half Seljuk himself this event is considered the start of his push for Seljuk rights.

	While Dalir was studying, he organized a Seljuk Labor Union in 1873. This was his first attempt to push for better labor conditions and higher pay for Seljuk minorities. This under Zengid law was an illegal organization as Seljuks where barred from, “Militant Labor Agitation” as a consequence not only was the union a clandestine organization but it’s only effective actions could take place with Seljuks in higher skilled positions (a rarity) since any labor action by a Seljuk layman would be grounds for immediate termination and there was no shortage of out of work Seljuk labors to take his place. This along with the reluctance of Seljuks in Agisil to join any sort of illegal Labor organization made the union quit ineffective for some time. 

	In 1879 however a breakthrough took place after the collapse of a mine owned by Kaya & Malas Mining Company left 100 Seljuk miners dead in his hometown of Turasa. Dalir and his Union of Seljuk Labor had an opportunity to create meaningful reforms. Dalir had gotten over Ten Thousand Miners to walk off the job on June 16th 1879 effectively shutting down Kaya & Malas's largest precious metals mine in Ghurid at the time. For nearly a month the strike continued, Kaya & Malas attempted to break the strike all attempts failed even when they attempted to bring miners from other areas of Ghurid, the towns inhabitants in a show of solidarity ran most of the outsiders out of town. Word spread that Ahmed the 2nd was going to send in the military to seize the mine if Kaya & Malas could not control their labor force and continue production as scheduled by the end of July. Finding no other options Kaya & Malas gave in they couldn't fire their whole Seljuk workforce or they’d risk reprisal from the town and they certainly wanted to prevent the nationalization of the mine though it might teach the Seljuks a lesson if the military had arrived. Dalir had won the miners of his birthplace better labor condition and an increase in wages. The real victory in the mind of Dalir however was the acceptance that Seljuk people can organize without fear of reprisals. This would soon translate into law or so Dalir hoped. The one major miscalculation of Dalir was that he believed he couldn't become a target of Kaya & Malas or the Zengid Monarchy. He after all was Ghurid. This may not have saved him from reprisal it was in the end still a saving grace for him.

[u][b]January 2nd 1880:[/b][/u]
	Dalir Moridri was arrested in his residence in December 1880 and was awaiting trial he however was fortunate, as two of his allies in the union were executed and he would not share their fate. He however was only looking at five years in jail himself a far cry from the sacrifice that his Seljuk compatriots had to take. His years in jail steeled his resolve and had not killed his desire to continue the fight. His arrest and the execution of other important figures in the Seljuk community lead to a major Seljuk backlash and push for rights. 
	In mid-February 1883 in response to a long running series of protests and sit-in’s in Agisil by Seljuk organizations. Ahmed the 2nd signed into law the Seljuk minorities right to form its own labor and political organizations as long as they did not advocate violence again the Zengid state. He hoped this would calm down the situation and for a short time it did the intensity of discontent was quelled by this major victory. All good things must come to an end however.

[u][b]February 5th 1885:[/b][/u]
	It hadn’t been long since Dalir Moridri had been released from prison but he did not feel it was time to rest he had to organize Seljuks and achieve Seljuk equality which was still far from reality within Zengid. The new organization the National Seljuk Rights Organization was christened Dalir along with surviving organizers of his now defunct labor union began putting their talents towards a broader goal of Seljuk rights. Dalir had great hopes for this organization and after a few successful actions over the years Dalir felt he was in sight of his end goals. This was about the change.

[u][b]April 12th 1893:[/b][/u]
	A seemingly innocuous march was planned for this day which was why the eventual aftermath of the day was never foreseen by the National Seljuk Rights Organization. Toward the midpoint of their journey the marchers were greeted with a detachment of local law enforcement informing them the march was to be cancelled for security reasons. It is unclear how the events took place afterwards as many conflicting reports have been circulated but what is clear is what was supposed to be a simple march turned into a riot as unhappy marchers lashed out in anger as the tension escalated. The events gave an emergency legislative secession all the ammo they needed to roll back some of the unpopular rights granted by Ahmed the 2nd. While they stopped short of rolling back the Seljuk minorities new found rights entirely they severely limited them. This did not go over well with the Seljuk minority but the damage was already done.

[u][b]February 5th 1900:[/b][/u]
	The first major protest in Agisil since the events of April 12th had taken place. Tensions are high this event is supposed to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the foundation the National Seljuk Rights Organization. A counter protest however brings things to a head a brawl breaks out between the groups and it devolves into a riot this event helps bring the Seljuk situation to the forefront King Akbayar’s mind. Many sit on the sidelines wondering where Akbayar will stand some are hopeful but many are unsure about the situation that teeters on the brink of organized violence.