Melek is a captivating female name of Turkish origin, meaning "Angel." This elegant name is deeply rooted in Turkish culture and carries a sense of divine grace and beauty. Notable individuals bearing the name Melek include Turkish diplomat Melek Sina Baydur, professional basketball player Melek Bilge, and the revered figure in the Yazidi religion, Melek Taus. The name also extends its influence beyond Turkey, with Chinese-born Turkish table tennis player Melek Hu and Egyptian Queen consort Melek Tourhan adding to its international appeal. Additionally, the name Melek is associated with historical figures such as Ottoman grand vizier Melek Ahmed Pasha. Furthermore, the name has been featured in various cultural references, including an album by Candan Erçetin and a village in the Nitra District, Slovakia.
Melek Hassan Tourhan, also known as Sultana Melek, was the second wife of Sultan Hussein Kamel of Egypt. Born in Istanbul in 1869, she was a Circassian but not a slave, raised by Jeshm Afet Hanim, the third wife of Khedive Isma'il Pasha of Egypt. Melek married Hussein Kamel in 1886 and had three daughters. When Hussein ascended the throne in 1914, she became known as Sultana Melek. She maintained a low profile during her husband's reign, attending performances at the Khedivial Opera House. After Hussein Kamel's death in 1917, she kept her sultanic title and was placed second only to Queen Nazli in the order of precedence. Melek never remarried and spent her widowhood traveling and residing in her palace in the Cairo suburb of Heliopolis. She passed away in 1956. Melek's life as the Sultana of Egypt was marked by her unique position in Egyptian royalty and her devotion to her family.
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