The word "Kemal" in this context refers to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who is widely known as the founding father of Turkey. He played a crucial role in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey and implemented significant political, cultural, and social reforms.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Mustafa ___ Atatürk, founding father of Turkey. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.