He was the brother of Second Lieutenant Kázím Abdulakim, a World War I hero of the Romanian Army who lost his life during the Battle of Mărăşeşti in 1917. Selim’s sister Şefika, also known as Sapiye, was the wife of the beloved Crimean Tatar poet Memet Niyaziy. Selim was married to Sayide (also spelled in Romanian as Saide).
Since 1911 he studied at Bucharest Law Faculty.
He warned that as none of their wishes were taken into account, their emigration is a national threat. Selim loved to be of help and support for young people.
Selim died on 28 March 1943 in Constanta.