''Not to be confused with sikh''

Sheikh, also spelled ''sheik, Shaikh'' or transliterated as ''shaykh'' (pronounced or ; '''', mostly pronounced , plural ''''), is a word or honorific term in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and actually means "leader and/or governor". It is commonly used to designate the front man of a tribe who got this title after his father, or an Islamic scholar who got this title after graduating from the basic Islamic school. Sheikha is the female equivalent, although these do not exist in the arabic world. A sheikh who is wise are called ''ḥakīm'' adjective (wise) , ''ḥākim'' noun (governor) , ''yaḥkum'' verb (govern) ; and can govern. The scholar sheikh here can govern but can not lead directly because the leader is the Islam which is based upon the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah; on the other hand the family sheikh can always lead but can not govern unless he is wise. Although the title generally refers to a male, a very small number of female sheikhs have also existed.

It also refers generally to a man over forty or fifty years of age. While even a new Muslim can be called a sheikh if he is diligent in seeking the knowledge of Islam based upon the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah, he can be referred to as such by those he teaches. Usually, a person is known as a sheikh when he has completed his undergraduate university studies in Islamic studies and is trained in giving lectures. The word sheikh under this meaning is a synonym of Alim, pl. Ulama (a learned person in Islam, a scholar), Mawlawi, Mawlānā, Muhaddith, Faqīh, Qadi, Mufti, Hadhrat or Hafiz.

Etymology and meaning

The word in Arabic stems from a triliteral root connected with age and ageing: ش-ي-خ, ''shīn-yā'-khā'''. The term literally means a man of old age, and it is used in that sense of all men in Qur'anic Arabic. Later it came to be a title meaning leader, elder, or noble, especially in the Arabian Peninsula, where ''shaikh'' became a traditional title of a Bedouin tribal leader in recent centuries. Due to the cultural impact of Arab civilization, and especially through the spread of Islam, the word has gained currency as a religious term or general honorific in many other parts of the world as well, notably in Muslim cultures in Africa and Asia.

While the title can be used religiously by Muslims to designate a learned person, as an Arabic word it is essentially independent of religion. It is notably used by Druze for their religious men, but also by Arab Christians for elder men of stature. Its usage and meaning is similar to the Latin ''senex'' meaning "old [man]", from which the Latin (and English) "senator" is derived. Accordingly, the Arabic term for most legislative bodies termed Senate (e.g. the United States Senate) is ''majlis al-shuyūkh'', literally meaning "Council of Senators."

As a secular honorific

The title is sometimes more informally used to people who have a certain financial or political influence, but especially in relation to royalty and other nobility.

In the Arabian Peninsula region

In the Arabian Peninsula, the title is used for men of stature, whether they are managers in high posts, wealthy business owners, or local rulers. For example, it was the term used in the West to refer to the leaders of Kuwait's ruling al-Sabah dynasty, even though the monarchic style was actually ''Hakim'' (Arabic 'ruler') until June 19, 1961, when Kuwait joined the Arab League, and the title Emir was adopted. The same applied to Bahrain and Qatar. The term is used by almost every male member of all the Gulf royal houses with the exception of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

In the Maghreb region

During the Almohad dynasty, the Caliph was also counciled by a body of Shaykhs, representing all the different tribes under their rules, including Berbers, Arabs, Bedouins and Andalusians, the were also responsible for mobilizing their kinsmen in the event of war.

Turkey

In the Turkish language, the form ''Şeyh'' is used.

Lebanon

In Lebanon, the title and its equivalent female form (''shaykha'') are commonly used when addressing members of the traditional noble Christian feudal families such as, in chronological order of the Maronite families who first had this title bestowed upon them: El-Hachem of Akoura (since 1523, ruled the current Jbeil casa and the north till the Sir El Donnieh region), El Khazen (since 1545, ruled the Kiserwan area) and El Douaihy of Zgharta. The term sheikh is known to have been bestowed upon the families who battled with the Emir, Fakhr al-Din, in the historical battle of Anjar. Note that the term is not used for the seven traditional Beiruti families, but primarily for the above-mentioned three families. The other families that have this term (such as El-Dahdah, Gemayel, El-Khoury.....) did not rule any territory in previous ages. Instead, they were high-ranking employees or makhatir or secretaries (kouttab) (such as Hobeich (since 1567) of Ghazir) in the Ottoman Empire, or political 'allies' of the rulers at that time, which provided them a certain financial status.

Indeed, the title (''sheikh'') is common within the Druze Community as well and is mainly used when addressing members of traditional Druze feudal families ("Iqtaaiyin") such as Imad which played historically an important role during the Ottoman-regime and the conflict of 1860 in Mount Lebanon Chouf District. In The "Gharb Region" of Mount Lebanon, families such ''Talhouk'' and ''Abd El Malek'' were a cornerstone of the Ottoman control strategy during the 16th, 17th until the 19th century.

South Asia

In Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other parts of South Asia, the title Sheikh signifies Arab descent and comes under high caste of society but majority are the local Rajput, Khatri or Brahmin tribes who used the title of Sheikh after conversion to Islam. In Delhi it was used by the Persian Magi descendants who migrate from Persia because of Safavid persecution in 16th century. The Muslims of the Middle East and Central Asia have historically, travelled to South Asia as Sufis during the Islamic Sultanates and Mughal Empire and settled permanently and assumed Shaikh status.

Pakistan

In Pakistan the title is used for a caste (Community) well reputed and respected, mainly involved in business. Many of the popular personalities in Pakistan have been Sheikhs. The title Sheikh signifies Arab descent and comes under high caste of society. People who are Khawaja are Syeds by family. The Muslims of the Middle East and Central Asia have historically, travelled to South Asia as Sufis during the Islamic Sultanates and Mughal Empire and settled permanently and assumed Shaikh status. Shaikhs were originally very closely linked to all the Royal families of the world, even with the westerners. They were the masterminds behind all successful businesses and political parties globally. The shaikhs were wealthy from their modest work and high intellectual. Shaikhs most lived a luxurious life well known for their open hearted spending.

Religious usage

The term is often used by Muslims to address learned men of various Islamic sciences, such as faqihs, muftis, and muhaddiths, and more generally to convey respect for religious authorities.

The term is and/or was also used in certain Islamic parts of Africa, as in imperial Ethiopia by the hereditary Muslim rulers of Bela Shangul, and by certain Muslim notables of Wollo, Tigray and Eritrea.

For women

A daughter or wife of a shaykh is sometimes called ''shaykhah'' (Arabic: ). Currently, the term shaykhah is commonly used for females of rich families, especially ruling families, in Arab countries.

Surname

In Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, "Sheikh" is a common surname among Muslims, and generally indicates Arab ancestry.

See also

Kashmiri Shaikh

Khawaja Shaikh

Punjabi Shaikh

Qallu

Qanungoh Shaikh

Quraishi

Shaikh (caste)

Siddiqui

Sindhi Shaikh

Bihari Shaikh, Basically belong to Bihar in India, Darbhanga Dist , Massa Dhankol Village, they are having as per record more than 800 years generation inheritance.

About Shaikh in shaikhportal.com

Notes

References

Shaikh Siddiqui

Shaikportal.com

History of El Douaihy

History of the Maronites and Lebanon

"History of Lebanon" by Kamal Salibi

Category:Arabic words and phrases Category:Islamic honorifics Category:Religious leadership roles Category:Titles of national or ethnic leadership Category:Noble titles

ar:شيخ an:Xec ca:Xeic cs:Šajch da:Sheik de:Scheich es:Jeque eo:Ŝejko fa:شیخ fr:Cheikh hi:शेख़ hr:Šeik id:Syekh it:Sceicco he:שייח' lad:Sheih lt:Šeichas mk:Шеик ms:Syeikh nl:Sjeik ja:シャイフ no:Sjeik pl:Szejk pt:Xeque (título) ro:Șeic ru:Шейх sl:Šejk sr:Шеик sh:Šeik fi:Šeikki sv:Schejk tr:Şeyh uk:Шейх ur:شیخ zh:谢赫 (称号)

Honorific-prefix	HH The Emir Sheikh
name	Mohammed bin RashidAl Maktoumمحمد بن راشد آل مكتوم
order	Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates
president	Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
term start	5 January 2006Acting until 11 February 2006
predecessor	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Deputy	Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2006–09)Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2006–09)Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2009–)Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2009–)
order2	1st
office2	Minister of Defense of the United Arab Emirates|Minister of Defense of the United Arab Emirates
term start2	December 1971
president2	Zayed bin Sultan Al NahyanKhalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Primeminister2	Maktoum bin Rashid Al MaktoumRashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
order3	Emir of Dubai
predecessor3	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
term start3	4 January 2006
deputy3	Hamdan bin Rashid Al MaktoumMaktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
order4	Crown Prince of Dubai
term start4	4 January 1995
term end4	4 January 2006
monarch4	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
successor4	Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum
religion	Sunni Islam
birth date	July 22, 1949
birth place	Dubai, Trucial States
nationality	Emirati
spouse	Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al MaktoumHaya bint Al-Hussein
blank1	Father
data1	Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
blank2	Heir Apparent
data2	Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum }}

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم; ), also Sheikh Mohammed, (born July 22, 1949), is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and absolute monarch of Dubai.

Political and business career

On January 3, 1995, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum signed two decrees that appointed Sheikh Mohammed as Crown Prince of Dubai.

Sheikh Mohammed oversaw the development of numerous projects in Dubai including the creation of the Palm Islands and the luxury Burj Al Arab hotel. He also promoted the construction of Burj Khalifa, which is now the tallest free-standing structure in the world, world's tallest building; its official opening was on Monday, 4 January 2010. During his tenure as Crown Prince he set up Dubai Holding, the debt laden and financially troubled holding company with multi-diversified businesses and investments. He currently owns 99.67% of the company.

After roughly a decade of de facto rulership, he became the Ruler of Dubai on January 4, 2006 upon the death of his elder brother Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He was also nominated by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to be the next Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE on January 5, 2006. The members of the UAE Federal National Council accepted the President's nomination shortly after.

Net worth

In June 2010, his wealth was estimated at USD$ 12.3 billion by Forbes magazine, meaning he was the biggest faller two years in a row on their list of the worlds richest royals. His brother H.H Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Controller and owner of Nakeel Group, estimated net worth USD $ 11.12 billion.

Charity

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been known for his vast charitable donations. On May 19, 2007, he announced plans to give $US10bn to set up the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, an educational foundation in the Middle East, one of the largest charitable donations in history. Sheikh Mohammed stated that the money is meant to bridge the knowledge gap between the Arab region and the developed world, improving the standard of education and research in the region, developing leadership programs for youth, and stimulating job creation. The announcement was made at the 2007 World Economic Forum in Jordan.

One of the Foundation's key initiatives is Bayt Ul Hikma۔

Dubai Cares

In September 2007, he launched the Dubai Cares campaign to raise money to educate 1 million children in poor countries. The campaign is Dubai's contribution to the U.N. Millennium Development Goals for providing Children's Primary Education to every child by 2015. The amount donated to this campaign has exceeded AED 3.4 billion (Approximately US$ 910 million).

Noor Dubai

On September 3, 2008, Sheikh Mohammad also launched a new Ramadan initiative under the name "Noor Dubai", aiming to help the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in achieving its goals outlined in VISION 2020: the Right to Sight Noor Dubai will treat and provide health services to one million people suffering from treatable blindness and visual impairment in developing countries on a local, regional, and international scale.

Controversies

In 2000, the Sheikh funded 4 million euro for the construction of the Essalaam mosque in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, which led to a major controversy.

Since 2000, international equestrian athletes affiliated with UNICEF have worked to end the "scourge of modern slavery in mounted sports," by putting public and diplomatic pressure on Sheikh Mohammed and the UAE government. In 2005, a UNICEF-sponsored programme with the UAE government resulted in the repatriation of hundreds of children formerly enslaved as camel jockeys, and provided them with social services and compensation upon return to their home countries of Pakistan, Sudan, Mauritania, and Bangladesh. The UAE government set aside $US2.7 million in initial funding in 2005 with an additional $US9 million for the second phase, and to enforce compliance, adopted a law officially banning the practice with penalties of jail time and a $US27,200 fine. UNICEF endorsed the UAE’s efforts and expressed the hopes that “the UAE’s programme will serve as a model to other countries in the region, as a means of ending all forms of exploitation of children”.

In September 2006, Sheikh Mohammed was accused of encouraging the abduction and enslavement of thousands of boys for use as jockeys in camel races. A class-action suit was filed against him in the state of Florida. However, in 2006, American lawyers representing the UAE raised a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, not on its substance but on the grounds that none of the involved parties resided in the U.S. In July 2007, judge Cecilia Altonaga accepted the motion and dismissed the suit.

On 9 March 2007, the London-based Metro newspaper wrongly published a picture of Sheikh Mohammed, attributing it to the terror suspect Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. The Metro has since apologized for the error.

References

External links

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's official site

The Official Website of the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates

''Dubai'' Photos of ''Dubai'' - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's yacht—the largest in the world.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's IT Education Project (ITEP)

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation

Dubai Cares Official Site

Noor Dubai Official site

Further reading

''My Vision - Challenges in the Race for Excellence'' by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (2006); in Arabic; explains the vision of Sheikh Mohammed for Dubai

''Dubai The Maktoum Story'' by John M. Smith; in English; a book which criticizes the governance of Sheikh Mohammed

{{Incumbent succession box | title = Ruler of Dubai | before = Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum | start = 2006 }} {{Incumbent succession box | title = Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates | before = Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum | start = 2006 }}

Category:1949 births Category:Current national leaders Category:Living people Category:Maktoum family Category:Eclipse Award winners Category:Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Category:Reigning monarchs Category:Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates Category:Government ministers of the United Arab Emirates Category:United Arab Emirati racehorse owners and breeders Category:United Arab Emirati Sunni Muslims Category:United Arab Emirati politicians Category:United Arab Emirati billionaires Category:United Arab Emirati businesspeople Category:Emirs of Dubai

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title	Hereditary Prince of Dubai
house	House of Al-Falasi
full name	Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
birth date	November 14, 1982
nationality	Emirati
titles	''HH'' Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
father	Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
mother	Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum (Arabic حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم) also known as Fazza'a;the name under which he publishes his poetry, (born 14 November 1982) is the Hereditary Prince of Dubai and the second eldest son of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum.

Education

Sheikh Hamdan began his schooling in Dubai at the Rashid School For Boys and then continued his studies in the United Kingdom. There, he graduated from Sandhurst and later attended the London School of Economics.

Roles and Positions

On 1 February 2008, Sheikh Mohammed appointed Sheikh Hamdan as the Hereditary Prince of Dubai. As the new Hereditary Prince, he has recently appointed new key personal and financial advisors such as global economist John Calverley and hedge fund tycoon James T. Naeem of HN Capital LLP. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council in September 2006. He also is the head of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, and the president of the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Autism Centre.

Sport

He won the gold medal in Equestrian at the Asian Games.

Personal Life and Family

Sheikh Hamdan is one of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 21 children and is a descendant of the House of Al-Falasi. He is known for both his poetry and as a horse rider. His poems are mainly romantic, patriotic and about his family. He publishes his poems under the name ''Fazza'' (فزاع). Sheikh Hamdan also has a passion for camels, cars and skydiving.

Titles, styles and honours

Royal name	The Crown Prince'
Dipstyle	His Highness
Offstyle	Your Highness
Altstyle	Sir}}

Titles and styles

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (14 November 1982 - 4 January 2006)

''His Excellency'' Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum (4 January 2006 - 1 February 2008)

''His Highness'' Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai (1 February 2008 - present)

Honours

References

External links

Official Website

www.fazza3.ae

Non Official Fan Site

Non Official Site (news with video)

The 20 Hottest Young Royals - Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Forbes

www.acceleratedfreefall.com/blog/skydiving-with-the-prince-of-dubai.html

Category:1982 births Category:Current heirs apparent Category:Living people Category:Maktoum family Maktoum Category:United Arab Emirati princes

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Muhammad Hussein Ali Hassan is a citizen of Morocco who was held in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba. His Guantanamo Internment Serial Number is 123. Joint Task Force Guantanamo counter-terrorism analysts report he was born on December 16, 1966, in Selwan, Morocco.

Muhammad Hussein Ali Hassan was transferred to Morocco on February 7, 2006.

References

External links

The Guantánamo Files: Website Extras (1) – The Qala-i-Janghi Massacre Andy Worthington

Category:Living people Category:Guantanamo detainees known to have been released Category:1966 births Category:Moroccan people

Name	Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah शेख़ मुहम्मद अब्‍दुल्‍ला شيخ محمد عبدالله
Birth date	December 05, 1905
Birth place	Soura, Kashmir, British India
Death date	September 08, 1982
Death place	Srinagar, Kashmir, India
Office1	Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
Term start1	5 March 1948
Term end1	9 August 1953
Predecessor1	Mehr Chand Mahajan
Successor1	Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad
Office2	Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
Term start2	25 February 1975
Term end2	26 March 1977
Predecessor2	Syed Mir Qasim
Successor2	President's Rule
Term start3	9 July 1977
Term end3	8 September 1982
Predecessor3	President's Rule
Successor3	Farooq Abdullah
Nationality	Indian
Spouse	Begum Akbar Jahan Abdullah
Children	Farooq Abdullah
Alma mater	Islamia College Lahore, Aligarh Muslim University
Party	Jammu & Kashmir National Conference
Religion	Islam }}

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah (), Sher-e-Kashmir (the Lion of Kashmir) (December 5, 1905, Soura, Kashmir – September 8, 1982, Srinagar), was the leader of the National Conference, Kashmir's largest political party, and one of the most important political figures in the modern history of Jammu and Kashmir. In 1933 he married Akbar Jahan, the daughter of Michael Harry Nedou, the eldest son of the European proprietor of a chain of hotels in India including Nedous Hotel in Srinagar, and his Kashmiri wife Mirjan. Michael Harry Nedou was himself the proprietor of a hotel at the tourist resort of Gulmarg (The writer Tariq Ali claims that Akbar Jehan was previously married in 1928 to an Arab Karam Shah who disappeared after a Calcutta newspaper ''Liberty'' reported that he was actually T. E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) a British Intelligence officer. He claims that Akbar Jehan was divorced by her first husband in 1929.) He agitated against the rule of the Maharaja Hari Singh, and urged self-rule for Kashmir. He was the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir State after its provisional accession to India in 1947, and was later jailed and exiled. He again became the Chief Minister of the state following the 1974 Indira-Sheikh accord and remained in the top slot till his death on September 8, 1982.

Early life

The most important source of Sheikh Abdullah's early life is his official biography Atish e Chinar (In his foreword Sheikh Abdullah says it should be considered as his memoirs) and the main facts regarding it as given in Atish e Chinar (Urdu) are detailed below (See Chapter "Bachpan Aur Ibtadai Taleem" ''Atish e Chinar'' page 1-14 and "Ibtadai Azmaishain" page 15-22)

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah was born in soura, a village on the outskirts of Srinagar, just eleven days after the death of his father Sheikh Mohammed Ibrahim, a middle class manufacturer and trader of Kashmir shawls. In his own words he was born an orphan. Sheikh Ibrahim like the poet Iqbal was the descendant of a Hindu Kashmiri Pandit named Ragho Ram Koul who was converted to Islam in 1890 by the saint Rashid Balkhi and after conversion changed his name to Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. Thus Sheikh Abdullah was the namesake of the progenitor of his family branch.

According to Sheikh Abdullah, his step brother mistreated his mother and his early childhood was marked by utter poverty. His mother was keen that her children should receive proper education and so as a child he was first admitted to a traditional school or Maktab where he learnt the recitation of the Koran and some basic Persian texts like Gulistan of Sa'di, Bostan, Padshanama, etc. Then in 1911 he was admitted to a primary school where he studied for about two years. His elder step brothers then stopped his further education and he was first set to work in the family workshop embroidering shawls and later asked to sit on a grocers shop as a sales boy.

However, their family barber Mohammed Ramzan prevailed upon his uncle to send him back to school. He had to walk the distance of ten miles to school and back on foot but in his own words the joy of being allowed to obtain a school education made it seem a light work. He passed his Matriculation examination from Punjab University in 1922.

Higher studies

After matriculation he obtained admission in Sri Partap College the leading college of Kashmir. Because of extreme poverty he had to walk the distance of about fifteen miles from Soura to S.P.College and back and so developed Cardiomegaly (perhaps an early sign of beriberi brought about by malnutrition and severe exercise.) He was admitted to the Mission Hospital where under the treatment of the famous Neve brothers he recovered completely. His elder brother Sheikh Maqbool was moved by his illness and agreed to pay for his stay in the college hostel from where he passed his intermediate(F.Sc.) examination.

He obtained admission in Islamia College Lahore from where he completed his B.Sc.Degree. After that he obtained admission to the M.Sc. Chemistry course in Aligarh Muslim University and obtained Masters degree in Chemistry on 12 April 1930. He was the first Kashmiri Muslim to have obtained a Master's degree in Chemistry.

Political career

As a student at Aligarh Muslim University he came in contact with and was influenced by persons with liberal and progressive ideas. He became convinced that the feudal system was responsible for the miseries of the Kashmiris and like all progressive nations of the world Kashmir too should have a democratically elected government.

Muslim Conference formed

Sheikh Abdullah and his colleagues were greatly influenced by the lectures of a Kashmiri polymath and lawyer Molvi Abdullah. Molvi Abdullah's son Molvi Abdul Rahim, Sheikh Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Gilkar were the first three educated Kashmiri youth to be arrested during the public agitation of 1931.

Kashmir's first political party the Muslim Conference with Sheikh Abdullah as President, Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas as General Secretary, and Molvi Abdul Rahim as Secretary was formed on 16 October 1932. In his presidential address Sheikh Abdullah categorically stated that the Muslim Conference had come into existence to struggle for the rights of all oppressed sections of the society and not Muslims alone. It was not a communal party and would struggle for the rights of the oppressed, whether Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, with the same fervor. He reasserted that the struggle of Kashmiris was not a communal struggle.

In March 1933 the Muslim Conference constituted a committee which included Molvi Abdullah and nine other members for the purpose of establishing contacts with non-Muslim parties and exploring the possibility of forming a joint organisation. According to Sheikh Abdullah this effort was not successful because of the unfavourable reception of the idea by the non-Muslim parties. Sheikh Abdullah campaigned to change the name of the Muslim Conference to National Conference, under the influence of among others Jawaharlal Nehru.After a prolonged and vigorous campaign a special session of the Muslim Conference held in June 1939 voted to change the name of the party to National Conference.Of the one hundred and seventy six members attending the session one hundred and seventy two members voted in favour of the resolution... According to Sheikh Abdullah the support of Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas of Jammu was very important in motivating the members to vote for this change .

Formation of Praja Sabha (Legislative Assembly)

As a result of the 1931 agitation the Maharajah appointed a Grievances Commission with an Englishman B.J. Glancy as President which submitted its report in March 1932. Subsequently a Constitutional Reforms Conference also presided over by B.J. Glancy recommended the setting up of an elected Legislative Assembly (Praja Sabha). Consequently a Praja Sabha with 33 elected and 42 nominated members elected on the basis of separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims was established in 1934. Women and illiterate men without sufficient property, or title, or annual income of less than Rupees four hundred did not have the right to vote. Roughly less than 10% (according to Justice Anand only 3%) of the population were enfranchised.

Even after the formation of Praja Sabha in 1934 as recommended by the Commission real power continued to remain in the hands of the Maharajah.

Seventeen years later in 1951, the government of Kashmir with Sheikh Abdullah as Prime Minister held elections to a Constituent Assembly on the basis of universal adult suffrage. Sheikh Abdullah's Government had been accused of rigging in these elections to the Constituent Assembly. Nonetheless, due consideration should be given to the quantum leap in moving from elections with 10% of enfranchised population to universal adult suffrage and that too just after a cease fire from an active war.

Meeting with Nehru

Sheikh Abdullah was introduced to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1937 and as he too as a leader of the Indian National Congress was demanding similar rights for people of British India and had formed The All India States Peoples Conference for supporting the people of Princely States in their struggle for a representative government the two became friends and political allies.

Muslim Conference renamed as National Conference

He introduced a resolution in the working committee of the Muslim Conference for changing its name to National Conference on 24 June 1938 to allow people from all communities to join the struggle against the autocratic rule of the Maharaja. Meanwhile he along with his liberal progressive friends, many of whom were not Muslim like Kashyap Bandhu, Jia Lal Kilam, Pandit Sudama Sidha, Prem Nath Bazaz and Sardar Budh Singh drafted the National Demands the forerunner of the famous Naya Kashmir (New Kashmir) Manifesto (which was a charter of demands for granting a democratic constitution committed to the welfare of the common people of Kashmir)

He presented these demands to the Maharajah in a speech on 28 August 1938. The Maharajah of course was not willing to accept these demands and so he along with many of his companions was arrested for defying prohibitory orders and sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine. His arrest provoked a public agitation in which volunteers called Dictators (so called because they had the authority to defy laws that was forbidden for normal law abiding party members) courted arrest.This agitation was called off on the appeal of Mahatama Gandhi. He was released after serving his sentence on 24 February 1939 and accorded a grand reception by the people of Srinagar on his return. Speeches were made at the reception stressing the importance of unity among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Subsequently the resolution for changing the name of Muslim Conference to National Conference was ratified with an overwhelming majority by the General Council of the Muslim Conference on 11 June 1939 and from that date Muslim Conference became National Conference.

Quit Kashmir Agitation

In May 1946 Sheikh Abdullah launched the Quit Kashmir agitation against the Maharajah Hari Singh and was arrested and sentenced to three years imprisonment but was released only sixteen months later on 29 September 1947

(See ''Tehreek e Hurriyat e Kashmir'' By Rashid Taseer (Urdu) volume 2 page 29 for "National Demands" discussion and see Chapter 12 page 310-313 regarding presentation of "Naya Kashmir" Manifesto to Maharaja Hari Singh. Full text of "Naya Kashmir" manifesto is given from page 314 -383.English translation of this text is available at Wikisource. Also see relevant chapters from Atish e Chinar regarding 1931 agitation (Chapters 9, 10 and 11) Glancy Commission (Chapter 15) formation of Muslim Conference (Chapter 18) meeting with Nehru (Chapter 23), reasons for change in name of Muslim Conference to National Conference (Chapter 24) and becoming president of All India States Peoples Conference (Chapter 31). His arrest and subsequent release following the Quit Kashmir agitation is discussed in Chapter 34 page 372-389.)

Head of emergency administration

Hari Singh appealed to Lord Mountbatten of Burma the Governor-General of India for Indian military aid. In his Accession Offer dated October 26, 1947 which accompanied The Instrument of Accession duly signed by him, the Maharaja Hari Singh wrote "I may also inform your Excellency's Government that it is my intention at once to set up an interim Government and ask Shaikh Abdullah to carry the responsibilities in this emergency with my Prime Minister."

Lord Mountbatten accepted the accession after a meeting of the Defence Committee on October 26, 1947. In accepting the accession unconditionally he wrote "I do hereby accept this Instrument of Accession. Dated this twenty seventh day of October, nineteen hundred and forty seven". In the covering letter to Hari Singh. he wrote "In consistence with their policy that in the case of any State where the issue of accession has been the subject of dispute, the question of accession should be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of the State, it is my Government's wish that, as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and its soil cleared of the invader, the question of the State's accession should be settled by a reference to the people". Also in his letter to the Maharaja Lord Mountbatten wrote "My Government and I note with satisfaction that your Highness has decided to invite Sheikh Abdullah to form an Interim Government to work with your Prime Minister. The support of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru the Prime Minister of India was a key factor in getting Sheikh Abdullah appointed as Head of the emergency administration by the Maharaja.

As a consequence, Sheikh Abdullah was appointed head of an emergency administration by an order issued by the Maharaja which was undated except for the mention October 1947 in place of the date. He took charge as Head of the Emergency Administration on 30 October 1947. After assuming the charge of the Head of the emergency administration, he addressing his first meeting with the government officers said "Pakistan is not our enemy and we have the same respect for Mr Jinnah that we had previously. We want the Kashmir issue to be settled by Dialog and if for this purpose I have to go to Karachi to meet Mr Jinnah I am willing to go there".

He raised a force of local Kashmiri volunteers to patrol Srinagar and take control of administration after the flight of the Maharaja along with his family and Prime Minister Meher Chand Mahajan to Jammu even before the Indian troops had landed. This group of volunteers would serve as the nucleus for the subsequent formation of Jammu and Kashmir Militia. This Sheikh Abdullah hoped would take over the defence of Kashmir after the Indian army was withdrawn. This was articulated in his letter to Sardar Patel dated 7 October 1948 in which he wrote, "With the taking over of the State forces by the Indian Government, it was agreed that steps would be taken to reorganise and rebuild our army so that when the present emergency is over and the Indian forces are withdrawn the State will be left with a proper organised army of its own to fall back upon." (Sheikh Abdullah has alleged that most of the Muslim soldiers of the Militia were either discharged or imprisoned before his arrest in 1953. The Militia (dubbed as Dagan Brigade) was converted from a State Militia to a regular unit of the Indian Army on 2 December 1972 and re designated the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry)

The UN Security Council brokered a ceasefire among the warring parties(which came into effect before midnight 1 January 1949) having passed a resolution demanding settlement of the question of Kashmir's accession to India or Pakistan by a plebiscite to be held under the auspices of the United Nations (Resolution 47 dated 21 April 1948 and UNCIP resolution dated 13 August 1948).

However, because of wrangling between India and Pakistan, this resolution remains unimplemented.

Prime Minister

Sheikh Abdullah took oath as Prime Minister of Kashmir on March 17, 1948.

Pakistani view

The government of Pakistan in 1947 viewed Abdullah and his party as agents of Nehru and did not recognise his leadership of Kashmir. However there was a change in Pakistan's viewpoint with the passage of time. When he visited Pakistan in 1964 he was awarded a tumultuous welcome by the people of Pakistan. Among the persons who received him was Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas his once colleague and later bitter political enemy who earlier in his book ''Kashmakash'' had denounced Sheikh Abdullah as a turncoat and traitor. Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas embraced him and in his speech described him as one of the greatest leaders of the subcontinent and a great benefactor of the Muslims of the subcontinent. President Ayub Khan and his then Foreign minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto discussed the Kashmir problem with him. The government of Pakistan treated him as a state guest. Sheikh Abdullah had the rare distinction of having poems in his praise written by three major Pakistani Urdu poets namely Hafeez Jullundhri, Josh and Faiz Ahmed Faiz who admired his lifelong struggle against injustice and for democratic rights of the common man.

Arrest and release

On 8 August 1953 he was dismissed as Prime Minister by the then Sadr-i-Riyasat (Constitutional Head of State) Dr. Karan Singh son of the erstwhile Maharajah Hari Singh on the charge that he had lost the confidence of his cabinet (not the house) He was denied the opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the house. and his dissident cabinet minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed was appointed as Prime Minister. Sheikh Abdullah was immediately arrested and later jailed for eleven years, accused of conspiracy against the State in the infamous "Kashmir Conspiracy Case".

According to Sheikh Abdullah his dismissal and arrest were engineered by the central government headed by Prime Minister Nehru. He has quoted B.N. Mullicks' statements in his book "My Years with Nehru" in support of his statement. A.G.Noorani writing in Frontline supports this view,as according to him Nehru himself ordered the arrest. On 8 April 1964 the State Government dropped all charges in the so called "Kashmir Conspiracy Case". Sheikh Abdullah was released and returned to Srinagar where he was accorded an unprecedented welcome by the people of the valley".

After his release he was reconciled with Nehru. Nehru requested Sheikh Abdullah to act as a bridge between India and Pakistan and make President Ayub to agree to come to New Delhi for talks for a final solution of the Kashmir problem. President Ayub Khan also sent telegrams to Nehru and Sheikh Abdullah with the message that as Pakistan too was a party to the Kashmir dispute any resolution of the conflict without its participation would not be acceptable to Pakistan. This paved the way for Sheikh Abdullah's visit to Pakistan to help broker a solution to the Kashmir problem.

Sheikh Abdullah went to Pakistan in spring of 1964. President Ayub Khan of Pakistan held extensive talks with him to explore various avenues for solving the Kashmir problem and agreed to come to Delhi in mid June for talks with Nehru as suggested by him. Even the date of his proposed visit was fixed and communicated to New Delhi. On 27 May while he was en route to Muzaffarabad in Pakistani Administered Kashmir news came of the sudden death of Nehru and the Sheikh after addressing a public rally at Muzaffarabad returned to Delhi. On his suggestion President Ayub Khan sent a high level Pakistani delegation led by his Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto along with him to take part in the last rites of Jawaharlal Nehru.

After Nehru's death in 1964, he was interned from 1965 to 1968 and exiled from Kashmir in 1971 for 18 months. The Plebiscite Front was also banned. This was allegedly done to prevent him and the Plebiscite Front which was supported by him from taking part in elections in Kashmir.

After Indo Pakistan war and creation of Bangladesh

In 1971 an insurrection broke out in erstwhile East Pakistan, and subsequently war broke out between India and Pakistan which ended in the creation of Bangladesh. Sheikh Abdullah watching the alarming turn of events in the subcontinent realized that for the survival of this region there was an urgent need to stop pursuing confrontational politics and promoting solution of issues by a process of reconciliation and dialogue rather than confrontation.

If this was not done there was imminent danger of the breakup and balkanisation of both India and Pakistan with disastrous consequences for the people of this region. Realizing this he started talks with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for normalizing the situation in the region and came to an accord called 1974 Indira-Sheikh accord with Indira Gandhi, then India's Prime Minister, by giving up the demand for a plebiscite in lieu of the people being given the right to self rule by a democratically elected Government (as envisaged under article 370 of the Constitution of India) rather than the puppet government which till then ruled the State.

Chief Minister

He assumed the position of Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. Unfortunately the Central Government and the ruling Congress Party withdrew its support so that the State Assembly had to be dissolved and mid term elections called.

The National Conference won an overwhelming majority in the subsequent elections and reelected Sheikh Abdullah as Chief Minister. He remained as Chief Minister till his death in 1982. During his brief tenure as Chief Minister he tried to develop close ties between the three regions of the State namely Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. He also attempted to promote infrastructural development in the State and built the prestigious Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and a Convention Centre (SKICC) built to international standards so as to promote Medical and Business tourism in the valley.

Abdullah, described as a six feet four inches (1.93m) to six feet six inches (1.98m) tall man, was fluent in both Kashmiri and Urdu. His biography in Urdu entitled ''Atish-e-Chinar'' was written by the noted Kashmiri author M.Y.Taing and published after Sheikh Abdullah's death. It is often referred to as his autobiography as Taing claimed that he only acted as an amanuensis. It is based on extensive interviews that Taing had with Sheikh Abdullah and provides valuable information on Sheikh Abdullah's family background, early life, ringside glimpses of happenings in Kashmir at a crucial juncture in its history, and his viewpoint about the political events in Kashmir in which he himself played a central role.

After his death his eldest son Dr. Farooq Abdullah was elected as the Chief Minister of the State. Omar Abdullah who is the son of Farooq Abdullah has also emerged as an important political leader of the National Conference. He is the present chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

see also

List of political families

Notes

References

A.G. Noorani (2000), "Article370: Law and Politics". ''Frontline'' Volume 17 - Issue 19, September 16–29, (Discusses illegality of Central Govt and Parliament's Actions in amending Article 370 without concurrence of Constituent Assembly of Kashmir)

A.G. Noorani (2006), "Nehru's legacy in foreign affairs". ''Frontline'' Volume Volume 23 - Issue 15 :: July 29 August 11, 2006 (Discusses Nehru's role in arrest of Sheikh Abdullah and erosion of Article 370)

B.N.Mullick (1972): ''My Years with Nehru'' (Provides evidence of Nehru's role in dismissal and arrest of Sheikh Abdullah.B.N.Mullick was head of Indian Intelligence Bureau at the time of his arrest)

Justice A.S. Anand (2006) ''The Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir''. Universal Law Publishing Co. ISBN 81-7534-520-9

Rasheed Taseer (1973): ''Tareekh e Hurriyat e Kashmir'' (URDU). Muhafiz Publications Srinagar Volume 2 gives an account of evnts in Kashmir from 1932 to 1946 as seen by a local journalist.

Sandeep Bamzai (2006): ''Bonfire of Kashmiryat'' Rupa & Co. New Delhi. ISBN 81-291-1060-1

Sheikh Abdullah; M.Y.Taing (1985) Atish-e-Chinar (URDU). Shaukat Publications Srinagar (Often referred to as his autobiography. It has not been copyrighted in deference to Sheikh Abdullah's wishes)

Tariq Ali (2003): ''The Clash of Fundamentalism''. Verso Books. London.ISBN 978 1 85984 457 1

Syed Taffazull Hussain (2008): ''Sheikh Abdullah - A biography''. Wordclay. Indianapolis.IN. ISBN 978 1 60481 3098

APHC: White Paper On Elections in Kashmir (undated): (retrieved on 5 Nov 2008)

Hussain Haqqani (2005): ''Pakistan Between Mosque and Military''. Vanguard Books. Lahore. ISBN 969 402 498 6

Baba Pyare Lal Bedi, Freda Marie (Houlston) Bedi (1949): ''Sheikh Abdullah: his life and ideals''

''New York Times'' reports

''The New York Times'' published a total of 132 reports regarding Sheikh Abdullah from 1947 till his death in 1982. Some of the more important reports covering important events in his career are listed below.

"OFFENSIVE IS FORECAST", (1948) ''The New York Times'' January 11, 1948

" KASHMIR CHIEF HITS PAKISTAN IN U.N.; Moslem Sheikh Abdullah in Speech to Security Unit Holds Hitler soul transmigrated to Pakistan" (1948), ''The New York Times'' February 6

"KASHMIR SETS UP A 'POPULAR' REGIME; Ruler Names Sheikh Abdullah Premier, Nehru Reports – Democratic Rule Pledged" (1948) ''The New York Times'' March 6

"ISSUE OF RELIGION VITAL IN KASHMIR; Moslem Public Would Vote for Pakistan – Their Pro-Indian Leader Is Losing Ground" (1948) ''The New York Times'' August 25

"PRIME MINISTER OF KASHMIR HERE" (1949) ''The New York Times'' December 16

"KASHMIR ASSEMBLY POLL CALLED IRREGULAR AS PRO-INDIANS GAIN 58 SEATS BY DEFAULT" (1951) ''The New York Times'' September 28

"KASHMIR FATE HELD UP TO LEGISLATURE; Accession Choice of Srinagar Congress, Not of U. N., Pakistan or India, Party Chief Says People to Decide Future Hold Matter of Prestige" (1951) ''The New York Times'' November 1

"KIDNAP PLOT LAID TO PAKISTANI" (1951) ''The New York Times'' November 19

"KASHMIR MAHARAJAH STRIPPED OF POWERS" (1951) ''The New York Times'' November 22

KASHMIR CONFISCATES ALL LARGE ESTATES (1952) ''The New York Times'' April 1

"CLAIM BY KASHMIR UPSETS NEW DELHI; Assertions of Sovereignty by Premier Seen Set to Coincide with Report by Graham" (1952)''The New York Times'' April 12

A CENTURY OF MAHARAJAHS COMES TO AN END IN KASHMIR (1952) ''The New York Times'' August 22

NEHRU SAYS INDIAN EXTREMISTS SPUR RIOTING IN JAMMU IN SUBVERSIVE MOVE AGAINST SHEIKH (1952) ''The New York Times'' December 13

ABDULLAH'S FOES RIOT AT KASHMIR ASSEMBLY (1953) ''The New York Times'' March 26

KASHMIR'S REGIME SPLIT ON INDIA TIE; Premier, Once a Firm Backer of Accession, Voices Doubts – Rifts With Nehru Reported (1953) ''The New York Times'' August 3

ABDULLAH OUSTED AS KASHMIR CHIEF; Formerly Pro-Indian Premier Is Dismissed Over New View on New Delhi Control (1953) ''The New York Times'' August 9

JAILED KASHMIRI DENOUNCES INDIA; Sheikh Abdullah in Letter to U.N. Charges New Delhi With Repression Indians Warn of 'Plant' (1957) ''The New York Times'' August January 16

SHEIKH ABDULLAH FREED IN KASHMIR; Sheikh Abdullah, 'Kashmir Lion,' Is Freed After 4 Years in Jail; Former Leader, Imprisoned for Suspected Shift From India, Emerges Strong (1958) ''The New York Times'' January 9

ABDULLAH TERMS PLEBISCITE VITAL; Tells Kashmiris It Is Up to Them to Decide to Join India or Pakistan (1958) ''The New York Times'' January 14

KASHMIRI EX-LEADER BACKS PAKISTANI TIE (1958) ''The New York Times'' February 1

SHEIKH ABDULLAH IS BACK IN PRISON; Sheikh Abdullah Is Rearrested By Kashmir Police as 'Hazard'; Former Prime Minister Held Without Charge – Warns Nehru on Indian Role ''The New York Times'' May 1

Kashmir's "Lion" on Trial (1958) ''The New York Times'' October 26

MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH DIES; LED INDIA'S STATE OF KASHMIR (1982) ''The New York Times'' September 9

See also

Discussion

List of Kashmiris

History of Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir conflict

Instrument of Accession (Jammu and Kashmir)

Kashmiriyat - a socio-cultural ethos of religious harmony and Kashmiri consciousness.

Political Parties in Kashmir in 1947

List of topics on the land and the people of "Jammu and Kashmir"

External links

Proclamation of May 1, 1951 on Jammu & Kashmir Constituent Assembly by Yuvraj (Crown Prince) Karan Singh from the Official website of Government of Jammu and Kashmir, India

University of California at Berkeley Library Bibliographies and Web-Bibliographies list">Conflict in Kashmir: Selected Internet Resources by the Library, University of California, Berkeley, USA; University of California at Berkeley Library Bibliographies and Web-Bibliographies list

English Daily from Kashmir

More than hundred and fifty historical documents on Kashmir

/ Historical documents on Jammu and Kashmir collection of Prof. Vincent Ferraro, Mt. Holyoke College

Eyewitness account of events in Jammu in 1947 which led to removal of Meher Chand Mahajan as Prime Minister and his replacement by Sheikh Abdullah.

Report in ''The Nation'' giving details of Akbar Jehans family and first marriage purportedly with Lawrence of Arabia

http://books.google.com/books?id=CWjLtfi-ssIC&pg;=PA321&lpg;=PA321&dq;=heavily+guarded+sheikh+abdullahs+grave&source;=web&ots;=_vrjSk02Iy&sig;=YsUfSMVzG5lAm-lowkO2PtSMVMc&hl;=en&sa;=X&oi;=book_result&resnum;=1&ct;=result

http://www.chowk.com/articles/5304

http://www.ummah.net/kashmir/docs/ody7.htm

Category:Politics of Jammu and Kashmir Category:History of Jammu and Kashmir Category:Kashmir Category:Indian politicians Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni Category:1905 births Category:1982 deaths Category:Jammu and Kashmir politicians Category:Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir Category:Kashmiri people Category:Members of Constituent Assembly of India Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan Category:Jammu & Kashmir National Conference politicians

cs:Muhamad Abdulláh de:Mohammed Abdullah es:Mohammed Abdullah eo:Mohammed Abdullah fr:Cheikh Abdullah ks:शेख अब्‍दुल्‍ला pl:Muhammad Abdullah sv:Shejk Muhammed Abdullah