Sheikh (pronounced  /ˈʃiːk/ SHEEK or /ˈʃeɪk/ SHAYK; Arabic: شيخ‎ šayḫ, mostly pronounced [ʃeːx], plural شيوخ šuyūḫ) — also spelled Sheik or Shaikh, or transliterated as Shaykh — is an honorific in the Arabic language that literally means "elder" and carries the meaning "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 are uncommon in the Arabic world. A sheikh who is wise is called ḥakīm adjective (wise) حكيم‎, ḥākim noun (governor) حاكم‎, yaḥkum verb (govern) يحكم‎; and can govern. The scholar sheikh here can govern but cannot lead directly because the leader is the imam which is based upon the Qur'an and authentic Sunnah; on the other hand the family sheikh can always lead but cannot govern unless he is wise. Although the title generally refers to a male, a very small number of female sheikhs have also existed.^{[citation needed]}

It also refers generally to a man over forty^[1] or fifty^[2] 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.^[1] The word sheikh under this meaning is a synonym of Alim, pl. Ulama (a learned person in Islam, a scholar),^[3] Mawlawi, Mawlānā, Muhaddith, Faqīh, Qadi, Mufti, Hadhrat or Hafiz.

Etymology and meaning[link]

The classical image of a 'sheikh': Sheikh Sattam de Haddadin of Palmyra, by Russian painter Alexandr Evgenievich Yacovleff.

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[link]

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[link]

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[link]

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, they were also responsible for mobilizing their kinsmen in the event of war.^[4]

Turkey[link]

In the Turkish language, the form Şeyh is used. Means religious leader of a tariqah branch.

Lebanon[link]

In Lebanon, the noble title of Sheikh was introduced in the beginning of the 16th century, when the Ottomans invaded the region and set a Prince for Lebanon (Fakhr-al-Din al-Maani was the first Prince of Lebanon), and Sheikhs replaced the previous noble title: Moukaddam, the known nobles before the 16th century. The Sheikh title was commonly used when addressing mainly the members of the traditional noble Maronite Christians families (Al-Daher in Akkar, Al-Khazen in Kesserwan, Al Khoury in Rechmaya El Metn, Al Dahdah in Jbeil, Hobeich in Ftouh Kesserwan, Tarabay in Jurd El Batroun, Gemayel in Bekfaya El Metn, Germanos in Jurd Jbeil, Al Hachem in Akoura, Al Doueihy in Zgharta, Al Saad in Aley...) but also Druzes in the southern part of Mount Lebanon (Joumblatt, Talhouk, Abd El Malek) and Shiites (Hamadeh in Jbeil). The term Sheikh was bestowed by the Emir (Prince) of Lebanon in a "Faramen of Mashiakha" allowing the persons in charge to represent the Emir in respective geographic parts of the Old Lebanon (the actual Mount Lebanon, and North Lebanon, excepting Tripoli city), their official duty was to collect the Mireh (Tax that was collected and offered to the Ottomans). Sheikhs were also considered as the political representatives and allies of the Prince, they recruited soldiers in times of war and commanded sections of the Prince army; their prestigious titles allowed them also to own large pieces of lands in the areas they represented. However, it was notable that ordinary people in the Emirate did have the right to land ownership and therefore economical autonomy, while many worked in the large lands of the Sheikhs. This title was naturally inherited, unless the Prince seize it and nominates another person from the same or other family, this situation happened few times in history when a new Prince takes over power. The Sheikhs official title became obsolete when the Prince effective ruling was vanished by the Ottomans in 1840 and the executive ruling was replaced by the Kaamakamiatein system of ruling. After this date, the name remained just as a honorable title. In the modern Lebanon, four presidents of the Republic are descendants from these traditional families: Sheikh Habib Pacha Es-Saad (was also a prime minister during the french Mandate), Sheikh Bechara El Khoury, Sheikh Bachir Gemayel and Sheikh Amine Gemayel. Also political leaders such as Walid Jumblatt, or Parliament previous or actual members such as: Estephane El Doueihi in Zgharta, Rushayd el Khazen Farid Haykal El Khazen Dr Farid El Khazen in Keserwan, Gabriel Germanos Nohad Germanos Soueid in Jbeil, Maurice Gemayel Pierre Gemayel Sami Gemayel in Metn, Fawzi Hobeich Hadi Hobeich in Akkar, Fouad Saad in Aley, and many others not listed here.

South Asia[link]

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 brahmins, rajput or gujjar communities 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[link]

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.

Religious usage[link]

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. In Somalia it revers to all learned men, in relegious way, mostly do they have also political might in their town/city or clan.

For women[link]

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

Surname[link]

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

See also[link]

• Kashmiri Shaikh
• Khawaja Shaikh
• Punjabi Shaikh
• Qallu
• Qanungoh Shaikh
• Quraishi
• Shaikh (caste)
• Siddiqui
• Sindhi Shaikh

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Shaikh Siddiqui
• Shaikportal.com
• History of El Douaihy
• History of the Maronites and Lebanon
• "History of Lebanon" by Kamal Salibi

HH The Emir Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم
Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates
Incumbent
Assumed office 5 January 2006 Acting until 11 February 2006
President	Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
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–)
Preceded by	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
1st Minister of Defense of the United Arab Emirates
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1971
President	Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Prime Minister	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Emir of Dubai
Incumbent
Assumed office 4 January 2006
Deputy	Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Preceded by	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Crown Prince of Dubai
In office 4 January 1995 – 4 January 2006
Monarch	Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Succeeded by	Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Personal details
Born	(1949-07-22) 22 July 1949 (age 62) Dubai, Trucial States
Religion	Sunni Islam
Father	Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Heir Apparent	Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم; Muḥammad bin Rāshid al Maktūm), also Sheikh Mohammed, (born July 22, 1949), is the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and constitutional monarch of Dubai.^[1]

Early life and education[link]

He is the third of Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum's four sons (members of Dubai's ruling family Al Maktoum and descendants of the House of Al-Falasi, of which he is the tribal leader^[2]). From the age of four, Sheikh Mohammed was privately tutored in Arabic and Islamic Studies. In 1955, he began his formal education at Al Ahmedia School. At the age of 10, he moved to Al Shaab School, and two years later, he went to Dubai Secondary School. In 1966, he and his cousin, Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al-Maktoum, attended the Bell Educational Trust's English Language School in the United Kingdom.^{[citation needed]}

Marriage and family[link]

His senior wife is Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum whom he married in 1979.

His best-known junior wife is HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, daughter of King Hussein of Jordan and half-sister of current King Abdullah II of Jordan, whom he married on April 10, 2004, and with whom he has two children, a daughter, Al-Jalila, born December 2, 2007 and a son, Zayed, born January 7, 2012.^[3][4][5] Sheikh Mohammed announced the arrival of his son Zayed on Twitter.^[6]

Sheikh Mohammed has 21 officially acknowledged children, eight sons and thirteen daughters, whom his heir and three daughters married with Middle East royalties :

• HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, married to HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi
• HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, married to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah
• HH Sheikha Shaikha Bint Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum married to HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain

Sporting and cultural interests[link]

Al Maktoum, his sons, and his daughters are known to be avid enthusiasts of traditional Arabic poems and arts, and take part in projects to aid developing countries such as Jordan, Egypt, the Palestinian Authority and Yemen. He writes poetry in Nabati (colloquial Arabic.) ^[7]

They are also sport enthusiasts, especially in horse and camel racing. For example, in the 15th Asian Games in 2006, his son Rashid took the individual gold in Endurance, his sons Rashid, Ahmed, Majid, and Hamdan took the team gold in Endurance,^[8] his niece Latifa took a bronze in Show Jumping,^[9] and his daughter Maitha led the UAE team in taekwondo .^[10]

Thoroughbred horse racing[link]

Racing silks of Sheikh Mohammed

Sheikh Mohammed is a major figure in international thoroughbred horse racing and breeding. In late 1981, he purchased Gainsborough Stud at Woolton Hill, near Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom. He owns Ballysheehan Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland. He also owns Gainsborough Farms Inc in Versailles, Kentucky, United States. His racing operations includes the ownership of Darley Stables and he is the leading partner in his family's Godolphin Stables. Sheikh Mohammed hosts the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest series of horse races.^{[citation needed]}

In the UK, his horses have won numerous important Group One races including several of the British Classic Races. His horses have also won the Irish Derby Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and in the United States the 2006 Preakness Stakes with Bernardini.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, he bought the Woodlands Stud empire for more than $460 million.^[11]

Political and business career[link]

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.^[12]

After roughly a decade of de facto rulership,^[13] 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.^{[citation needed]}

Net worth[link]

Dubai Princely Family

HH The Emir Sheikh HH Sheikha Hind HH The Hereditary Prince HH Sheikha Hassa HH Sheikh Rashid HH Sheikh Maktoum HH Sheikh Ahmed HH Sheikh Saeed HH Sheikha Latifa HH Sheikha Maryam HH Sheikha Sheikha HH Sheikha Futaim HH Sheikha Salamah HH Sheikha Shamma other wives HH Sheikha Manal HH Sheikha Maitha HH Sheikh Majed HH Sheikh Mansour HH Sheikha Shamsa HH Sheikha Mahra and 2 unknown HRH Princess Haya of Jordan HH Sheikha Al Jalila HH Sheikh Zayed HH Sheikh Maktoum HH Sheikh Saeed HH Sheikh Rashid HH Sheikh Hamdan HH Rashid HH Saeed HH Maktoum HH Sheikh Ahmed HH Sheikh Mohammed

This box: view talk edit

His family wealth in March 2012 is estimated at USD$ 79.5 billion by Forbes magazine.^{[citation needed]}

Charity[link]

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been known for his vast charitable donations. On May 19, 2007, he announced plans to give 10 billion USD to set up the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, an educational foundation in the Middle East.^[14] Sheikh Mohammed stated that the money is meant to bridge the knowledge gap between the Arab region and the developed world. The announcement was made at the 2007 World Economic Forum in Jordan.

Dubai Cares[link]

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 1.65 billion (Approximately US$ 450 million).^{[citation needed]}

Noor Dubai[link]

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.^{[citation needed]}

Controversies[link]

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.^[15]

Since 2000, international equestrian athletes affiliated with UNICEF have worked to end the "scourge of modern slavery in mounted sports,"^[16] 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.^[17] 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”.^[18]

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.^{[19][20][21][22]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[23]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• 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

External links[link]

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's official site
• The Official Website of the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates
• 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
• Photos of Dubai - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's yacht—largest in the world

v t e Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum • Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum • Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum • Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ahmad Ali Jaber (Arabic: أحمد علي جابر‎) (born 2 August 1982 in Baghdad, Iraq) is an Iraqi football goalkeeper. He is part of the Iraq national football team and still plays for Al-Zawraa in Iraq. He played in all four of Iraq’s matches in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. However, he finished the campaign on a low, having been sent off in the quarter-finals against China after lashing out at China’s Sun Jihai. After losing his place to Noor Sabri in the 2004 Olympic Games, the Al Zawra’a goalkeeper returned to the national team in the Gulf Cup in the same year. He had a brief spell with Sanat Naft in Iran before returning to Al Zawra’a. On 16 September, he was released along with seven other players by Arbil FC.

Honours[link]

Country[link]

• 2007 Asian Cup winners

External links[link]

• Ahmad Ali Jaber at National-Football-Teams.com
• Iraq squad on AFC Asian Cup website

v t e Iraq squad – 2004 AFC Asian Cup 1 Oday 2 Attiya 3 Bassim 4 H. Abdul-Jabar 5 {{{p5}}} 6 Sadir 7 Emad 8 Abu Al-Hail 9 R. Farhan 10 Younis 11 Hawar 12 H. Abdul-Razzaq 13 Sabah 14 H. Abdul-Amir 15 Hassan 16 Mnajed 17 A. Salah 18 Mahdi 19 Nashat 21 Ahmad Ali 22 Noor 23 Raad Coach: Adnan Hamad

v t e Iraq squad – 2007 AFC Asian Cup Winners (1st Title) 1 Ahmad Ali 2 Ghulam 3 Bassim 4 Khaldoun 5 Nashat 6 Sadir 7 Ali Abbas 8 Kobi 9 Nasser 10 Younis 11 Hawar 12 H. Abdul-Razzaq 13 Karrar 14 H. Abdul-Amir 15 Rehema 16 Mnajed 17 Luay 18 Mahdi 19 Haitham 20 Nabeel 22 Noor 23 M. Gassid Coach: Vieira

This biographical article related to Iraqi association football is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Abdirahman Mohamud Nur عبد الرحمن محمود نور
President of Somalia
Incumbent
Assumed office 16 September 2012
Prime Minister	Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo
Preceded by	Abukar Ahmed Hassan (Acting)
Chairman of the Peace and Development Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 20 April 2011
Preceded by	Office established
Personal details
Born	(1955-11-29) 29 November 1955 (age 57) Jalalaqsi, Trust Territory of Somalia
Political party	Peace and Development Party (2011–present)
Other political affiliations	Independent (Before 2011)
Alma mater	Somali National University Bhopal University
Religion	Sunni Islam

Abdirahman Mohamud Nur (Somali: Cabdiraxmaan Maxamuud Nuur, Arabic: عبد الرحمن محمود نور‎) (born 29 November 1955) is a Somali politician. He is the President of Somalia, having been elected on 10 September 2012 and inaugurated six days later. A civil and political activist, Mohamud was previously a university professor and dean.^[1] He is also the founder and Chairman of the Peace and Development Party.

Background[link]

Personal life[link]

Mohamud was born in 1955 in Jalalaqsi, a small agricultural town situated in the central Hiran of present-day Somalia, during the trusteeship period.^[2] He is a member of the Abgaal Hawiye clan,^[3] and comes from a middle class background.^[4]

Mohamud is married and has children.^[5] He speaks Somali and English.^[6]

Education[link]

Mohamud finished basic secular and Islamic instruction in his hometown.^[2] In 1978, he relocated to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. He studied for three years at the local Somali National University, earning an undergraduate diploma in technology in 1981.^[2][5]

Mohamud moved to India in 1986 and attended Bhopal University (now Barkatullah University). There, he completed a master's degree in technical education in 1988.^[5]

Early career[link]

In a professional capacity, Mohamud accepted a position as a professor at the Somali National University in 1981.^[7]

When the civil war broke out in the early 1990s, he remained in Somalia and acted as a consultant with various NGOs, UN bureaus, and peace and development projects.^[7] Mohamud worked as an education officer for UNICEF in the central and southern parts of the country from 1993 to 1995. In 1999, he also co-established the Somali Institute of Management and Administration (SIMAD) in the capital. The institution subsequently grew into the SIMAD University, with Mohamud acting as dean until 2010.^[6]

Mohamud entered Somali politics the following year, when he established the independent Peace and Development Party (PDP).^[6] PDP members unanimously elected him as the party's chairman in April 2011, with a mandate to serve as leader for the next three years.^[8]

In August 2012, Mohamud was selected as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the newly-formed Federal Parliament of Somalia.^[7] Besides academic and civic work, he is also a successful entrepreneur.^[9]

Philanthropy[link]

Mohamud has ties with Al-Islah, Somalia's branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.^[7] With the organisation, he assisted in various philanthropic initiatives, including the construction of primary and secondary schools, plus university facilities and research hospitals in regions across the country. The network has also offered scholarships for higher studies and placements in educational institutions to many students.^[2]

President of Somalia[link]

Elections[link]

On 10 September 2012, legislators elected Mohamud President of Somalia during the country's 2012 presidential elections.^[10] Members of parliament marked their ballot papers behind a curtain before casting them in a clear box in front of foreign envoys and hundreds of Somali men and women as well as being broadcast live on television. After the first round of voting, former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed emerged as the frontrunner, amassing 64 votes. Mohamud was a close second with 60 votes, and Prime Minister Abdiweli Mohamed Ali placed third with 32 votes.^[11] Along with the fourth place finisher Abdiqadir Osoble, Ali later chose to drop out ahead of the second round.^[11] Both challengers, along with the other hopefuls that were vying for the post, thereafter reportedly instructed their supporters to back Mohamud's candidacy.^[12] Mohamud went on to earn a lopsided win in the final round, defeating Ahmed 71–29% (190 votes vs. 79 votes).^[3]

President Mohamud speaking with the Somali press.

Immediately after the final ballot results had been read out, Mohamud was sworn into office.^[7] Lawmakers began singing Somalia's national anthem, and Mogadishu's residents also expressed satisfaction at the outcome, viewing it as a moment of change.^[13]

In his acceptance speech, President Mohamud thanked the general Somali populace, the Federal Parliament, as well as the other challengers. He also voiced support for the ongoing post-conflict reconstruction efforts in Somalia and indicated that he was prepared to work closely with the international community.^[3]

Additionally, Ahmed congratulated Mohamud on his victory and pledged to cooperate with the new head of state.^[3] Prime Minister Ali touted the selection as the start of a new era in Somali politics.^[14] Abdirahman Mohamud Farole, President of the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern Somalia, also thanked Mohamud, the Somali people, and all of the other stakeholders that were involved in the Roadmap political process, which ultimately led to the presidential election and the end of the transitional period.^[3]

Mohamud's appointment was welcomed throughout the world. The UN Special Representative for Somalia Augustine Mahiga issued a statement describing the election as a "great step forward on the path to peace and prosperity[...] Somalia has proved the doubters wrong and sent a powerful message of progress to all of Africa and indeed to the entire world". Similarly, the AU Commission for Somalia hailed the selection and pledged to support the new leadership.^[15] British Prime Minister David Cameron and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton also extended their congratulations, echoing the general sentiment that the election represented a significant achievement.^[7] The United States government in turn released a press statement felicitating Mohamud on his victory, which it qualified as "an important milestone for the people of Somalia, and a crucial step forward along the path of building a representative government". It also urged the Somali authorities to build on this momentum, and promised to continue partnering with the Somali government.^[16] In addition, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cabled a message of congratulations to Somalia's new head of state, as did the UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as well as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.^[17]

On 16 September 2012, Mohamud was formally inaugurated as President of Somalia at a ceremony attended by various foreign leaders and dignitaries. UN Special Envoy to Somalia Mahiga described the moment as the beginning of a "new era" for the nation as well as the conclusion of the transitional period.^[18]

Targeted attack[link]

On 12 September 2012, while President Mohamud was meeting with foreign delegates in Mogadishu, two suicide bombers and two gunmen dressed in government uniforms attempted an attack on the Jazeera Hotel where the dignitaries had convened. There were reportedly around 10 casualties, among which were three Somali security detail, one AU peacekeeper, and the assailants themselves.^[19] None of the assembled statesmen, including Kenyan Foreign Minister Sam Ongeri, were harmed.^[20] Seemingly unfazed by the incidents, President Mohamud continued his speech before the gathered press and foreign officials, stating that "things like what's happening now outside will continue for some time, but I'm sure and I'm confident it's the last things that's taking place here in Somalia[...] We have been hearing such events frequently, but this is a special case. We didn't hear it for the last couple of months even."^[21] He added that "first and foremost we will address the security issue. Priority number one is security and priority number two and priority number three."^[14] The Al-Shabaab militant group later claimed responsibility for the attacks. According to Somali government officials, AU forces have assumed responsibility for President Mohamud's security while investigations are launched into the incidents.^[19]

Cabinet[link]

On 6 October 2012, President Mohamud appointed political newcomer Abdi Farah Shirdon as the new Prime Minister of Somalia.^[22] On 4 November 2012, Shirdon named a new Cabinet,^[23] which was later endorsed by the legislature on 13 November 2012.^[24]

Re-establishment of formal diplomatic ties[link]

In January 2013, President Mohamud met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other American federal officials in Washington, D.C. to discuss bilateral cooperation. The meeting concluded with an announcement by the U.S. federal authorities that the United States was set to exchange diplomatic notes with the new central government of Somalia, re-establishing official ties with the country for the first time in 20 years. According to U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Johnny Carson, the decision was made in recognition of the significant progress that the Somali authorities had achieved on both the political and war fronts. The move is expected to grant the Somali government access to new sources of development funds from American agencies as well as international bodies like the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, thereby facilitating the ongoing reconstruction process.^[25][26]

References[link]

External links[link]

• SIMAD University
• Hassan Sheikh Mohamud - Resume

v t e Presidents of Somalia First Republic Aden Abdullah Osman Daar Abdirashid Ali Shermarke Sheikh Mukhtar Mohamed Hussein Second Republic Siad Barre Third Republic Ali Mahdi Muhammad vacant (1997–2000) Abdiqasim Salad Hassan Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Adan Mohamed Nuur Madobe Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Musa Hassan Abdulle Mohamed Osman Jawari Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Italics indicate acting officeholders.

ar:حسن شيخ محمود

be:Хасан Шэйх Махмуд bg:Хасан Шейх Мохамуд ca:Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud da:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud de:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud es:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud fa:حسن شیخ محمود fr:Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud it:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud he:חסן שייח' מחמוד ka:ჰასან შეიხ მუჰამადი nl:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ja:ハッサン・シェイク・モハムド oc:Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud pl:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pt:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ru:Махмуд, Хасан Шейх so:Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud fi:Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud sv:Hassan Sheikh Mohamud tr:Hasan Şeyh Mahmud

Khalid Yasin
Khalid Yasin speaks on evolution in a public lecture.
Born	1946 (age 65–66) Harlem, New York, United States
Residence	Seattle, Washington
Nationality	American
Other names	Abu Muhammad, Abu Muhammad Khalid Yasin
Religion	Islam

Khalid Yasin (also known as Abu Muhammad^[1] and Abu Muhammad Khalid Yasin^[2]) (born in 1946) is an American convert from Christianity to Islam who lectures in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.^[1]Yasin lives in Manchester, England and has operated a "da'wah" organization which has had various names. It was dissolved in 2010.^[3]Yasin frequently travels overseas to spread his faith. He has called himself a "media-bedouin," remarking that the bedouins are willing to settle wherever there is "water and shelter".^[4] Yassin is outspoken about a variety of issues in his speeches and media appearences.

Background[link]

Yasin was born in Harlem, New York and raised in Brooklyn as a Christian along with nine siblings. Although not an orphan, he grew up in foster homes from the age of three, along with some of his siblings, until he was fifteen. He describes each foster home as having a different Christian denomination, so he covered a wide spectrum of Christianity. He was put up for adoption due to his family's financial state.^[1]

Yasin has described his youth in "the ghetto", where it was "Me and my two brothers Sam and Julius, against the world. We had nothing but converting and accepting Islam now we have everything". When first reading about Islam, he often used Encyclopedia Britannica as a reliable source on Islam and its concepts.^[4] Yasin felt the grief of African-American people, and he was especially influenced by the turbulent 1960's and figures like Malcolm X.^[4]

Yasin converted to Islam in 1965.^[5] He began his ministry as the "Amir" or leader of Jammat Ita'hadul Iqwa on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn (often referred to^{[by whom?]} as the McDonald's Mosque, due to its proximity to a McDonald's).

Yassin has been accused of espousing a radical form of Islam. "Channel Nine" in Australia described him as "a charismatic preacher who’s capturing the hearts and minds of young Australian Muslims with a radical mix of pleas for the understanding of terrorism, anti-Western conspiracy theories and radical homophobia.^[6] Rather differently, the Oman Tribute described him as a "learned scholar" who "regularly tours different countries debunking the misinformation about Islam".^[5]

Discussing his leisure time, Yassin said, "I’m a fairly avid horseman, I swim, martial arts, I box, I read quite a bit. Probably once every two years I visit Mecca and I cleanse myself spiritually by performing the Omrah or the Haj, and then daily I pray five times a day.":^[7]

Notable views[link]

During Yasin's stays in Australia in mid-2000, he received media attention regarding his views on Islam.

In a speech that Yasin delivered at Bankstown Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, as well as in a televised interview, seen as critical of Muslims befriending non-Muslims, Yasin said: "There's no such thing as a Muslim having a non-Muslim friend, so a non-Muslim could be your associate but they can't be a friend. They're not your friend because they don't understand your religious principles and they cannot because they don't understand your faith."^[8] He later contextualized his comment, explaining that Muslim people, including him, invariably have friends, neighbors and colleagues who are non-Muslims, but that does not mean that non-Muslims should influence Muslims' religious or moral decisions.^[4]

Yasin has lectured to students at universities as a guest speaker and on debate panels. He also addresses crowds at events aimed at young people. Yassin has made statements describing western civilization's academic tradition as difficult to reconcile with Islamic religious life: "University is a gateway for deviation,you forget your Islamic direction. Now you have become compromised through some kind of intellectuality."^[8][9]

Yasin was allegedly quoted by an Australian newspaper instructing a light beating as discipline for disobedient wives.^[8] Yasin denies ever saying this, and says that the Koran does not include any such instructions in its 6626 verses.^[4]

In Australia in 2005 Yasin was quoted as saying that: "The Koran gives a clear position regarding homosexuality lesbianism and bestiality. ... They are aberrations punishable by death. ... We can’t walk around society slandering them because there is legislation against doing that but we don’t have to like them we don’t have to promote them and we have the right to say that that’s a moral aberration.”^[6] In a 2010 documentary, Yasin said that "in the eyes of God everyone is equal, not the same, but equal" and that, "according to the principles of Islam", homosexuality is "a perversive behavior and a criminal behavior. But we need to be tolerant. We are citizens, we need to be tolerant".^[9]

Yasin believes that HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is probably man-made and that the US Government is the likely culprit. He said that “missionaries from the World Health Organisation and Christian groups ... went into Africa and inoculated people for diphtheria, malaria, yellow fever and they put in the medicine the AIDS virus.”^[6][4]

Yasin accuses Israel of state terrorism. He refers to "an occupation of Palestinian land by the criminal state of Israel ... and they are still committing terrorism after 50 years".^[9]

Regarding capital punishment by some Muslim states, Yasin has said: "Then people can see, people without hands, people can see in public heads rolling down the street, people got [sic] their hands and feet from opposite sides chopped off and they see them crucified ... They see people put up against the pole and see them get lashed in public. They see it, and because they see it, it acts as a deterrent for them because they say I don't want that to happen to me". Yasin made these comments during an investigation for a British Channel 4 documentary, "Dispatches: Undercover Mosque", which investigated the intolerance and fundamentalism reportedly being spreading through Britain's mosques from the Saudi Arabian religious establishment closely linked to the Saudi Arabian government. Yasin responded that his comments should be considered in context and that he did not support or promote Saudi Arabian government religious rhetoric and that, in any event, capital punishment occurred in many countries. "The lecture," he stated, "was aimed at reforming the Muslim people, the Muslim society and the Muslim world … to be adjudicated by the Sovereign Islamic State" when one exists.^[10]

On September 7, 2003 Yasin appeared on Australian program Sunday Nights With John Cleary:^[7] On Islam's position in the West, Cleary asked Yasin, how he as a teacher dealt with Islam getting a very rough trot in the West today. To this Yasin answered that he saw two options, one for himself and one for other co-religionists. He spoke of the need to be tolerant and said Muslims need to personify with the core principles of the religion as then at least Muslims could not be held responsible for people taking a radical view of them. As a second thing he mentioned that he assesses people, who he speak to so to enable himself to correct any misconseptions about Islam from their perspective as that's what an educator does."^[7]

Discussing international governing bodies and the lack of them in Islam, Cleary asked where Sharia fits into that and Yasin replied; "Well the Sharia is the cement that keeps all the bricks together. The Sharia is the legislative element. The Sharia is the judicial element. This is where rules, this is where juristic decisions, this is where the courts, this is where law. And I mean if you don't have a people that is governed by Sharia, then you have a lawless people."^[7]

Denmark[link]

In 2010 Yasin lectured in Copenhagen at a Muslim youth project called "North Bronx" - From Gang Member two Conscious Muslim, with one of his credentials being the fact that Yasin is a former gang member from Harlem. His participation stirred political debate whether Yasin was a suitable role model for keeping youths out of gangs. The organizer of the event defended Yasin and stated that, "He has totally changed his position and entered the fight to prevent radicalization and crime".^[11][12]

Netherlands[link]

In 2009, Yasin travelled to the Netherlands and taught lectures on several occasions, including at the private Muslim university of Rotterdam. Several Dutch parties tried unsuccessfully to deny him access to the country. The most visible campaign against Yasin was led by right-wing politician Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom.

On a Dutch-Muslim feature interview Yasin compared the controversial reaction he and Islam stirs to "someone walking in the dark, without knowing where they are going", and to people being afraid of things they are not familiar with.^[4]

References[link]