What is a Sheikh?
Sheikh or sheik is an Arabic word, used before the birth of Islam, to designate elderly male members of a tribe as those deserving respect. It’s comparable to the term Elder in the English language, especially when an Elder’s title conveys not only a person of a certain age and maturity, but also someone who may make political decisions about a group of people in a specific venue. The sheikh in the past and in current times is not only respected, but may have the specific task of guiding and protecting a group of people, settling disputes, being a religious leader, and helping to administer the law. The sheikh’s wife is usually called the sheikah. Especially in Bedouin nomadic tribes, the sheikh is ruler of a tribe, and as such, administers the law, makes deals with other tribes, and works for the prosperity of his people. Despite an overt association with Islam, it’s a mistake to think all sheikhs are Muslims. It’s also a common mistake to view all Arabs as Islamic. There are Christia
Shaikh, also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh (Arabic: شيخ ), is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of a tribe, lord, revered wise man, or Islamic scholar. A daughter or wife of a Sheikh is sometimes called Sheikhah (Arabic: شيخة ). The term literally means a man of old age, and is used in that sense 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. The title is not only used by Muslims; it is also used by Arab Christians for elder men of stature, showing that it is independent of religion. Its usage and meaning is similar to the Latin senex meaning old man, from which the English “senator” is derived. It is also used to refer to scholars of various Islamic sciences such as faqihs, muftis, and muhaddiths. In the Persian Gulf States the title is used for men of stature, whether they are managers in high posts, wealthy busi
The Sheikh is the leader of the tribe that has considerable power, but must always adhere to traditional customs and the advice of the council of tribal elders. The Sheikh is always elected from a noble family, but any one from this family is eligible for the position, however it is usual for the Sheikh to be the oldest male. The Sheikh is the spokesman for his tribe and is often the one called upon to resolve disputes or to act as a champion in order to resolve differences. Sheikh Salem was one such Sheikh and he is still remembered in Dahab for his honesty and loyalty. He worked hard to ensure Dahabs Bedouin community were supported and guided through a very traumatic time in Sinai’s History. He was passionate about ensuring that Sinai’s Bedouin Communities would be able to survive and benefit from all the tourist developments. Salem was Sheikh of Dahab from 1969 until 2001. His son Sheikh Twalia now carries this forward, being head of one of the biggest tribe groups in Dahab the Muz
Shaikh, also rendered as Sheik, Shaykh or Sheikh (Arabic: 卮賷禺鈥?, is a word in the Arabic language meaning elder of a tribe, lord, revered wise man, or Islamic scholar. A daughter or wife of a Sheikh is sometimes called Sheikhah (Arabic: 卮賷禺丞鈥?. The term literally means a man of old age, and is used in that sense 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. The title is not only used by Muslims; it is also used by Arab Christians for elder men of stature, showing that it is independent of religion. Its usage and meaning is similar to the Latin senex meaning old man, from which the English “senator” is derived. It is also used to refer to scholars of various Islamic sciences such as faqihs, muftis, and muhaddiths. In the Persian Gulf States the title is used for men of stature, whether they are managers in high posts, wealthy busi
