Saudi to restrict use of 'Sheikh' title - official - Saudi Arabia

Sunday, 6 June 2010 12:30 PM

REGULATIONS: The title of 'Sheikh' will be reserved for Islamic scholars and tribal leaders in Saudi.

Saudi Arabia has announced it is to restrict the use of the title of ‘Sheikh’ to religious scholars and tribal leaders only.

Abdul Rahman Al-Hazza, a spokesman for the Ministry of Culture and Information, said that the new directive was aimed in part to reduce tensions within tribes that arose because of the use of ‘Sheikh’ by people who were not entitled to use it.

According to Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat, officials said that the use of the title has become too frequent, and is commonly bestowed upon those who are not entitled to it.

The Ministry has alerted local newspapers and magazines to instruct them to use the title only for religious scholars and tribal leaders, the newspaper said.

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Posted by: Hussain Saturday, 12 June 2010 8:39 AM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

Yup thats my title cause im sarcastic like that! I hope this includes bussiness men.... who call them selvs sheikh....

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Posted by: Mughalistan Monday, 7 June 2010 5:45 PM[UAE] - UK

I dont think this will stop the problem, maybe they can come up with a new title?

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Posted by: Blackberry Monday, 7 June 2010 1:55 PM[UAE] - UAE

How is it quite saturated here in the UAE? People dont call each other sheikh for fun, its only used when when talking to someone who belongs to one of the 7 royal families, or is a head of one of the tribes. People use other words to signify the respect and high status that 'sheikh' usually means, without actually using the word 'sheikh'. And i dont think you can use Sheikh or H.E. or HH in public unless it is bestowed upon you.

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Posted by: anony Monday, 7 June 2010 10:48 AM[UAE] - UK

Truth is that the Gulf has got a whole hang up on status and heirarchy, protocols not to mention materilism that is not supported in Islam upon which these Governments hang their credentials on . So dont think that this will change attitudes or the way people act ! Really needs a Kingly edict for humility

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Posted by: me Monday, 7 June 2010 8:49 AM[UAE]

It is a very tribal thing and in all Arabic speaking cultures - The tile is given to the head of a tribe, some one who of authority, and often consulted. It is also used as respect, we do not have the word Mr. Another common prefix is AlSayid which can also refer to the Saadh, those from the Shareef descentant. In Saudi due to the royal family HRH HH etc, wealthy families prefer the word Shiek -

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Saudi to restrict use of 'Sheikh' title - official

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