Sayyid
Syed or Sayyid or Sayed is a title of honour and respect in Islam. It is originally a word from the Arabic language which means 'Sir' or 'Mister' or 'Honourable Person'.
However, the word is now also used in different parts of the world by Muslims to refer specially to a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. For example, if someone is called a 'Syed/Sayyid' in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia etc., then that person is descended from the prophet of Islam.
Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Sadat (Sayyids) are recognized as an ethnic group. On 13 March 2019, addressing the Sadat gathering at the presidential palace (Arg), President Ashraf Ghani said that he will issue a decree on the inclusion of Sadat ethnic group in new electronic national identity card (e-NIC).[1][2]
President Ashraf Ghani decreed mentioning 'Sadat tribe' in the electronic national identity on 15 March 2019.[3]
Sayyids of the north are generally located in Balkh and Kunduz; while in the east they can be found in Nangarhar. While most are Sunni Muslims, some in the Bamiyan province are Shi'a.[4]
References
- "President Ghani to Issue Legislative Decree on Recognizing 'Sadat' as Ethnic Group". Ariana News.
- "'Sadat Ethnicity' to be Inserted in e-NIC". 13 March 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- Hamdard, Azizullah (15 March 2019). "Ghani decrees mentioning Sadat tribe in electronic ID card".
- "Ethnic Identity and Genealogies". Program for Culture and Conflict Studies – Naval Postgraduate School.