A sheikh is a male Arab chief or ruler. Sheikh Khalifa. the sheik's role in global oil affairs. or shaykh Among Arabic-speaking tribes, especially Bedouin, the male head of the family, as well as of each successively larger social unit making up the tribal structure. The sheikh is generally assisted by an informal tribal council of male elders. Within the broader Arabic-speaking community, the word may also be used as a title or form of respectful address or to designate a religious authority. Its significance may vary from region to region. Qasimi Sheikh SulTan ibn Muhammad al Jabal al Shaykh Junayd Shaykh Shaykh Ahmad ibn Zayn al Din Ibrahim al Ahsai
born July 1, 1939 Ruler of the emirate of Al-Shariqah (Sharjah) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 1972. He succeeded his brother, who was assassinated. A political moderate, he favoured strengthening the federal government of the UAE. In the wake of a failed coup attempt by another brother, he agreed to implement financial and administrative reforms and to make his brother crown prince, with the right to succeed him, but he changed his mind and exiled his brother in 1990