# What's "Shaikh"ing

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-shaikh-ing/159562>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 6, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-shaikh-ing/159562 "2003-03-06T20:18:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\
**Post date:** [March 6, 2003, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-shaikh-ing/159562/1 "2003-03-06T20:18:11Z")

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I have a question about the use of the title (or perhaps name) _Shaikh_ (sometimes spelled _Sheikh_) in some Middle Eastern cultures. An example is Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged 9/11 mastermind recently captured in Pakistan. Is the title of Shaikh hereditary? Earned? Bestowed by popular acclimation? Assumed? Is a Shaikh the head of a family group such as a clan or tribe, or meerly a person of esteem? In Khalid Shaikh Mohammed’s case, is it actually his name or a title?