Sheikh Ubeydullah
Sheikh Ubeydullah | |
|---|---|
شێخ عوبەیدوڵڵای نەھری (Şêx Ubeydelayê Nehrî) | |
Sheikh Ubeydullah around 1880 | |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 1826 |
| Died | 1883 |
| Nationality | Kurd |
| Home town | Nehri, Kaza of Şemdinan, Van Eyalet, Ottoman Empire |
| Parent |
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| Known for | Leader of the first modern Kurdish nationalist movement |
| Other names | Sayyid Ubeydullah of Nehri |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni Islam |
| Order | Naqshbandi Sufi order |
| Muslim leader | |
| Based in | Ottoman Empire |
| Predecessor | Sheikh Salih (his uncle) |
| Previous post | Leader of Kurdish nationalist revolt |
Sheikh Ubeydullah (1826-1883), also known as Sayyid Ubeydullah, was the leader of the first modern Kurdish nationalist struggle. Ubeydullah demanded recognition from Ottoman Empire and Qajar Iran authorities for an independent Kurdish state, or Kurdistan, which he would govern without interference from Ottoman or Qajar authorities.
Sheikh Ubeydullah was an influential landowner in the 19th century and a member of the powerful Kurdish Şemdinan family from Nehri. He was the son of Sheikh Taha and a nephew to Sheikh Salih, from whom he inherited the leadership of the Sunni Sufi Naqshbandi order in Şemdinan. After his rebellion was suppressed, he was exiled first to Istanbul, then to Hijaz where he died.