Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Sources indicate that the Syed [Sayyed, Sayyid, Saiyid, Saiyed, Saiyid, Sayad, Sayd, Sayyad] [1] are a Muslim group in Pakistan that claims to be the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad (Gil June 2012, 65; Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 217; Joshua Project n.d.a) through his daughter Fatima (Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 217; Encyclopedia.com n.d.a; Joshua Project n.d.a). Other sources further indicate that they are descendants through Hussein [Husayn] (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a; Encyclopaedia Britannica n.d.; Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 217) and Hassan, sons of Fatima (Belle, Sept. et al. 2010, 217). The Syed can be found among both Shia and Sunni Muslims (Joshua Project n.d.a; Encyclopedia.com n.d.a).

A study on the ancestry of the Syed indicates that Syed is a "common honorific title given to male Muslims belonging to certain families claiming descent from the Prophet Muhammad" (Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 217). The Encyclopaedia Britannica similarly states that Syed is an "Arabic title of respect, sometimes restricted … to the Banū Hāshim, members of Muḥammad’s clan" (Encyclopaedia Britannica n.d.).

Sources report that the word "Syed" in Arabic means "chief" (Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 218); "master," "lord" (Encyclopaedia Britannica n.d.) or "prince" (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a). Some sources claim the name Syed can more generally designate a "holy" person (MRG Aug. 2002, 7; Encyclopedia.com n.d.a).

Encyclopedia.com indicates that the Syed are "found widespread in South Asia" (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a). Sources indicate that, in addition to Pakistan, the Syed are also present in India (Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 217; Encyclopedia.com n.d.a; Encyclopaedia Britannica n.d.), Nepal, and Bangladesh (Joshua Project n.d.a). The 1996 edition of the Encyclopedia of World Cultures, cited by Encyclopedia.com [2], mentions that "[m]any of the Pathan tribes in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, such as the Bangash of Kohat and the Mishwanis of the Hazara border, claim Sayyid origin" (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. The Joshua Project [see note 1] provides a map showing the demographic concentrations of the Syed in South Asia in 1987 (Joshua Project n.d.a). A copy of this map is attached to this Response.

According to the Joshua Project, the Syed occupy "the highest of social class among Muslims" (Joshua Project n.d.a). The authors of the study on the ancestry of the Syed cite Richard V. Weekes' book Muslim Peoples: A World Ethnographic Survey as indicating that "[d]espite Syeds having no formal religious authority above non-Syed Muslims, they usually have elevated social status, particularly, although not exclusively, within Shiite communities" (Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 218). The study on the ancestry of the Syed further indicates that "[i]n some more traditional areas of the Muslim world, Syeds are practically a local aristocracy who command great respect among the common people" (Belle, et al. Sept. 2010, 218).

The Joshua Project indicates that the Syed are traditionally priests and religious teachers, but that they now also work in the government service, teaching and business (Joshua Project n.d.a). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Sources indicate that the Syed mainly marry among their own group (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a; Joshua Project n.d.a). According to Encyclopedia.com, quoting the Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World, "[i]n all these branches of Islam, the privileged status of sayyids is perhaps most obvious in the rules concerning marriage, where a sayyida (female descendant) should marry only a sayyid to preserve the 'equity' (kafa˓a) status in the marriage" (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a, italics in original). The same source also indicates the following, taken from the Encyclopedia of World Cultures:

As a rule, a Sayyid's daughter marries only another Sayyid, preferably chosen from among some exclusive classes of Sayyids. Family trees are examined and every care taken that the accepted suitor is a Sayyid both on the father's and mother's side. But many take wives from any of the four chief Muslim classes and sometimes, though rarely, from among the higher of the local or "irregular" Muslim communities. Sayyid boys' names generally end in "Ali" or "Husain", and occasionally in "Shah". (Encyclopedia.com n.d.a)

Information on the Syed leadership, activities and treatment of members by authorities could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The Joshua Project, a Christian research initiative on ethnic groups (Joshua Project n.d.b), provides additional alternate names: Barwar, Dayarewale, Ghair-e-mehdi, Mahadavia, Mashaikh, Mehdiwale, Mulla, Mushaik, Mushaq, Nadim Guruvulu, Pirzada, साइियड (Joshua Project n.d.a).

[2] Encyclopedia.com is a "collection of online encyclopedias" that provides reference entries from 200,000 "credible, published sources" (Encyclopedia.com n.d.b).

References

Belle, Elise M. S., et al. September 2010. "Y Chromosomes of Self-Identified Syeds from the Indian Subcontinent Show Evidence of Elevated Arab Ancestry but not of a Recent Common Patrilineal Origin." Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences. Vol. 2, No. 3. [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Encyclopaedia Britannica. N.d. "Sayyid." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Encyclopedia.com. N.d.a. "Sayyid." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Encyclopedia.com. N.d.b. "About Us." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Gil, Sylwia. June 2012. Internal Situation in Pakistan. Country of Origin Information Unit, Office for Foreigners, Poland. [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Joshua Project. N.d.a. "Sayyid in Pakistan." [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Joshua Project. N.d.b. "Joshua Project." [Accessed 20 Aug. 2019]

Minority Rights Group International (MRG). August 2002. Iftikhar H. Malik. Religious Minorities in Pakistan. [Accessed 15 Aug. 2019]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Brill – Encyclopedia of Islam; ecoi.net; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; UK – Home Office; US – Department of State.

Attachment

Global Mapping International and Joshua Project. 1987. "Peoples of South Asia: Sayyid." [Accessed 19 Aug. 2019]