Amir Bohbot

Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or ceremonial authority. The title has a long history of use in the Arab World, East Africa, West Africa, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. In the modern era, when used as a formal monarchical title, it is roughly synonymous with "prince", applicable both to a son of a hereditary monarch, and to a reigning monarch of a sovereign principality, namely an emirate. The feminine form is emira ( '), a cognate for "princess". Prior to its use as a monarchical title, the term "emir" was historically used to denote a "commander", "general", or "leader" (for example, Amir al-Mu'min). In contemporary usage, "emir" is also sometimes used as either an honorary or formal title for the head of an Islamic, or Arab (regardless of religion) organisation or movement.

Qatar and Kuwait are the only independent countries which retain the title "emir" for their monarchs. In recent years, the title has been gradually replaced by "king" by contemporary hereditary rulers who wish to emphasize their secular authority under the rule of law. A notable example is Bahrain, whose monarch changed his title from emir to king in 2002.

Origins

''Amir'', meaning "lord" or " commander-in-chief", is derived from the Arabic root ', "command". Originally simply meaning "commander”, it came to be used as a title of leaders, governors, or rulers of smaller states. In modern Arabic the word is analogous to the title “Prince". The word entered English in 1593, from the French '. It was one of the titles or names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

In the Bible, Deuteronomy 26:18 and in Isaiah 3:10, this word is used in Hebrew as a verb with a similar meaning.

Princely, ministerial and noble titles

* The monarchs of Qatar and Kuwait are currently titled emir.
* All members of the House of Saud have the title of ''emir'' (prince).
* Afghanistan under the government of the Taliban is officially an emirate, with the leader of the Taliban bearing the title .
* The caliphs first used the title ''Amir al-Muminin'' or "Commander of the Faithful", stressing their leadership over the Islamic empire, especially over the militia. The title has been assumed by various other Muslim rulers, including sultans and emirs. For Shia Muslims, they still give this title to the Caliph Ali as ''Amir al-Muminin''.
* The Abbasid (in theory still universal) Caliph Al-Radi created the post of '' Amir al-Umara'' ("Amir of the Amirs") for Ibn Raik; the title was used in various Islamic monarchies; see below for military use. In Iraq, the direct descendants of previous Emirs from the largest tribes, such as the Shammar and Khuza’ah tribes, who ruled the kingdoms before modern statehood, use the title of Sheikh or Prince as the progeny of royalty.
* Formerly in Lebanon, the ruling emir formally used the style ''al-Amir al- Hakim'', specifying it was still the ruler's title. Note that the title was held by Druze and Christians as well.
* The word ''emir'' is also used less formally for leaders in certain contexts. For example, the leader of a group of ''pilgrims'' to Mecca is called an ''emir hadji'', a title sometimes used by ruling princes (as a mark of Muslim piety) which is sometimes awarded in their name. Where an adjectival form is necessary, "emiral" suffices.
* ''Amirzade'', the son (