Abdul Salam II

(Sheikh of Barzan)

(c. 1882-1914)

   Abdul Salam II was the older brother of the legendary Mulla Mustafa Barzani and thus an uncle of the current Barzani leader, Massoud Barzani. Abdul Salam II had three other younger brothers, Ahmad Barzani, Mohammed Sadiq, and Babo (Mohammed). When his father, Sheikh Mohammed, died in 1902, Abdul Salam II became the new Sheikh of Barzan. The Barzani tribe he headed was known for its religious and military leadership. Abdul Salam II himself was called "the Sheikh of the Christians" because of his tolerance. He was also known for his nascent Kurdish nationalism during the waning days of the Ottoman Empire. He was captured and hanged by the Ottomans early during World War I, apparently because of his reputed associations with the Russians.