Zulfikar family
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| Zulfikar ذو الفقار | |
|---|---|
| Noble family | |
| Country | Egypt |
| Place of origin | Egyptian |
| Founder | Prince Ahmed Pasha Turguman |
| Titles | Pasha, Bek or Bey, Hanum, Prince, Emir |
| Members | Ahmed Pasha Zulfikar |
| Estate(s) | Islamic Cairo, Old Cairo, Upper Egypt |
The Zulfikar family, sometimes spelled Zolfakar (Egyptian: Ⲍⲩⲗϥⲓⲕⲁⲣ, Arabic: عائلة ذو الفقار), is a prominent Egyptian noble family. They have had an influence that has stretched from the late 16th century to modern times.[1]
It is known that more than one Zulfikar has been either a ruler of Egypt or a prince in the Egyptian Mamluk era. The family has produced a large number of military officers from the 19th to the late-20th century. It has also contributed to modern Egyptian art through the works of filmmaker Ezz El-Dine Zulfikar, filmmaker Mahmoud Zulfikar, actor Salah Zulfikar, poet Magda Zulfikar, among others.[2]
Sources indicate that family's last name 'Zulfikar' came as a reference to the Zulfiqar sword of Muhammad. In legend, Muhammad asked God to give him a sword, and granted it to Ali to replace his old broken sword. This sword is of a high value to the Muslim world.[3]
Sources indicate that the Zulfikar family was already well established in Cairo by the late 16th century. Many elders thereof held the title of prince, pasha, bey or hanim in the Mamluk era. Also sources indicate that other Zulfikars sat on the Majlis created by Ibrahim Pasha.[4] Ahmed Pasha Zulfikar is widely considered to be the modern founding father of the family.[5] On the occasion of the 1952 Egyptian revolution, the Zulfikar family contributed in fighting against the British occupation, with many members in the Egyptian Armed Forces and the Egyptian National Police during the period. The influence of the family on Egyptian culture, literature, academia, and art was fundamental.[6][7]
