Sheikh Mand

Sheikh Mand or Sheikh Mend, Sheikh Mand Pasha was a 12th-century Yazidi saint, ruler of Kilis principality, and an Ayyubid Army commanfiefdom is the son of Şêx Fexredîn and thus belongs to the Şemsanî lineage of sheikhs. His sister was Khatuna Fekhra, revered today as one of the most important Yazidi female saints.

Emir of Kurds Sheikh Mand was one the leaders of Kurdish Hakkari tribe and commander of Hakkariya regiment of the Ayyubid Army. For his service, Saladin granted him the title of "Emir of the Kurds" along with the rule of Qoseir castle located in western Aleppo, and a fiefdom over Kurds in Levant.

Association with snakes Sheikh Mand is traditionally considered to be a patron of snakes. His shrine at Lalish is said to contain a cave that is full of snakes.