Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi (born 5 June 1958 in Mutsamudu) is a Comorian Islamic leader and politician from the island of Anjouan. He is popularly known as 'Ayatollah'. After easily winning the 14 May elections with 58.02% of the national vote, Sambi was inaugurated as President of the Union of the Comoros on 26 May, 2006. It is the first peaceful transfer of power in the history of the Comoros. June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ... 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location of Mutsamudu on the island of Anjouan Mutsamudu (population 23,600) is the second largest city in the Comoros. ... Motto: Unité - Justice - Progrès (French, Unity, justice, progress) Anthem: Udzima wa ya Masiwa Capital Moroni Largest city Moroni Official language(s) Shikomor, Arabic, French Government President Federal Republic Azali Assoumani Independence - Date From France July 6, 1975 Area  - Total    - Water (%)   2,170 km² (167th) 838 sq mi  Negligible Population... Islam (Arabic: ; ) is a monotheistic religion based on the Quran. ... Map of Anjouan Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an island in the Comoros. ... Ayatollah (Arabic: آية الله; Persian: آيت‌الله) is a high rank given to major Shia clerics. ... Presidential elections in the Comoros are taking place in two rounds on 16 April and 14 May 2006. ... May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... // Early inhabitants Over the centuries, the islands of Comoros were invaded by a succession of diverse groups from the coast of Africa, the Persian Gulf, Indonesia, and Madagascar. ...

Personal Life

Sambi is a father of seven children and he owns factories which produce mattresses, bottled water and perfume - a key Comoros export. He lives above a shop called The House of Mattresses in the Anjouan capital, Mutsamudu. He also set up a television station called Ulezi (education). [1]

He has been educated in Islamic studies in Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Iran. His title of 'Ayatollah' also comes from his studies in Iran. Islamic Studies is the academic discipline which focuses on Islamic issues. ... Ayatollah (Arabic: آية الله; Persian: آيت‌الله) is a high rank given to major Shia clerics. ...

Political career

Running as an independent candidate in the 16 April 2006 presidential primary election on the island of Anjouan, Sambi placed first out of thirteen candidates, winning 23.70% of the vote. April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Presidential elections in the Comoros are taking place in two rounds on 16 April and 14 May 2006. ... Map of Anjouan Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an island in the Comoros. ...

In the 14 May elections, Sambi was declared the victor on 15 May by Secretary of State Ali Abdallah over retired French air force officer Mohamed Djaanfari and long-time politician Ibrahim Halidi, whose candidacy was backed by Azali Assoumani, the outgoing president. [2] Provisional results gave him 58% of the national vote [3] May 14 is the 134th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (135th in leap years). ... Presidential elections in the Comoros are taking place in two rounds on 16 April and 14 May 2006. ... Ibrahim Halidi (born 1954) is a long-time politician in Comoros. ... Azali Assoumani (born January 1, 1959) is the current president of the Comoros. ...

He is a well-respected Sunni cleric and politician. Despite this, he has been quoted as saying that Comoros is not ready to become an Islamic state, nor will anyone be forced to wear a veil under his presidency. He is also the first president from the island of Anjouan. He also promised to fight corruption, create jobs and build better houses for the majority of Comorans living in poverty. Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Ħijāb (Arabic: حجاب) is the Arabic term for barrier or dressing modestly. ... SmartHunt Your Next Job Monster CareerBuilder Yahoo HotJobs Indeed Manpower Beyondplanet Bixee. ... World map showing percentage of people living under national poverty lines. ...

External Links

• BBC Profile of Sambi