akhoond

Akhund (Persian: آخوند) is a Persian title or surname for Islamic scholars, common in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Azerbaijan. Other names for similar Muslim scholars include Sheikh and Mullah. The Standard Chinese word for Imam (Chinese: 阿訇; pinyin: āhōng), used in particular by the Hui people, also derives from this term. Other similar Chinese terms (Chinese: 阿衡; pinyin: āhéng and Chinese: 阿洪; pinyin: āhóng) also exist.