Obaidullah bin Salem Al Khaduri Al Suri

Born in the city of Sur, he lived in the 18th century. One of the travellers, adventurers and explorers of the jungles and forests of Africa; Obaidullah was also a man of trade, which was his motive for exploring central Africa. Obaidullah bin Salem Al Khaduri reached the Congo. At the start of their journey he arrived, together with Nasser bin Saif Al Maamari and Issa bin Abdullah Al Kharusi, at the village of "Nyangwe" in the Congo; he and those with him then travelled to the sea coast to explore the region in order to reach "Al Qarawa, and from there to Romani and Kisangani". He traded in ivory and owned a great deal of it. Among the things told of him: "Obaidullah sat singing for joy", and his companion asked him why he was singing. He replied: "If God delivers us safely with what we have of this land and we reach the coast in safety with what we have gained, that is enough for us in this world; now let me recall days gone by in Tiwi and Sur." It is also said of Obaidullah that he came to establish his rule in the Congo, so that when he wished to set off on a journey or voyage, he would appoint a deputy from among the local people. Said bin Ali Al Mughairi says: "As for Obaidullah bin Salem Al Khaduri, he left his companion 'Kabunja Al Anjziji' in that place (meaning the Congo) so that that region would be under his rule, and they marked it with a red flag... So Kabunja Al Anjziji commanded and forbade, ruling over that vast region of the Congo by order of Sheikh Obaid bin Salem (meaning Obaidullah bin Salem Al Khaduri)."   Source: the book "Wilayat Sur" http://hamood.algheilani.com/myblog/2015-145.html