wali

plural walis · alternative wāli · alternative vali

1. A provincial governor in certain Muslim contexts.

   For much of the last century, the mountainous region of Swat was ruled as a princely kingdom where a benign autocrat, the wali, bestowed schools for girls, health care for everyone and the chance to get a degree abroad for the talented.

   2007 November 2, Jane Perlez, “Militants Draw New Front Line Inside Pakistan”, in New York Times

plural walis

1. IslamA saint or prophet.

   You see the shrine was founded in memory of a great Wali, seer, holy man – but apparently a Mohammedan.

   1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber, published 1992, page 130

plural Walis

1. A surname from Arabic.