 The family became an influential tribe that played an important role in the Kurdish national movement.Wigram noted that the Shaikh of Barzān was "a merciful over-lord," noted for his fair treatment of his followers.The leaders of this particular Naqshbandi family, during the first half of the 20th century, notably Shaikh Ahmad and Mustafa Barzani, had "special relationships with the Kurdish Jews under their patronage."