Al-Ansari or Ansari is an Arab community, found predominantly in the Arab and South Asian countries. It originated in Medina since the time of Muhammad. The Islamic prophet himself bestowed it as a title to the tribesmen of the city, for their keen support and dedication towards Islam. This title was later used as a surname by the descendants of these tribes, who then spread across the Middle East, Persian Gulf and the Indian subcontinent with the spread of Islam. The meaning of the word 'Ansari' is supporter, the community are known as Ansari, as well as Alvi (mixed with the descendants of Ali), Momin, Saudagar, Sheikh and Sayyid (mixed with the descendants of Muhammad).