Saye Rahmatullah Hashmi is a former envoy of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. 'Sayed' is an honorific title that indicates lineage with the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Also known simply as Rahmatullah, he is currently enrolled in the Non-degree Students Program at Yale University. In July 2006 it was announced that his application to pursue a bachelor's degree had been rejected by Yale College via the Eli Whitney Students Program. Non-degree special students may earn up to 18 course credits at Yale without re-applying, and Hashmi has said that he wishes to return to Yale for another year. The Eli Whitney Students Program, which is one of the four gates of admission into Yale College--the other three being freshmen, international and transfer students admission--admits a few non-traditional students each year into Yale College.