Caliphate

A Caliphate is an Islamic state whose leader, known as the Caliph, has both secular and religious power.

At first the Caliph used to be the leader of all Muslims (in the Arabian Caliphate), but with several leaders of different lands claiming the title of Caliph at the same time, later the meaning of the term changed largely to what it is today.

The first Caliphate was the Arabian Caliphate; the term "the Caliphate", unless specified otherwise, usually means the Arabian Caliphate. The Caliphate of Somalia was established after the demise of the Arabian Caliphate. It still exists, but only as an unrecognised state. Another state that is known officially as a Caliphate is Maghreb.

This page was created by Abdul-aziz.