The backdrop to the break up of Syria, Islam gives way to secularism and the nation state.

A topical subject: the reinvention of the Caliphate?

The underlying assertion of this blog is, that the ongoing struggles between fundamentalism and secularism continues.You will have heard on the news this week, that the mercenaries, who invaded Iraq and Syria, wish to restore the Khalifa or Caliphate system in both countries. I realise this is not exactly news as it has been discussed lots on this blog and on the internet generally but it does provide a basis for the entry.

The demise of the Ottoman empire or Caliphate had far-reaching consequences for the Muslim populations of Turkey, the Arabic territories and the Indian ssub-continent. The break up was agreed by the Turkish government along with some Arabic leaders as well as the influential European nations, Britain and France, who were concerned to maintain their colonies and trade routes. For the Turkish and the Arabs, there was a shift towards nationalism or the nation-state.

Though it is not the remit of the entry it should be said, that the status of the Ottoman Caliphate is disputed by the Shia Muslim population as they maintain a Caliph (or ruler) is legitimate only if he is a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. The Sunni sects maintains it is sufficient, that the Caliph be descended from a member of the Quraysh, prophet Mohammed’s tribe.