The main titles, or what is called the supreme ruler in the Arab countries

Historically, it so happened that for many centuries the Arab states were subordinated to the dogmas and norms of Islam, they did not know the rule of kings and emperors. So who rules in them and what is the name of the supreme ruler in the Arab countries? Let's try to understand.

Most often the title of ruler determines the form of government of the country. If the ruler is called a sultan - then the sultanate, caliph (the old name caliph) - caliphate and so on. Let's see what they have in common and what are the main differences.

Khalifa (Caliphs)

The representative of both secular and religious rule without any division, the supreme ruler in the Arab countries is the Caliph. It was believed that the caliphs were formerly governors of the Prophet Muhammad on earth. With such a government, it is religion that is the founder and has a huge impact on the political direction of life in the country.

In addition, the Caliphs were also called the Egyptian and then the Turkish sultans, emphasizing their spiritual superiority over the Muslim inhabitants.

Sultans

Sultan - another official title, answering the question, what is the name of the supreme ruler in the Arab countries. If the sultan is at the head, then the state or its part (region, region, state) is called the sultanate. The name came to the world of Islam from the Koran, as a designation of power, later the "sultan" began to designate a representative of secular authority, the opposite of the "imam" as a representative of religious authority.

The main distinguishing feature of the sultanate in the Islamic world is the reign of the dynasty for a long period. Being a part of the caliphate, such a state nevertheless was independent and subordinated only to its ruler from the local dynasty. But it happened that an elected person came to power.

Today there is not a single country left where the Sultan would rule. The last known sultanates - Zanzibar, Kathari, Quiity and Lahedzh, disappeared from the map of the world in 1964 and 1967. Although the most famous sultanates are considered to be the Ottoman, with the capital in Constantinople, and Mamluk - the capital of Cairo.

Sheikhs and Emirs

Some dynasties of modern representatives of the power of the Arab countries, such as Kuwait, Bahrain and others, appeared even at the time of settling the tribes. Then they themselves chose the sheikhs - another title, which can be worn by the supreme Arab ruler.

It was the sheikhs who influenced the life of the clan, their power grew, they were strengthened at the expense of weaker clans. And this process continued until one of the most powerful sheikhs founded their dynasty, transferring power and the right to rule to their children and grandchildren.

In the UAE, as the name implies, the emir is at the head, this is another option, as the supreme ruler in the Arab countries is called. The title is inherited. Although the country consists of seven independent administrative units - the emirates, they all obey the supreme ruler. Sometimes he is also called the president, although this is not entirely correct, since the post is inherited.

Kings and Presidents

In some countries of the Arab world, for example, in Jordan or Morocco, the monarchy is still preserved, when the power is one and centered in the hands of one ruler. In this case, the ruling person bears the title of king. Naturally, the very word of non-Arab origin was introduced into the language by the colonizers who once exhibited these territories, although it answers the question of what the supreme ruler in the Arab countries is called.

There are cases when the form of government has changed in the country, and hence the name of the head of state. For example, in Qatar in the 70th year of the 20th century a constitution was adopted. It said that representatives of the emirates can choose from their circle of ruler for a period of five years. In this case, the title of ruler is the president.