Caliphate Question

The Caliphate Question combines the disciplines of theology, history, and international relations in order to approach the complex and sensitive issue of how Western governments—in this case the British—have historically engaged with foreign policy issues that have centered around questions of theology or faith. The British government's approach to policy-making in the field of Islamic governance from the First World War through to the early Cold War is the case study for this book, both because of the extensive documentation that exists on the period and because of its relevance to the current geo-political world. While the book is not a critique of current British foreign policy, it does seek to furnish policy-makers and commentators with a framework within which such increasingly necessary policy-making can be created.

The Caliphate Question examines British governmental files from the early to mid-twentieth century to examine the past approach of British policy-makers to questions of Islamic governance, particularly in relation to the office of the Caliph. In so doing it draws out pointers and questions that will help present-day policy-makers to create effective policy in this sensitive field.

Sean Oliver-Dee is associate research fellow at the London School of Theology, associate researcher for the Church of England’s Representative to the EU Institutions, and fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society.