An empire for Islam

From ‘The Khalifate’, The Spectator, 1 May 1915: It seems that the Ottoman Empire is likely to crumble away, and in that event, whether it happens soon or late, the question of the Khalifate will cause many searchings of heart to the Mohammedan world. In an intimate and most important sense Britain is concerned in this matter. The spiritual security and satisfaction of Moslems vitally concern the British Empire. It is not only that we owe it to the innumerable Moslems under our rule that their wishes and susceptibilities should be strictly respected; the communion of feeling throughout Islam is so strong that the British Empire, as a great Mohammedan Power, owes it to itself and to Moslems everywhere that it should proclaim itself in solemn terms a trustee of the rights and claims of Islam.