Caliphate

n. office or dominion of a caliph (also khalifate)

A caliphate (from the Arabic خلافة or khilāfah), is the Islamic form of government representing the political unity and leadership of the Muslim world. The head of state (Caliph) has a position based on the notion of a successor to Muhammad's political authority; according to Sunnis ideally elected by the people or their representatives, and according to the Shia an Imamate chosen from the Ahl ul-Bayt. From the time of Muhammad until 1924, successive caliphates were held by the Umayyad, Abbasid, and finally Ottoman (sultans of Turkey) dynasties.
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Noun
1. the era of Islam's ascendaancy from the death of Mohammed until the 13th century; some Moslems still maintain that the Moslem world must always have a calif as head of the community; "their goal was to reestablish the Caliphate"
(hypernym) era, epoch

Noun
1. the territorial jurisdiction of a caliph
(hypernym) jurisdiction
2. the office of a caliph
(hypernym) position, post, berth, office, spot, billet, place, situation

(n.)
The office, dignity, or government of a caliph or of the caliphs.
  

CALIFFATO