The purpose of Sharīfian propaganda during the war was first and
foremost to gain Muslim, Arab and British recognition of the Hashimite
family as rightful heirs to the Islamic Caliphate in place of the Ottoman
family. To do this, Sharīf Husayn ibn ʿAli had to control as much Arab
territory as possible, since a Caliph who controlled only the Hijaz would
be a laughing stock.
