Why Is There No Muslim Version Of The Pope?

Other religions have a world leader – any reason there is not a muslim leader?

I believe they do have a world leader as such just not such a high profile one…

According to a quick google it is Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

As far as I know there are many branches of islam so a single pope character would be a bit odd – like christianity in fact.

Here’s a handy pic of the main branches:

the prophet, may peace be upon him, did not name a successor is the main reason and the main schism started then

the pope is only the leader of one strand of the christian faith too, there isn’t a go-to guy for all world christianity (apart from Cliff Richard, obviously).

Its a shame really that the diversity of muslim religions is so ill-understood. There was a knee jerk reaction after 9/11 that somehow Bin Ladin and Sadam Hussain were somehow in league over the attacks which is like saying Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams are allies. Its ignorance on our part but its fuelled by the proclaimations of islamic terrorists who claim to operate from, and for muslims and that their actions are the pinnacle and conclusion of their faith. It would be a laughable claim if it wasn’t for the fact that really nobody seems to know any better than to take it at face value.

Sunnis had Caliphs which they considered successors to the Prophet but it was abolished in the ’20s apparently. Similar to the Pope in the Holy Roman Empire days, but heavily tied up with the Ottoman Empire.

Aga Khan, perhaps? Doesn’t speak for all of them, just like Mr P doesn’t speak for all Christians

speak for all of them, just like Mr P doesn’t speak for all Christians

He doesn’t speak for any Chrisitans.

8 posts into this thread and it’s all reasonably well-considered, informative responses. What’s wrong with STW today! 🙂

Catholicism is not a religion. It’s a sect within Christianity.

Islam and Protestantism inherently spawn sects because they both believe that the word of god is revealed to everyone equally through the sacred text, and that everyone literate has equal access to the word of god.

Catholicism and Orthodoxy put more emphasis on the word of god being mediated through certain jewel-encrusted, abuser-concealing earthly representatives of god.

It all started going wrong for Sunni and Shi-ah after the release of their fifth album ‘All I ever need is you’ in 1971.

😆

because the Pope is a direct antecedent of the Roman emperors. Continuation of what was considered the most powerful position when they set the whole church nonsense up.

It was much more fun when there was an anti-pope too.

Anyway the simple answer given above. And given the low birth rate in Italy (1.4 per woman versus 1.94 in the UK) it isn’t like anyone really takes any notice of the Pope/religious leaders when they do exist.

lol @ maccruiskeen

somouk – Member

According to a quick google it is Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Ooh, that’s a suggestion that wouldn’t go down too well! He’s a sect leader, but it’s a relatively small sect, and an unpopular one- much of the muslim world considers them blasphemers and non-muslims.

Bit like declaring Jerry Falwell the supreme head of Christianity 😉