In a move that may be regarded as genuinely confusing, Abdulmejid II was elected to the office of Caliph of the Muslim people by the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
The former Crown Prince accordingly, at least if you agreed with the Grand National Assembly's religious powers, became head of Islam in a fashion. He'd last in that role for two years before the Grand National Assembly, apparently also confused as to why it, as a secular body, would do that, abolished the office.
The Ottoman claim to be able to appoint a Caliph was never uncontested, although as it was a large empire the position held weight, even after its expiration. Islam was itself divided following Mohammed's death in 632 with the division arising over who would lead it.
Abdulmejid II went into exile in Europe following the abolishment of the office in 1924.
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