Sharif of Mecca

Sharif of Mecca was a noble title for the leader of the Sharifate of Mecca, a historic Islamic territory in present-day Saudi Arabia. Traditionally, the Sharif was responsible for maintaining the holy Islamic sites in Mecca and safeguarding the religious significance of the city. The position was often held by a member of the Hashemite family, who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad. The title also carried political authority in the region, especially during the Ottoman Empire’s rule, and played a key role in Arab nationalism and the eventual independence movements in the early 20th century.