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The Young Turks hesitated to declare war in August 1914 and the British hoped they might remain neutral. Britain, conscious of the threat the Turks posed to the Suez Canal, wanted to keep her out of the war and avoid splitting their forces between Eastern and Western fronts.
They also feared the consequences of declaring war on an independent Muslim nation. With political control over the Holy Places of Mecca and Medina, the Turkish Caliph of Islam had the potential to call a military jihad - a call to arms for Muslims the world over - against the Allies.
A jihad would threaten Britain's position in both India and Egypt.
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Europe | Ottoman
Empire | Egypt | Mecca
| Arab Revolt | Palestine
| Syria | Modern
Middle East
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Great Britain feared a Muslim jihad which would stretch their resources and threaten their Empire in the Far East.
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