What is the significance of the title 'Amir al-mu'minin'?

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Periodical article

Title:	What is the significance of the title 'Amir al-mu'minin'?
Author:	Pennell, Richard
Year:	2016
Periodical:	The Journal of North African Studies (ISSN 1743-9345)
Volume:	21
Issue:	4
Pages:	623-644
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Northern Africa
Subjects:	Islamic movements language usage Islamic history
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/13629387.2016.1157482
Abstract:	This article examines the use of the title 'amir al-mu?minin' in the modern jihadist movement and sets it in the context of the history of how it was used extensively in northern Africa before colonialism. The use of the title did not necessarily signify a claim to caliphate as it is usually taken to be, but described a certain form of activist leadership which may have been attached to a caliph but also could signify a level of authority beneath that. In the modern armed jihad, the declaration of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi first as 'amir al-mu?minin' and then as caliph was a staged promotion that separated his authority from that of al-Qa?ida. Bibliogr., ref., notes, sum. [Journal abstract]