Collection: Abdülmecid II

Abdülmecid II (1868–1944) was the last Ottoman Caliph and the 37th head of the Imperial House of Osman. Born in Istanbul on May 29, 1868, the son of Sultan Abdülaziz, he received a private education. Following the abolition of the Sultanate, the Turkish National Assembly elected him Caliph on November 19, 1922. He resided in Istanbul until his deposition and exile on March 3, 1924, when the caliphate was abolished.

Beyond his political and religious roles, Abdülmecid II was also a painter and musician. He holds the distinction of being the only member of the Ottoman dynasty to pursue painting, establishing himself among Turkish artists of his era.

After his exile from Turkey, Abdülmecid II settled in Paris, where he died on August 23, 1944. His deposition marked the definitive end of the caliphate, a role he held as the last caliph of Sunni Islam.