Khilafat Movement
In 1919 Gandhi decided to broaden his base by increasing his demand to Muslims. The opportunity came from the Khilafat movement, a worldwide protest by Muslims against the collapsing status of the Caliph, the leader of their religion. The Ottoman Empire had lost the World War and was dismembered, as Muslims feared for the safety of the holy places and the prestige of their religion. Although Gandhi did not create the All-India Muslim Conference, which directed the movement in India, he soon became its most noticeable spokesman and attracted a strong base of Muslim support with local chapters in all Muslim centers in India. His success made him India's first national leader with a diverse base and helped his rise to power within Congress, which had previously been unable to reach many Muslims. In 1920 Gandhi became a major leader in Congress. By the end of 1922 the Khilafat movement had collapsed.