A pro-Justice and Development Party (AKP) columnist has claimed that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would be the ‘caliph,’ or leader of Sunni Muslims in the world, under the much-anticipated presidential system.

Yeni Akit columnist Abdurrahman Dilipak said the rooms of the controversial presidential palace would be reserved for the representatives from nations under the caliphate, adding that Turkey’s caliphate had never been abolished.

“If Tayyip Erdoğan shifts to a presidential system, he will probably assign advisors from the regions under the caliphate and open representative agencies of all Islam Union nations in that 1,005-room [the presidential palace] in Beştepe,” said Dilipak speaking at a conference organized by AKP Toronto Election Coordination Center in Canada.

Dilipak also added that Erdoğan would assign advisers for all Muslim nations in the world.

Erdoğan has been known for his longtime aspiration for a presidential system in the country.