The Ottomans had an urgent need to emphasize their religious identity since the submission of the Hijaz to their subordination. This mainly concerned the issues regarding the legitimate entitlement of the Ottoman Sultan to lead Muslims and the service of the Two Holy Mosques. On these bases, The Hijaz had built its political, economic, and religious pillars. Consequently, the Sharif of Mecca, the highest political authority in the Hijaz, was granted wide powers in the administration; his authority even overshadowed the authority of Ottoman rulers. However, the Ottomans were desperate to retain the Jeddah and, to a lesser extent, the Medina port for trade regulation and pilgrim traffic.