<P> Islamic political philosophy has a long history of opposition to absolute monarchy, notably in the work of Al - Farabi . Sharia law took precedence over the will of the ruler, and electing rulers by means of the Shura was an important doctrine . While the early caliphate maintained the principles of an elected ruler, later states became hereditary or military dictatorships though many maintained some pretense of a consultative shura . </P> <P> None of these states are typically referred to as republics . The current usage of republic in Muslim countries is borrowed from the western meaning, adopted into the language in the late 19th century . The 20th century saw republicanism become an important idea in much of the Middle East, as monarchies were removed in many states of the region . Iraq became a secular state . Some nations, such as Indonesia and Azerbaijan, began as secular . In Iran, the 1979 revolution overthrew the monarchy and created an Islamic republic based on the ideas of Islamic democracy . </P> <P> With no monarch, most modern republics use the title president for the head of state . Originally used to refer to the presiding officer of a committee or governing body in Great Britain the usage was also applied to political leaders, including the leaders of some of the Thirteen Colonies (originally Virginia in 1608); in full, the "President of the Council ." The first republic to adopt the title was the United States of America . Keeping its usage as the head of a committee the President of the Continental Congress was the leader of the original congress . When the new constitution was written the title of President of the United States was conferred on the head of the new executive branch . </P> <P> If the head of state of a republic is also the head of government, this is called a presidential system . There are a number of forms of presidential government . A full - presidential system has a president with substantial authority and a central political role . </P>

Who is in charge of a republic government