Istanbul: Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos Giannopoulos has presented Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a framed replica of the historic covenant issued by Caliph Hazrat Umar after the Muslim conquest of Jerusalem in 638. The presentation took place at the Dolmabahce Palace during a meeting between Erdogan and the visiting delegation.
The covenant, originally granted to Patriarch Sophronios, the Christian leader of Jerusalem at the time, guaranteed the safety and rights of the city’s Christian community. It also secured protection for their holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Historians describe the covenant as an important early example of Muslim-Christian coexistence, emphasizing the Islamic principle of protecting religious minorities.
By presenting the replica to President Erdogan, Patriarch Giannopoulos highlighted the continuing significance of Hazrat Umar’s covenant in promoting interfaith respect. Erdogan thanked the patriarch for the gesture and underlined Turkey’s role in supporting religious harmony and preserving historic places of worship.
The meeting also reflected the deep historical and religious connections shared between Muslim and Christian communities in Jerusalem. The original covenant, written more than 1,300 years ago, remains a point of reference in discussions on interfaith rights and protections in the region.
The symbolic gift underscores how historic agreements continue to inspire dialogue on peaceful coexistence between faiths in the present day.
