The Harmony of Inclusivity and Policy: Ottoman Custodianship of Historic Churches in Islamicjerusalem

The inclusive vision of Islamicjerusalem introduced by Caliph ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab in the 7th century marked a turning point for the Holy Land and the region as a whole. This vision has been elaborated upon by numerous scholars and continues to be explored in cases that align with its principles. This theory is also intertwined with the concept of change in Islam, which is distinctive among other civilisations. Muslims have shaped the concept of change within the framework of inclusivity, particularly in the context of the first Muslim liberation of Islamicjerusalem. This vision of inclusivity is further exemplified by the Ottoman policy to resolve the longstanding conflict between Christian denominations surrounding the Holy Sepulchre in Islamicjerusalem, particularly during the 16th to 18th centuries, which is the focus of this article. Historical sources indicate that the general principle of Ottoman administration in resolving Christian disputes in Jerusalem was predicated on the preservation of the traditional state of worship. This principle encompassed the manner in which the Ottomans regulated church renovation. The objective of this article is twofold: first, to investigate the circumstances under which the Ottomans chose to prioritise the preservation of traditional forms of worship; and second, to examine the rationale behind this policy decision. As the Ottoman documents modelled ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab, the inclusive vision serves as the theoretical framework for analysing the Ottoman context in this article. Through the analysis of Mühimime registers, it is revealed that the policy of preserving the oldest forms of worship, in the face of growing Christian disputes, was part of an inclusive vision that reflected the Ottoman policy of justice and balance of power.