Here is a fascinating look into what Palestine was like during the Ottoman Empire.
Here is a fascinating look into what Palestine was like during the Ottoman Empire.
Once upon a time, Palestinians experienced moments of tranquility, where they could rest peacefully, their worries forgotten. Instead of waking to the jarring sound of sirens, their mornings were greeted by a serene call to prayer resonating from mosque minarets. In Palestine, a hub of various faiths, animosity and conflict were absent.
The history of Palestine showcases a diverse and harmonious blend of religions, a legacy that endured through generations. The leaders of that era took great care to foster mutual respect and unity. Throughout four centuries of tranquility, the Ottomans governed Palestine, overseeing a period marked by peaceful coexistence among different religious groups.
In 1517, the Ottomans emerged victorious over the Mamluks in the Battle of Marj Dabiq, leading to the gradual incorporation of the Arabian provinces, including Palestine, into the Ottoman Empire. Following a final Mamluk resistance near Ramla, Palestine was fully under Ottoman control.
Over the next 401 years, the Ottomans governed Palestine, emphasizing religious tolerance and preserving the significance of Jerusalem. Sultan Selim I (1512-1520) expressed gratitude for this victory by praying at Masjid al-Aqsa, the Qubbat al-Sakhra Mosque, and paying respects at the tombs of revered figures located there.
Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566), who succeeded later, shared a deep devotion to Jerusalem. He oversaw the construction of the present-day walls surrounding the city, replacing sections destroyed during the Crusades centuries earlier. Sultan Suleiman issued orders, known as a firman, prohibiting his army from entering Jerusalem, aiming to ensure the city’s residents were not disrupted by military presence. Additionally, he focused on enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the Qubbat al-Sakhra both internally and externally.
The Haseki Sultan Imaret, established by Hürrem Sultan, the wife of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, continues to provide sanctuary for Palestinians. This institution remains a bastion of support for Jerusalem, offering food aid and assistance to the needy during Ramadan and beyond. Constructed in 1551, it originally comprised a mosque and educational facilities. Many of the Ottoman sultans’ wives engaged in acts of philanthropy, striving to outdo one another in their charitable endeavors.
The Sultans and their people of the empire were the bearers of religious harmony. The Ottomans succeeded in upholding the values of love in Palestine, a holy land of different religions, without allowing mutual differences.
David de Dossi, an Italian traveler who visited Palestine in 1535, noted: “Here we are not discriminated against as in Italy. Our tax collectors are the Jews themselves. There is no special tax for the Jews.” When the Jews were relegated to second-class citizens and expelled from many parts of the world, it was the Ottomans who welcomed them with open arms. After the fall of Muslim Spain, the sultans sent ships to Istanbul and other Ottoman territories to welcome Jews expelled from Spain.
Under the rule of Sultan Abd al-Mejid I (1839–1861), significant restoration efforts were undertaken at the Aqsa Mosque, alongside improvements in the city’s security, resulting in a notable population growth. Sultan Abdul Aziz’s reign saw the construction of numerous roads and the initiation of various progressive projects. Historical records indicate that Palestine received comparatively better treatment from the Ottomans than other regions under their control.
The tranquil environment in Ottoman Palestine, which accommodated various religious communities, was attributed to the Ottoman policy known as “Millet System.” Under this arrangement, the Ottomans granted religious groups the freedom to establish their own courts and administer their own laws, fostering coexistence among different faiths..
Problem Solving Models
The Ottoman Sultans were meticulous in avoiding conflicts among religious communities. Numerous Christian denominations lay claim to sacred sites, notably the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, which is inherited by six sects; Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic, Syriac, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches.
Disputes over restoration efforts often led to conflicts, each sect asserting its rights. Sultans intervened during such divisions to prevent tragic riots, issuing proclamations outlining the rights of the shrine. Sultan Osman III’s 1757 proclamation established the enduring ‘Status Quo,’ emphasizing collective decision-making for any alterations in disputed areas.
In 1852, amidst a significant conflict between Catholics and Orthodox communities, Sultan Abdul Majid I issued a decree emphasizing the importance of maintaining the existing state of affairs, known as the ‘status quo’.
During the proclamation, authorities prevented a member of one faction from ascending a ladder to access a public entrance, symbolizing the need for unity to uphold this decree. The unaltered staircase in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher stands as a testament to the peaceful resolution implemented by the Ottomans, which gained global acceptance. This arrangement persisted through British rule and continues to endure to this day.
During that era, the tradition of entrusting the guardianship of Christian places of worship to Muslim households was common. Muslims were selected to act as mediators in resolving conflicts, reflecting their commitment to preserving peace and harmony.
Resistance
During Sultan Abdulhamid II’s (1876-1909) rule, Theodor Herzl led the Zionist movement proposing a Jewish state. Realizing the significance of the unfolding situation, the Sultan intensified endeavors to safeguard Palestine. With astute political insight, he comprehended the potential repercussions of any misstep.
Consequently, in 1883, he implemented legislation forbidding the sale of land to non-native Jews, followed by a prohibition on Jewish immigration to Palestine in 1884. While visits by foreign Jews were permitted, their stay in Palestine was limited to three months.
His encounter with Herzl remains notable. The Zionist proposition entailed granting Jews entry into Palestine and ceding ruling authority to them in exchange for relieving the Ottomans of their significant foreign debts and lobbying for the Sultan in European nations. However, the Sultan staunchly replied, “I will not sell even a portion of my kingdom’s land to anyone.”
His stance stemmed from the conviction that surrendering Palestine to the Zionists would constitute a profound betrayal of Muslims, who had originally conquered it under the leadership of Caliph Umar. He was even willing to forfeit his own power to uphold this unwavering stance.
The removal of Sultan Abdulhamid II marked a significant step forward for the Zionists, bringing them closer to their objective. They believed that as long as Abdulhamid remained in power, their aspirations would be unattainable. However, the subsequent rule of the Young Turks, who replaced Abdulhamid, proved susceptible to various Zionist strategies. The succeeding sultans lacked Abdulhamid’s political insight, exacerbating the situation further.
Throughout the First World War, Ottoman troops made valiant efforts to defend Palestine but ultimately capitulated to British forces. European media hailed Britain’s occupation of Palestinian territory as a triumph reminiscent of the Crusades.
This marked the end of an era, symbolized by an elegy for the four centuries of tranquility that once graced the region.
