The Status of Christians in Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the Seventeenth According to the Ottoman Sijills of the Shari'a Court in Jerusalem-Sijill No. (119) as a Model

A detailed examination of Ottoman Sharia court records reveals the complex dynamics between Christian denominations in Jerusalem and Bethlehem during the 17th century, particularly focusing on Sijill No. (119). This 562-page document, covering a span of approximately 100 days from July to October 1632, provides unprecedented insights into ecclesiastical disputes, property conflicts, and ritual controversies. Notably, it highlights the intense competition between Greek Orthodox and Franks over the possession of keys to the Church of the Nativity. The study also underscores the role of the Ottoman Empire's Humayun Court in issuing binding rulings, while simultaneously documenting royal decrees that addressed inter-Christian disputes during this period. This research offers a nuanced understanding of religious coexistence and conflict within the broader context of Ottoman rule.

M. AL-ASSA, A. (2022). THE STATUS OF CHRISTIANS IN JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEM IN THE SEVENTEENTH ACCORDING TO THE OTTOMAN SIJILLS OF THE SHARI’A COURT IN JERUSALEM-SIJILL NO. (119) AS A MODEL. RIMAK International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciencesis, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.47832/2717-8293.17.2