Jerusalem as a Global Issue and Analysis of Hazrat Umar’s Jerusalem Covenant/Al-Amān in the Context of Its Contribution to Global Peace

Authors : Faruk Özdemir

Pages : 144-160

Doi:10.32955/neu.istem.2025.11.1.07

View : 66 | Download : 31

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article aims to examine why Jerusalem, which has maintained its importance as a religious, cultural and political center throughout history, has become a global issue today, from a historical perspective and in the context of peace experiences. Since ancient times, this city, which is considered sacred by the three major Abrahamic religions Judaism, Christianity and Islam, has changed hands many times throughout history and has always been at the center of religious, political, and sociocultural dynamics. Within this context, particular attention is given to the peace document known as the “Jerusalem covenant (amannama/the Assurance of Safety)”, declared by Caliph Umar following his conquest of Jerusalem in 638. This document is regarded as a significant source that deserves close examination, both historically and in terms of its relevance today. The central question of the study is how Caliph Umar’s Jerusalem covenant, which adopted an approach aimed at protecting a multi-religious and multicultural structure, might contribute to global peace in today’s complex conflict environment. Jerusalem is not merely a geopolitical zone; it is also a multidimensional space situated at the intersection of religious affiliations, identity struggles, and international politics. Therefore, the governance approaches and peace practices developed here are not only historical examples but also hold potential as models that can shed light on current issues. In this research, al-Tabarī\\\'s 11-volume work titled Tārīhu al-Tabarī (Tārīhu al-Rusul wa\\\'l-mulūk) was analysed by using the literature review method. In addition, other sources of hadith and history have been utilized to contribute to our research. Within this framework, the article adopts a qualitative research approach, using historical document analysis and literature review techniques. The Jerusalem covenant of Caliph Umar has been analyzed within the socio-political context of the period and his conception of conquest. The document has also been comparatively analyzed alongside modern human rights norms, principles of multiculturalism, and contemporary international legal instruments. Furthermore, Jerusalem’s current political situation, religious tensions in the city, the approaches of international actors toward Jerusalem, and processes of urban transformation have also been considered within the scope of this analysis. The analysis concludes that Caliph Umar’s Jerusalem covenant demonstrated a remarkably advanced vision of tolerance and peace for its time. The assurance guaranteed fundamental rights to Christian and Jewish communities living in the city, such as freedom of worship, personal and property security, and the right to own property. It explicitly prohibited forced conversions or restrictions on religious practices. In this regard, the document is not merely a conquest agreement but stands as a written peace charter institutionalizing the principle of coexistence in a multicultural society. One of the key conclusions of the article is that Jerusalem today is not solely a territorial or sovereignty conflict; it is also a multilayered global issue involving moral, religious, and cultural responsibilities. Caliph Umar’s approach reveals a peace-oriented and inclusive governance model that goes beyond military victory and is rooted in justice. This approach is evaluated as a model of governance and peace that could serve as an example for contemporary international communities. Thus, the Jerusalem covenant emerges as an important historical reference point in modern peace studies, particularly in terms of governing multi-religious societies and promoting religious tolerance.
Keywords : Tefsir, Kudüs, Beytülmakdis, Hz. Ömer, Emanname

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