Charles River Editors Quote
During the early Islamic period between the 7th and 11th centuries, Bethlehem came under the dominion of the Muslim caliphates, and in 634, Modestus, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, failed to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem for the first time in three centuries.[69] During this time, parts of the southern transept of Justinian’s church were converted to be used as prayer areas for Muslims.[70] Bethlehem was an important site for Muslims, who considered it the birthplace of Issa, the Islamic equivalent of Jesus who was seen as a prophet for the coming of Muhammad. In 1009, Caliph Hakim ordered that Christian monuments and structures around the Holy Land be destroyed, but the Church of the Nativity managed to survive this widespread destruction
During the early Islamic period between the 7th and 11th centuries, Bethlehem came under the dominion of the Muslim caliphates, and in 634, Modestus, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, failed to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem for the first time in three centuries.[69] During this time, parts of the southern transept of Justinian’s church were converted to be used as prayer areas for Muslims.[70] Bethlehem was an important site for Muslims, who considered it the birthplace of Issa, the Islamic equivalent of Jesus who was seen as a prophet for the coming of Muhammad. In 1009, Caliph Hakim ordered that Christian monuments and structures around the Holy Land be destroyed, but the Church of the Nativity managed to survive this widespread destruction