Covenant of Omar

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the Compassionate this is the security accorded by the servant of Allah, Omar, to the inhabitants of Aelia, to all of them without distinction, be they well disposed or ill disposed. He guarantees to them the security of their persons, possessions, churches and whatever relates to their cult. Their churches will not be transformed into dwelling houses nor will they be destroyed, nor will anything be taken from the churches or the ground on which they stand or the crosses and possessions of the inhabitants. They will not be constrained in their religion and none of them will be troubled or hurt, no Jews whatever will live in Aelia with the Christians. The inhabitants of Aelia will pay poll tax like those of other towns, the Byzantines and brigands shall leave the town, those of them who leave the city will be given safe conduct for themselves and their possessions until they reach a safe place, but those of them who prefer to remain are also secure, but they  have to pay the same poll tax as the inhabitants of Aelia. Those  inhabitants of Aelia who desire to accompany the Byzantines leaving their chapels and crosses behind will enjoy the same safe conduct until they reach a safe place, the peasants in town may remain there on condition that they pay the same poll tax as the inhabitants of Aelia if they desire they may leave with the Byzantines or return to their families, they will not be required to pay any thing before the harvesting of the next crop. He asks Allah to witness that he will guarantee to them every thing contained in this covenant. He promises them the protection of the apostle of Allah, his caliphs, and the faithful, if they pay the required poll tax.

Signed (as witness) by Khalid ibn-al-Walid, Amr ibn-al-Ass,Abdurrahman ibn-Auf and Muawiya ibn-Abi Sofyan in year 15H. 638 A.D.

The Palestinian Center for Religion and Civilization Dialogue