Why Muslim Families Hold the Keys to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Israel, is one of the most important spiritual sites for Christians, so it may come as some surprise that the keys to the church are actually entrusted to the care of Muslim families.

The tradition of entrusting the care of the church keys to Muslims dates back several centuries and may have been instituted by Saladin, the founder of the Ayyubid dynasty who expelled the Crusaders from Jerusalem.

In many ways, this surprising practice is emblematic of Jerusalem, regarded by Muslims, Christians, and Jews as one of the holiest cities in the world. That the entrance to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is cared for by Muslims adds further to the often confusing but always interesting cultural tapestry of the Holy City.

The Muslim families who care for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

According to the historical record, two Muslim families have been entrusted with this duty for over 850 years. The keys, which were created on July 15, 1149, were entrusted by the legendary Ayyubid Sultan Saladin to two Muslim families in Jerusalem.

On February 10, 1187, Saladin designated the Joudeh Al-Husseini family as the only rightful keeper of the keys and authorized the Nuseibeh family to operate the doors of the church. Since then, both families have continued to honor this duty which they carry out every single day.

In 2016, reporters from CNN met with and interviewed one of the Joudeh family descendants who continues to carry out this important duty assigned to his ancestors.

“This is the family heritage,” said Adeeb Joudeh. “It’s all we own as a family, and this is an honor not only for our family. This is an honor for all Muslims in the world.”

Control of Jerusalem has changed frequently throughout the centuries, owing to the city’s strategic and religious importance. However, the responsibility held by the two Muslim families for the doors to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has endured.

When the Ottoman Turks took control of Jerusalem in 1516, the entrusted families retained their duties. In fact, the Joudeh family still has a written contract from the Ottoman sultan enshrining their duties in law.

Ancient keys

The keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are very old indeed. The Joudeh family pass down two sets; one is at least 850 years old and is now broken, whereas the newer key still in use is about 500 years old.

The key itself has a metal handle in a triangular shape and a square tip, measuring 12 inches in length.

The decision to entrust the keys to the church and the operation of its doors to Muslim families was intended to minimize friction between the various Christian denominations that maintain a presence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Since then, the tradition has become a symbol of religious coexistence in a city which is defined by its religious importance to so many differing faiths.