A symbolic gesture only

It’s unfortunate that the interesting Reuters-sourced article on the Muslim keeper of the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre makes only passing reference to the revered object’s import with respect to the history of Muslim custodianship of Christianity’s holiest site in Jerusalem (“Muslim holds ancient key to Jesus tomb site in Jerusalem,” December 3).

Adeeb Joudeh states that it is a “great honor for a Muslim to hold the key to the Church” that has provided pilgrims access to the place venerated by much of the Christian world. The article, however, makes no mention of the expressions of revulsion and pain recorded by Christian pilgrims in reaction to the Muslim domination of their sacred shrine.

To cite but one example, George Sandys, an English Protestant who was in Jerusalem in 1610 (and whose account, A Relation of a Journey, published in 1615, is a classic in the literature of travel) wrote of his visit to the church: “O who can without sorrow, without indignation, behold the enemies of Christ to be the Lords of his Sepulchre! Who at festival times sit mounted under a Canopy, to gather money of such as do enter….”

Mr. Joudeh is understandably honored to be carrying forward a centuries-old tradition. However, the article should have noted that the “opening and closing” by the Muslim keeper is now no more than a symbolic gesture. Today, in the united and sacred city of Jerusalem, adherents of all religious persuasions, and those without denominational affiliation, can find unimpeded fulfillment of their unique patrimonies. JACK E. FRIEDMAN

Jerusalem