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Mehmet II ‘The Conqueror’ of Istanbul

The below is a Ahdnama (Declaration) from Sultan Mehmed II El Fatih (The Conqueror) in 1463 – I am not a Ottoman or Turkish nationalist but am only sharing it because I like it – seen rarely in history:

(Mehmet – son of Murat Khan, The victorious)

The command of the honorable, sublime Sultan’s sign and shining seal of the conqueror of the world is as follows:

“I, Sultan Mehmet Khan inform the world that the ones who possess this imperial edict, the Bosnian Franciscans, have got into my good graces, so I command:

Let nobody bother or disturb those who are mentioned, nor their churches. Let them dwell in peace in my empire. And let those who have become refugees live and be safe. Let them return and let them settle down their monasteries without fear in all the countries of my empire.

Neither my royal highness, nor my viziers or employees, nor my servants, nor any of the citizens of my empire shall insult or disturb them. Let nobody attack, insult or endanger neither their life or their property or the property of their church. Even if they bring somebody from abroad into my country, they are allowed to do so.

As I have graciously issued this imperial edict, I hereby take my great oath: In the name of the Creator of the earth and heaven (Allah), the one who feeds all creatures, and in the name of the seven Mustafas and our great Messenger (Muhammad PbuH), and in the name of the sword I have, nobody shall do contrary to what has been written, as long as they are obedient and faithful to my command.”

See a similar one – over 700 years before the above – from the Prophet Muhammad (PbuH): Letter to all Christians – again, sharing it as I like the message.

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