Mosque of Omar, Islamic mosque in Manger Square, Bethlehem, Palestine

The Mosque of Omar sits on the western edge of Manger Square and displays classic Islamic architecture with a dome and slender minaret. The building directly faces the larger Church of the Nativity, forming a distinctive pair of structures on the plaza.

The present Mosque of Omar was built in 1860 on land donated by Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox Church, and renovated in 1955 under Jordanian rule. It is named after Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, who came to Bethlehem in 637 CE to guarantee the safety of the Church of the Nativity and its clergy; tradition holds that he prayed at the site.

The building reflects centuries of Muslim and Christian coexistence in Bethlehem, where both communities share the same sacred square. Its placement directly across from the Church of the Nativity shows how different faiths peacefully inhabit this holy site.

The mosque welcomes visitors of all faiths, though access may be limited during prayer times when worshippers gather inside. It's helpful to check prayer schedules beforehand so you can visit without interrupting the community.

Before electric light, Muslims and Christians in Bethlehem donated olive oil to light the area around the mosque, a practice that shows interfaith cooperation. The current building dates from 1860, when Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox Church donated the land.