In 637, shortly after Jerusalem was captured by the Muslim armies, the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab visited Bethlehem and promised that the Church of the Nativity would be preserved for Christian use.

• 637年，耶路撒冷被穆斯林军队夺取后不久，哈里发欧麦尔参观了伯利恒，答应耶稣出生地的教堂保留给基督教使用。