The alarming truth behind Egypt's alleged breach of the prophet Muhammad's centuries-old promise to St. Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. Explore its history, unique library, and Bedouin guardians.
I want to sincerely thank you, Sheri, for your great effort and the enlightened article that has truly illuminated many important points for me regarding the issue of Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Your detailed narrative has opened new horizons of understanding.
However, I feel I must humbly clarify that the story of the document attributed to Prophet Muhammad—the Ashtiname—holds many doubts regarding its authenticity. Many modern studies suggest it was actually written by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, not the Prophet himself. This does not diminish its historical significance, but I believe it is important to be aware of this when discussing the document.
Here in Egypt, our government insists that what is happening at the Monastery is nothing more than restoration works, and that the recent criticism is just a conspiracy targeting Egypt. Yet, truthfully, I find it hard to trust anything the government says, especially when it comes to property rights or religious freedoms.
In closing, I again thank you, Sheri, for your gracious and insightful narrative. It has truly been a light in the darkness, giving me a deeper perspective that deserves respect and attention. I will wait for your next trip to Sinai, hoping to be honored by meeting you in person.
It is, perhaps, not surprising that the Greek philosopher, whose account discusses this, did not discuss the discrepancy about Mohammad having signed it with his handprint or not.
Sheri, I think you might thoroughly enjoy Janet Soskice’s book “Sisters Of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Found the Hidden Gospels”. Two Scottish sisters, Agnes and Margaret Smith, with a yen for languages and travel - and an inheritance from their father - travelled to St. Catherine’s Monastery in 1892, where the monks showed them what turned out to be the earliest writing of the Gospel of Mark - which specifically ends with the burial of Jesus (i.e. no resurrection).
What a shocker. I just can’t. Thanks for the very informative article. I’d like to see them try this with the holy sepulcher. The Armenians and the Orthodox would lose it and I think even the Franciscans would be saying no “pace e bene” for you thieves. Hell, they send rockets to Temple Mount where their beloved dome of the rock and Al-Aqsa sit…they couldn’t care less about cultural and historic artifacts.
Not sure why we're in such an uproar, when Muslims destroy avodah zarah, and, in their own countries. And who cares what is written in their false religion's texts? Sure, they're hypocrites. So, I get why you point this out. Nevertheless... From 2015: https://esseragaroth.substack.com/p/mosques-and-churches-burn-everyone-is
I agree with what you write in your article but this is a different issue -- In our own sovereign nation, we can take care of our own and we need to still figure out how to do that without prejudice against ANYONE, including against our own.
Well, it seems that we have different perspectives, even different visions for a future sovereignty over the Land of Israel, perhaps. So, I will just leave it at that.
Without getting into detail, I will simply say that the Torah covers not only kastruth and Shabboth, but also how to run a truly Jewish government, a truly Jewish military, how to interact with non-Jews in times of peace, and in times of war, and (wait for it) who is allowed to reside in the Land of Israel and who may not, along with any number of things.
Tell me that I am wrong and made inappropriate assumptions about your perspective, and I will stand corrected.
I want to sincerely thank you, Sheri, for your great effort and the enlightened article that has truly illuminated many important points for me regarding the issue of Saint Catherine’s Monastery. Your detailed narrative has opened new horizons of understanding.
However, I feel I must humbly clarify that the story of the document attributed to Prophet Muhammad—the Ashtiname—holds many doubts regarding its authenticity. Many modern studies suggest it was actually written by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, not the Prophet himself. This does not diminish its historical significance, but I believe it is important to be aware of this when discussing the document.
Here in Egypt, our government insists that what is happening at the Monastery is nothing more than restoration works, and that the recent criticism is just a conspiracy targeting Egypt. Yet, truthfully, I find it hard to trust anything the government says, especially when it comes to property rights or religious freedoms.
In closing, I again thank you, Sheri, for your gracious and insightful narrative. It has truly been a light in the darkness, giving me a deeper perspective that deserves respect and attention. I will wait for your next trip to Sinai, hoping to be honored by meeting you in person.
It would be great to meet you at Santa Katarina.
It is, perhaps, not surprising that the Greek philosopher, whose account discusses this, did not discuss the discrepancy about Mohammad having signed it with his handprint or not.
I can see why they might want to exploit it into a museum for revenue. I’m still sad to hear of all these treasures only now in 2025
Not to late to go visit.
I learn something new on this site every day. Thank you👍
Thank you for saying so. You made me smile a big smile right now.
Can there be an appeal to influential Muslim leaders?
Would they.care? After all, Muslims typically take over other people's does and turn them into Muslim sites. Constantinople is only one example
True, but that document from Mhd or anyone else may be persuasive.
Sheri, I think you might thoroughly enjoy Janet Soskice’s book “Sisters Of Sinai: How Two Lady Adventurers Found the Hidden Gospels”. Two Scottish sisters, Agnes and Margaret Smith, with a yen for languages and travel - and an inheritance from their father - travelled to St. Catherine’s Monastery in 1892, where the monks showed them what turned out to be the earliest writing of the Gospel of Mark - which specifically ends with the burial of Jesus (i.e. no resurrection).
Thank you. I'll have to look for it. Sounds like just my kind of book. (one of my kinds of book)
It’s on Amazon, hardcover, paperback and Kindle editions.
I wanted it as an audiobook and it isn’t available that way.
In the meantime, you might like this:
https://youtu.be/mSVPUU8unms?si=SzXMdLoCwRbDb2vB
Thanks so much for this. She is an engaging lecturer and probably would have got on well with the sisters
What a shocker. I just can’t. Thanks for the very informative article. I’d like to see them try this with the holy sepulcher. The Armenians and the Orthodox would lose it and I think even the Franciscans would be saying no “pace e bene” for you thieves. Hell, they send rockets to Temple Mount where their beloved dome of the rock and Al-Aqsa sit…they couldn’t care less about cultural and historic artifacts.
Not sure why we're in such an uproar, when Muslims destroy avodah zarah, and, in their own countries. And who cares what is written in their false religion's texts? Sure, they're hypocrites. So, I get why you point this out. Nevertheless... From 2015: https://esseragaroth.substack.com/p/mosques-and-churches-burn-everyone-is
I agree with what you write in your article but this is a different issue -- In our own sovereign nation, we can take care of our own and we need to still figure out how to do that without prejudice against ANYONE, including against our own.
Well, it seems that we have different perspectives, even different visions for a future sovereignty over the Land of Israel, perhaps. So, I will just leave it at that.
I don't know why you think we have different visions for our sovereignty over the entire Land.
Without getting into detail, I will simply say that the Torah covers not only kastruth and Shabboth, but also how to run a truly Jewish government, a truly Jewish military, how to interact with non-Jews in times of peace, and in times of war, and (wait for it) who is allowed to reside in the Land of Israel and who may not, along with any number of things.
Tell me that I am wrong and made inappropriate assumptions about your perspective, and I will stand corrected.