Mosque of Omar (Bethlehem)

The Mosque of Omar in Bethlehem is the town’s main mosque located on Manger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity. It dates to the mid-19th century Ottoman period and is a prominent feature of Bethlehem’s central plaza.

The mosque is noted for its slender minaret and its frontage onto Manger Square, where pilgrims and tourists gather around the nativity sites. The proximity of Islamic and Christian holy sites makes the square a focal point for interwoven religious landmarks and public activity.

Named for the second caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, the mosque was established in the Ottoman era and has served the local Muslim population since its construction. Over time the building has remained a working place of worship while sharing the square with Christian pilgrimage sites.

It stands on Manger Square in Bethlehem in the West Bank, immediately opposite the Church of the Nativity in the town centre and within walking distance of other historic streets and sites.

• Location in Manger Square: Sits directly on Manger Square facing the **Church of the Nativity**, making it part of Bethlehem's central religious and civic space.
• Date and role: Built in the Ottoman period in the mid-19th century, it serves as the principal mosque for Bethlehem's Muslim community.