The greatest milestone in the history of Palestine was the conquest of the region in 637 by Islamic armies under the command of Umar ra. Umar’s entry into Jerusalem and the extraordinary maturity and kindness he showed to members of different faiths thereafter foretold the beginning of a glorious age.
After its capture by Umar, Muslims, Christians and Jews in Jerusalem lived together in peace and tranquility for hundreds of years. Muslims never compelled anyone to convert, but many non-Muslims who saw that Islam is the true faith did indeed choose to become Muslims of their own free will.