In the year 1219, Saint Francis of Assisi went on the fifth crusade. When he finally arrived in Damietta, a city on the mouth of the Nile, Saint Francis was horrified at what he saw taking place between the Christians and Muslims. He felt God was calling him to travel on and see the Sultan who was the leader for Islamic military in that area. He and another friar traveling companion were soon overtaken by some Muslim Guards and taken to Sultan Malik al Kamil. Both Francis and the Sultan were impressed with each other and Saint Francis and his brother friar stayed at the Muslim encampment for some time. Francis was impressed by the genuine prayerful attitude of the Muslims and it appears that Malik al Kamil was also impressed with the humility of St. Francis. There are many ‘tales’ of this encounter but they were written many years after the fact and are now considered embellishments of the true meeting. What we can be sure took place is that these two men, met and became friends and when it was time for Francis to move on, he was given safe passage to the Holy Land by Sultan Malik al Kamil. When Saint Francis returned home he added to his Rule of life ( for the friars) that if any brother felt called to go among the Muslims, he should receive permission to do so and the brother must always remember that he is to “live in Peace” with all Muslims and must be “subject to them” when living in their lands. Brothers were not to preach or try and convert Muslims. If asked about the Christian religion, a brother should answer the question in humility but no ‘preaching’. Francis believed that the actions (deeds) of his brothers would be sufficient.
Francis, was writing at a time when the Catholic church was at war with Islam; trying to regain the Holy land from them. Regardless, Francis wrote what he wrote. Later, when His holy rule was revised and put forth for papal approval, the direct rules for living among the “Saracens” were left out and/or watered down. As a follower of the Rule of Saint Francis, I have always felt his original rule should have been left as written; I can see this quite clearly now that I am living among Muslims in a 97% Muslim country. By following the original words of Francis I am able to live in peace with the people of this country and am able to minister to them in total freedom.
My dear friend and sister in Christ, Barbara Massar agreed to create an ICON of Saint Francis of Assisi for Nazareth hermitage. We discussed the idea by e-mail and the final result is a magnificent Icon of Saint Francis meeting with Sultan Malik al Kamil. The Icon is so appropriate and several Islamic teachers (Oustas’) have come to the hermitage to look at the icon. They are truly impressed and appreciate St. Francis for his attitude.
The Icon was blessed during Sunday Mass at the Hermitage and hung in a place of honor in the hermitage chapel. Here are some of the pictures from the ceremony of the blessing of the Icon. I hope you enjoy them.
God bless you Barbara Massar for writing the Icon 
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