Muslim families entrusted with care of Christian site for centuries

By: Oren Liebermann March 29, 2016

The key to one of Christianity's holiest sites is held by a Muslim family, and it has been for centuries. This is more than just tradition. It is the very essence of Jerusalem, part of what makes the Old City's cultural and religious history so special. We meet Adeeb Joudeh at the Jaffa Gate to the Old City. It is 3:30 a.m. At this hour, the tension of the city has melted into the darkness. The narrow alleys are eerily quiet. As Joudeh makes his way through the city's deserted streets, his footsteps are unnaturally loud, echoing off the walls of the empty stone streets. He carries with him an ancient cast-iron key, some 500 years old. The key is 12 inches long, with a triangular metal handle and a square end.

More: http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/26/middleeast/easter-muslim-keyholder/