February 5, 1840
In Damascus, Syria, Father Thomas, the superior of a Franciscan convent, disappeared with his servant. Thirteen prominent Jews were falsely accused of the ritual murder of the Franciscan monk and his servant. Sir Moses Haim Montefiore, backed by other influential westerners, led a delegation to the ruler of Syria and Egypt, Muhammad Ali, secured the unconditional release and recognition of innocence of the prisoners and persuaded Sultan Abdülmecid I to issue a firman (edict) intended to halt the spread of blood libel accusations in the Ottoman Empire.
