Dhimma is a Arab term used in Islam for the status of Christians and Jews in a region overrun by Muslim conquest who were accorded a protected status and allowed to retain his original faith. Communities had limited rights, no political voice, and paid special taxes, but were allowed to regulate their internal affairs. The people involved are called "dhimmi". In the Ottoman Empire the dhimmi paid "cizye," a poll tax. The main religious communities formed self-governing bodies called "millets." The origins of the dhimma system came in the 7th century "Pact of Umar".