Final answer:
The millet system was a method used by the Ottoman Empire to allow non-Muslim communities to self-govern according to their own laws and customs, encompassing aspects like legal disputes and education within each millet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The millet system was a method of governance used by the Ottoman Empire to manage the affairs of non-Muslim communities, such as Christians and Jews. These groups were organized into their own communities, known as millets, each with a high degree of autonomy, allowing them to govern their internal affairs according to their own laws and customs.
The millet system included various religious communities such as Orthodox Christians, Armenian Christians, and Jewish people. These communities were allowed to operate their own courts, handling intra-community affairs, and typically interacted with Islamic sharia courts only for interfaith dealings or in matters involving the state itself. Additionally, the millet system extended to educational opportunities, with millets providing schools for their community members.