The feelings of fraternity and solidarity are being expressed between Muslims and Christians in a spirit of harmony which is embodied in unity in the face of abhorrent racism that calls for intolerance and exclusion.
The meeting which took place on Wednesday December 14 between His Majesty King Abdul II with heads of Churches in Jerusalem and Jordan, Christian figures, and Jerusalem Awqaf representatives on the occasion of Christmas celebrations–in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Ibn Abdullah II and His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi Ibn Muhammad, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy–falls within the framework of King Abdullah’s keenness to communicate with his people, and to affirm the Hashemite endeavor to promote the values of interfaith harmony. It is also an embodiment of the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem, and His Majesty’s keenness to convey Christmas well wishes to Christians.
Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader said that since his assumption of his authorities, His Majesty King Abdullah II has been receiving the heads and representatives of Churches in Jordan and Palestine to express the common denomination among religions as an annual tradition as well as to talk about Jerusalem and the sanctities during the major holidays, especially as pilgrims come to the Holy Land specifically to Jerusalem and Bethlehem in this period.
He indicated that enhancing national unity and dialogue between Christians and Muslims in our beloved homeland and in dear Palestine are among the Royal constants, which include preserving Islamic and Christian sanctities because they are still under Israeli occupation. He added that His Majesty the King is the major supporter of these sites through supervising the restoration in Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. He also asserted that the Palestinians always acknowledge His Majesty the King’s strong support in bleak nights and find him the supporter who realizes the concept of custodianship of the sanctities.
For his part, Jordan’s Grand Mufti Abdul Karim Khasawneh said that the danger threatening humanity nowadays has no remedy except by launching harmony and common living among all people, because it is an important part of human cultural civilization. He defined harmony as truth and justice that eliminates the causes leading to disagreement and conflict, as well as preserve security and stability for a society which set the bases for harmony and common living.
For his part, Greek Orthodox parish priest in Fuheis Fr. Romanos Samawi valued the Royal gesture of conveying well wishes to Christians marking Christians celebrations, which expresses the wise Hashemite leadership’s love for the Jordanian people, whose Muslims and Christians extend joint love for Jordan. He pointed out the great impact these Royal gestures have in the hearts of the Christians of Jordan.
Greek Catholic Patriarchal Vicar Archimandrite Dr. Bassam Shahatit said that His Majesty King Abdullah II’s meeting with the heads of Churches in Jerusalem and Jordan reflects a Royal policy adopted by the Hashemites in communicating with their people, namely Muslims and Christians.
By Munir Bayouk/ en.abouna.org
