JORDAN TIMES
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said he was proud of the values of love, compassion and brotherhood that bring Jordanians from different religions and groups together.
During a meeting with representatives of Christian sects at Husn College in Irbid, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty wished Christians a merry Christmas and a happy new year, a Royal Court statement said.
“We are honoured to stand here before Your Majesty, and convey our blessings to you,” Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem said at the meeting.
He commended the King’s efforts in promoting love, peace and understanding.
“You are working diligently to maintain what is true, which is what your ancestors sought before you, the descendants of the holy prophet,” the patriarch added.
“We are proud that Your Majesty is guarding the Christian and Muslim sites in this country, which the entire world considers an international model for interfaith dialogue,” he said.
Fouad Twal, the Latin patriarch of Jordan and Jerusalem, said that “together we will work to build Jordan and strengthen peace, stability and family values”.
“We want to present to the world a model of coexistence between the different religions,” Twal added.
He also stressed on the importance of “maintaining national unity”, praising the King’s reform efforts.
Former minister of labour Bassem Salem said the Christian communities in Palestine and Jordan appreciate the King’s efforts to preserve Muslim and Christian sites in Jerusalem.
His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, meets with representatives of Christian sects at Husn College in Irbid on Sunday (Photo by Yousef Allan)
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Jordan