FUHEIS — The scout band played, people swayed and clapped to the sound of music, with some joining the singing, all enjoying an evening of culture and music in celebration of Saint George’s anniversary.

What made the Wednesday event special was that the audience was a mix of Muslim and Christian faithful taking part in celebrating the occasion, as the saint is revered by both faiths.

The iconic figure is immortalised in Christianity in the myth of Saint George and the Dragon, and regarded as one of the most prominent warrior saints. Al Khader, as he is called in Islam, is held in high esteem by Muslims, with some scholars maintaining he is a prophet.

Saint George’s shrine is located in the Mahis, a Muslim area near Fuheis, and was visited by both Christians and Muslims for prayers in the morning of the saint’s anniversary.  

Fuheis District is 20km away from the capital.

Jeryes Samawi, former minister of culture and the carnival organiser, told The Jordan Times that the event aimed to revive lost traditions and reconnect people with the area’s ancient heritage.

Samawi added that Fuheis community, largely Christians, goes on such a day to Mahis, a nearby area mostly populated by Muslims in groups. Christian priests perform a mass, and pray over green threads as a tradition.

Later, he added, Christians and Muslims take the green threads to place them in their cars or homes for protection.

“This tradition goes back 500 years. It is not new to the area,” Samawi added. The addition is the musical carnival, which will be an annual activity in the future.

“We intend to revive what was lost of our culture by concluding Saint George’s day with cultural functions.”

On his Facebook page, Samawi, a poet and writer, recalled how Fuheis people walked the almost 3km to the shrine in Mahisto join the Muslim neighbours in the “joyous celebration” in a spirit of brotherhood.

“People brought their food and shared it with others. Some would pray, other just sit on the floor and mediate, and the children, ran around enjoying the warmth and love of people around.”

Addressing the Wednesday gathering, Samawi said that the event is not only religious but also a national one: a symbol of coexistence and living in harmony.

Issa Gammouh, Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities secretary general, who deputised for Minister Nayef Al Fayez, said in his remarks that the ministry will work on promoting Fuheis’ archaeological sites and encourage its cultural activities like Saint George Day. 

The audience enjoyedsongs performed by celebrity singers Macadi Nahhas and Rose Elwer, in addition to hymns of the Orthodox School choir.

Macadi Nahhas, said focus should be on “love that connects humanity. This unique religious and cultural event spreads love, joy and happiness that I could see on the faces of my audience”.

Nahhas added that Jordanians have always been united and religion is not an element of division.

Attending the event was Zainab Marwan, a Muslim who works as a political researcher.

She told The Jordan Times that she has learnt about the event from Samawi’s Facebook post, and was intrigued to come with her friend to learn more about Christians and their traditions.

Marwan and the younger generation who attended the festivities Wednesday started to record their own memories of happy moments of divine feelings, love and harmony. 

SOURCE:   http://jordantimes.com/saint-george-anniversary-brings-christians-muslims-to-share-memorable-moments-of-harmony