JEDDAH: Jordan is still reeling from the terrorist attacks that left 19 dead, including five terrorists, an act of violence that brought people closer together, in solidarity against terrorists and with the security personnel who sacrificed their lives to maintain the country safety.
In a gesture that perfectly reflects the Jordanians’ cohesion, Christians in the country took the decision to cancel Christmas celebrations at grim times like these and out of respect for the gratuitous loss of life.
“We canceled all the celebrations and events for Christmas this year. The country mourns the loss of the victims. Celebrations cannot be held as others are mourning,” Mayor of Fuheis, a predominantly Christian town some 3 km west of Amman, Huweishel Akroush said.
“Every year, we celebrate the holidays together as one entity. This year, we will be mourning the death of our people in Karak, including the civilians and policemen,” he added.
The Christian congregation in Amman issued a statement in the aftermath of the two attacks that took place on Sunday and Tuesday in Karak, 130 km from Amman, expressing the grief and sorrow of the country’s Christian minority’s, which amounts to around 3 per cent of the population, at the tragic incident, and condemning the terrorist attack.
“We express our deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased and stand in solidarity with them in the face of the gruesome incident. We stand united, from all ethnic backgrounds, together behind our Hashemite leadership during these tough times,” said the statement.
Father Rifat Bader, the director of the Catholic Centre for Studies, announced on the social media that prayers will be held on Friday and on Saturday in the kingdom’s churches in tribute to the victims of the attacks.
He said in an interview on the Jordanian TV on Wednesday that the fight against terrorism has to start from its roots.
“We need to teach our children, as they grow up, love for their country and love for humanity,” he said.
On Wednesday, a Christmas tree was lit in the heart of Naour, a few kilometers to the west of Amman, featuring pictures of the security personnel who were killed in the line of duty during Karak’s terror attack and of the Canadian national who was also killed, in a sign of national unity against terrorism.
The tree was called “National Christmas Unity Tree” and Father Rifat said that Christmas celebrations this year are limited to religious rituals.
Head of the Orthodox Church in Karak, Father Adel Madanat, said Muslims and Christians have been living together for decades in the southern city. “We have shared tough and joyous times together. Out of respect, we will cancel all the events and festivities for the holiday season,” he said, calling for trust in the security agencies and respect for the law.
“Jordan is not divided. We are all mourning the losses of Karak. Regardless of our religions, origins or political affiliations, Christmas is not the same when Jordan is mourning,” said a woman from Karak.
In a gesture that perfectly reflects the Jordanians’ cohesion, Christians in the country took the decision to cancel Christmas celebrations at grim times like these and out of respect for the gratuitous loss of life.
“We canceled all the celebrations and events for Christmas this year. The country mourns the loss of the victims. Celebrations cannot be held as others are mourning,” Mayor of Fuheis, a predominantly Christian town some 3 km west of Amman, Huweishel Akroush said.
“Every year, we celebrate the holidays together as one entity. This year, we will be mourning the death of our people in Karak, including the civilians and policemen,” he added.
The Christian congregation in Amman issued a statement in the aftermath of the two attacks that took place on Sunday and Tuesday in Karak, 130 km from Amman, expressing the grief and sorrow of the country’s Christian minority’s, which amounts to around 3 per cent of the population, at the tragic incident, and condemning the terrorist attack.
“We express our deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased and stand in solidarity with them in the face of the gruesome incident. We stand united, from all ethnic backgrounds, together behind our Hashemite leadership during these tough times,” said the statement.
Father Rifat Bader, the director of the Catholic Centre for Studies, announced on the social media that prayers will be held on Friday and on Saturday in the kingdom’s churches in tribute to the victims of the attacks.
He said in an interview on the Jordanian TV on Wednesday that the fight against terrorism has to start from its roots.
“We need to teach our children, as they grow up, love for their country and love for humanity,” he said.
On Wednesday, a Christmas tree was lit in the heart of Naour, a few kilometers to the west of Amman, featuring pictures of the security personnel who were killed in the line of duty during Karak’s terror attack and of the Canadian national who was also killed, in a sign of national unity against terrorism.
The tree was called “National Christmas Unity Tree” and Father Rifat said that Christmas celebrations this year are limited to religious rituals.
Head of the Orthodox Church in Karak, Father Adel Madanat, said Muslims and Christians have been living together for decades in the southern city. “We have shared tough and joyous times together. Out of respect, we will cancel all the events and festivities for the holiday season,” he said, calling for trust in the security agencies and respect for the law.
“Jordan is not divided. We are all mourning the losses of Karak. Regardless of our religions, origins or political affiliations, Christmas is not the same when Jordan is mourning,” said a woman from Karak.
