Amman, May 20 - The Senate Palestine Committee, headed by Senator Mazen Darwazeh, met with the heads of church councils in the Kingdom on Tuesday.
Senator Darwazeh said that the meeting reflects the depth of national partnership and the shared destiny among the people of this nation, from all walks of life, under the banner of the wise Hashemite leadership, which has always been a protector of the national and religious heritage and a symbol of the historical custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
He pointed out that the Christian presence in Jordan and the region is an integral part of the Arab fabric, not only as a population, but also as a civilizational, cultural, and spiritual contribution. He added that preserving the Christian presence in Jordan and the Levant is a religious and historical duty.
Senator Darwazeh explained that the legislative responsibility for this came with the enactment of the Christian Communities Councils Law No. (28) of 2014, which was established primarily to protect the ecclesiastical and social heritage of Christians in Jordan and ensures their pioneering role in building the state and consolidating diversity. He pointed out that the persecution of the Christian presence in Palestine, and the attempts to Judaize and obliterate Christian holy sites, require all of us to take a clear stance, stemming from a belief in the justness of the cause and a political and spiritual awareness of the dimensions of what is happening.
He also touched on the importance of contributing to attracting investments to the Kingdom, across various governorates, to support local communities and promote development. The committee also hopes to promote the Baptism Site as a destination for Christian pilgrimage, proposing to explore "the possibility of facilitating the granting of Christian pilgrimage visas to Christians around the world, in coordination with the relevant authorities."
The meeting was attended by the heads of the church councils in Jordan: Archbishop Christoforos, Greek Orthodox Archbishop; Father Joseph Sweid, Patriarchal Vicar of the Lebanese Maronite Church; Father Antonios Sobhi Abdelmalik, Head of the Coptic Orthodox Church; and His Holiness Father Benjamin Shimon, Delegate of the Syriac Orthodox Archbishop; along with Father Nabil Haddad, General Vicar of the Greek Catholic Church; Archdeacon Faek Haddad, Vicar of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East; Avedis Abrajian, Vicar of the Armenian Archimandrite Patriarch; Dr. Imad Alamat, Secretary General of the Latin Patriarchate; and Father Ibrahim Dabour, Secretary General of the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan.
They discussed the most prominent challenges facing the Christian presence in the Levant, as a result of conflicts and displacement, which have led to a decline in their numbers in the region. They emphasized the importance of protecting the Christian presence in the region, which is an essential part of the social and historical fabric of the Arab Levant.
They emphasized that the churches continue to fulfill their mission, which is not limited to serving their own people, but also includes providing goodness and services to Muslims and Christians alike. They emphasized that the Jordanian home front is "impervious" to all sedition and plots, regardless of their source.
They noted the positions of His Majesty King Abdullah II in defending the Palestinian cause, raising its case in international and regional forums, and his continued defense of the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state on their national soil and live in peace.
They emphasized the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and its role as a safety valve for the region. They warned of the danger of undermining the status quo at the holy sites, especially Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and all churches, shrines, and monasteries.
They condemned the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which destroyed all infrastructure, including mosques, churches, schools, and hospitals, as well as the barbaric and brutal targeting of civilians. These practices are rejected and condemned by international laws, conventions, and norms.
For their part, the attending dignitaries emphasized the role of Christian clergy in Jordan in being a voice for truth and raising awareness by raising awareness of the danger of the Judaization of Christian antiquities and holy sites, and exposing the crimes of the occupation and their grave repercussions on the political and economic conditions in Palestine and the region.
They pointed out the importance of moral guidance and counsel, through church pulpits, in promoting national values, a unifying identity, and a shared heritage rich in civilizations. These constitute the foundation of our unity and stability, in light of our partnership in protecting the land, dignity, and mission.