Prince El Hassan attends closing of regional interfaith conference with call for peace, coexistence
HRH Prince El Hassan, President of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, on Thursday attends the closing ceremony of the conference titled 'Christians in the Arab Levant and the Aspirations of Unity and Enlightenment' (Petra photo)
AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan, President of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS), on Thursday attended the closing ceremony of the conference titled 'Christians in the Arab Levant and the Aspirations of Unity and Enlightenment,' which brought together several prominent Christian leaders.
Attended by Muslim and Christian intellectuals, the event concluded with a call for interfaith dialogue, coexistence, and regional stability. Prince El Hassan emphasised the importance of cultivating a regional model rooted in dialogue and 'stability for sustainability,' according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Reviewing the two-day conference's recommendations, Prince El Hassan stressed that enlightenment and unity in the Mashreq require collective will and the development of a roadmap for both elite and grassroots initiatives focused on communication and bridge-building.
The final recommendations called for building on key Islamic declarations issued by Al Azhar to enhance Muslim-Christian relations, and for further developing the 'Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together' initiative, launched by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed El Tayeb.
Drawing on discussions during the conference, participants condemned the killing of civilians and the deliberate destruction of hospitals, schools, universities, and places of worship in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
They also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and denounced the ongoing violations against Muslim and Christian holy sites in Occupied Jerusalem.
Christian leaders who participated in the conference included Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem; Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch; Catholicos Aram I, head of the Armenian Orthodox Catholicosate of Cilicia; Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan of the Syriac Catholic Church; and Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian of the Armenian Catholic Church.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Jordan Times
3 days ago
- Jordan Times
King delivers Jordan's address at 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference 09 June 2025
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah delivered Jordan's address at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice on Monday. The week-long conference is co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, with hundreds of international leaders, officials, and experts attending from around the world, according to a Royal Court statement. In the address, His Majesty said that bodies of water are a vital shared resource, sustaining billions of lives. However, threats such as climate change, pollution, overexploitation and loss of biodiversity directly imperil them, with His Majesty emphasising that this is a critical moment in time for action on behalf of the world's oceans and seas. The King shared how Jordan has embraced science as a tool for transformation, noting that studies indicate that coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba are exceptionally resilient in the face of extreme temperatures, which gives hope for their survival and makes them a unique laboratory that can help to save coral reefs around the world. During the speech, His Majesty announced the launch of Jordan's Aqaba Blue Ventures and Global Centre for Ocean Regeneration, which will provide opportunities to test new technologies that can be scaled up for global use, the statement said . Following is the full text of the King's speech: 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Monsieur le Président, President Chavez, Mr. Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, It is a pleasure to join you today. And let me express my deep appreciation to the United Nations, and to the co-hosts, France and Costa Rica. This is a critical moment for action on behalf of the world's oceans and seas. They are a vital shared resource—sustaining billions of lives. Yet threats like climate change, pollution, over-exploitation, and the loss of biodiversity, directly imperil them. My friends, Let me focus on one of the most critical concerns—the health of coral reefs worldwide. Coral reefs are a crucial first-line defence for blue biodiversity and stability. They protect coasts, support fisheries, and generate trillions of dollars of socio-economic value. Yet, in a single human lifetime, nearly two thirds of the world's coral reefs have been lost. Reversing this loss is imperative. In Jordan, we have embraced science as a tool for transformation. Studies show that corals in the Gulf of Aqaba are exceptionally resilient to extreme temperatures. And this offers hope for their survival—and makes them a unique laboratory to save reefs around the world. That is why I am pleased to announce Jordan's launch of the Aqaba Blue Ventures and Global Centre for Ocean Regeneration. This Centre will be a proving-ground for new technologies that are scalable for global use. A next-generation coral propagation farm is already active. And we have in place a large-scale 3D printer for reef restoration. In developing this project, we have benefited tremendously from our partnership with my friend Philippe Cousteau, and other international collaborators. We are working to provide a pioneering model of regenerative blue economy—one that can be replicated for coral reefs world-wide. These collaborations reflect the importance of joint efforts. Technology will not be enough. We need inclusive partnerships. Global innovators. Cutting-edge scientists. And most importantly, local communities who are deeply connected to the ocean. Their experience is vital to lasting stewardship. My friends, Jordan has long chosen the path of stewardship and healing, despite challenges in our part of the world. We have vital national priorities to improve the lives of Jordanians. Some may see ocean or climate policy unrelated to these goals. We, like so many of you, know better. When nations choose to protect nature—even amid hardships—they strengthen their own resilience. When collective action regenerates ecosystems, we create new opportunities for all to thrive. Now is the time to make nature-positive solutions a mainstream part of global investment. Let us protect our planet's beating blue heart—and ensure our oceans and our seas thrive for generations to come. Thank you very much.' The King is participating in the conference as part of Jordan's commitment to supporting initiatives related to environmental and sustainable development issues, as well as the Kingdom's efforts at the international level to promote sustainable management and preservation of shared natural resources. The conference presents an opportunity for Jordan to showcase its achievements as well as the challenges facing the Gulf of Aqaba's marine ecosystem, in addition to building partnerships and attracting investments to support preservation of the Kingdom's marine environment, and promoting investment in the blue economy.
Roya News
04-06-2025
- Roya News
World Cup dream: Jordan faces Oman in crucial qualifier match
The Jordanian national football team, known as the Nashama, stands on the brink of history as they prepare to face Oman in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match tomorrow, June 5, at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat. A victory could secure Jordan's first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, a milestone that would mark a monumental achievement for the country's sports history. The match, part of the AFC third round qualifiers in Group B, kicks off at 8:00 PM local time and carries immense weight for both teams. Jordan, currently second in their group with 13 points and a +6 goal difference, is three points behind leaders South Korea. A win against Oman, combined with a loss for Iraq against South Korea in a simultaneous fixture, could clinch Jordan's direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Under the guidance of coach Jamal Sellami, Jordan has shown remarkable form in the qualifiers. Their dominant 4-0 victory over Oman in October 2024 at Amman International Stadium showcased their attacking prowess, with Yazan Al-Naimat and Ali Alwan each scoring twice. Oman, sitting fourth in Group B with 10 points, is not out of the race. Managed by Rashid Jaber, the Omani side is coming off a 1-0 friendly win over Lebanon and a 4-1 thrashing of a Niger 'A' team, signaling their intent to challenge Jordan on home soil. Despite their recent loss to Jordan, Oman's solid home record, seven wins and one draw in their last ten home matches, makes them a formidable opponent. A victory for Oman, coupled with dropped points by Jordan and Iraq, could keep their hopes alive for a top-two finish and their first-ever World Cup appearance. The head-to-head record slightly favors Jordan, who has won five of their 12 encounters with Oman, including the last two matches, while Oman has secured three victories and four draws. Since their first World Cup qualifying campaign in 1986, the Nashama have come close to qualification, notably reaching the intercontinental playoff against Uruguay in 2013. Their recent performances, including a 2-0 upset over South Korea in the 2024 AFC Asian Cup semifinals and second place finish in the tournament after a loss to Qatar, have raised expectations. With FIFA expanding the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, granting Asia eight direct qualification spots, Jordan's chances have never been better.
Al Bawaba
29-05-2025
- Al Bawaba
Jordan shot down drone near western border
Amman, May 29 (Petra) -- Jordanian military forces successfully intercepted a drone attempting to smuggle narcotics across the western border early Thursday morning, according to an official statement by the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Southern Military Zone, where border guard units detected the drone and responded in coordination with military security agencies and the Anti-Narcotics Department. Surveillance systems tracked the unmanned aerial vehicle as it attempted to breach Jordanian airspace.
