Christian leaders commend Jordan’s policy on Jerusalem

Christian leaders on Monday hailed Jordan’s efforts to preserve Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem.They made their remarks during a meeting His Majesty King Abdullah held with community and religious leaders in the town of Fuheis, 10km west of Amman, during which he extended his best wishes on the occasion of Christmas. At the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, Christian scholars highlighted His Majesty’s role in defending and safeguarding the holy Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem.In a speech on behalf of Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Father Romanos Samawi voiced appreciation of the King’s support for the sacred shrines, adding that the Jerusalem patriarchate is proud to be Jordanian and is keen on preserving the holy sites and properties in Jerusalem in light of the current difficult conditions the holy city is going through. Fouad Twal, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, highlighted the King’s support for Palestinians in Gaza and Jerusalem, commending the Monarch’s efforts to preserve the identity of Jerusalem and bring an end to Israeli policies aimed at emptying the city of its Christian and Muslim residents.Jordan, he said, sets a model to be followed in the Middle East and is a voice of reason and justice.Referring to the King’s continuous support for reforms and enhancing the living conditions of Jordanians and entrenching democracy in the country, Twal urged continuous dialogue towards achieving national goals.In a speech at the meeting, MP Dirar Daoud said that the reform process the King started will have a positive impact on the country’s progress as a nation of law and institutions.At the end of the meeting, the King was presented with a rare old copy of the Holy Koran, a gold-ornamented Bible and a model of the Birth Cave, where Jesus Christ was born, decorated with seashells.