His Majesty attends churches’ Christmas, New Year celebration

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein, on Tuesday attended a celebration at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in downtown Amman, held by churches in Jordan on the occasions of Christmas and the New Year.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, church leaders from Jordan and Jerusalem, and representatives of the Jerusalem awqaf, attended the celebration, organised by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan, a Royal Court statement said.

The King extended his best wishes to Jordanians, Palestinians and all Arab Christians on this occasion.

During the ceremony, representatives of the Jerusalem churches and awqaf seized the opportunity to highlight the importance of harmony between faiths, stressing that Christmas is an occasion to celebrate peace and love, according to the statement (read full story and speeches).

The speakers underscored the vitality of the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, reiterating that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty, will remain steadfast in defending the holy city, the statement added.

The two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital remains the only path towards peace, the religious leaders stressed,  expressing appreciation for the King’s donation of a large part of the Templeton Prize, received by His Majesty last month, for the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

The celebration, which is held under the theme “Jordan Land of Faith and Fellowship”, continues through December 19 at Al Hussein Cultural Centre and includes performances by the Fountain of Love Choir, the National Music Conservatory Orchestra and a number of performers.