St. Ephrem Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Amman, Jordan. Photo Credit: Hogshine – Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0 (Public Domain).
Final statement stresses that Christians are an integral part of their
societies and partners in building the future, condemns the terrorist attack on
St. George’s Church in Karak
Amman – Ishtar TV
The “Christians of the East: Participants in Building the Future”
conference concluded in the Jordanian capital, Amman, on 29–30 October 2026,
issuing a final statement containing recommendations aimed at strengthening the
Christian presence in the Middle East, promoting equal citizenship, expanding
participation in political, social and economic life, and advancing partnership
among the region’s religious and cultural communities.
The conference was organized by the Catholic Center for Studies and
Media in cooperation with the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, with the
participation of official, church, academic and intellectual figures from
Jordan, several Middle Eastern countries and Germany.
In their statement, participants expressed their appreciation to His
Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan, praising his continued
efforts to strengthen national unity, promote interreligious harmony, defend
the Christian presence in the Middle East, and protect Muslim and Christian
holy sites in Jerusalem within the framework of the Hashemite Custodianship.
They also thanked Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan for his
patronage of the conference, and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Imad
Hijazin for representing him at the opening session. The participants praised
Jordan’s role as a model of coexistence and its commitment to providing space
for dialogue and engagement among different religious and cultural communities.
Condemnation of the Attack on St. George’s Church in Karak
The participants expressed profound sorrow over the terrorist attack
targeting the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in the village of Hamoud, in
Jordan’s Karak Governorate, which claimed the lives of nine people.
They extended their condolences to King Abdullah II, the families of the
victims and the wider Jordanian community.
The statement strongly condemned the attack and rejected all forms of
terrorism, extremism and violence. It also praised the efforts and sacrifices
of the Jordanian Armed Forces – the Arab Army – and the security services in
protecting the country and its citizens and safeguarding the Kingdom’s security
and stability.
The participants further commended the expressions of solidarity
demonstrated by Jordanians, Muslims and Christians alike, describing them as a
reflection of national unity and the strength of Jordan’s social fabric in the
face of attempts to spread fear and division.
Christians as Partners in Building the Future
The final statement noted that the conference took place amid profound
political, economic and social transformations across the Middle East,
alongside challenges related to conflicts, migration and demographic change.
Drawing on the concept of “being together,” participants discussed the
future of the Christian presence in the region, emphasizing that Christians are
not merely communities seeking to preserve their existence, but full and
integral citizens and partners in building their societies and shaping their
future.
Conference sessions addressed Christian unity amid ecclesiastical
diversity, the role of diaspora communities in maintaining ties with their
countries of origin, Christian-Muslim partnership in serving the common good,
and the realities and contributions of Christians in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt,
Syria, Iraq and Palestine.
Recommendations to Strengthen Christian Presence and Participation
The final statement outlined a set of recommendations, including:
- Promoting
equal citizenship: Strengthening the rule of law, respecting religious
freedoms and fundamental rights, and ensuring that all citizens can
participate in political, economic and social life without discrimination
or exclusion.
- Moving from
preserving presence to active participation: Encouraging Christians to
contribute to reform, modernization, development and decision-making as
full partners in building their countries.
- Strengthening
Christian unity: Expanding ecumenical dialogue and cooperation among
churches and Christian communities while respecting each church’s identity
and developing joint initiatives in education, healthcare, social services
and humanitarian work.
- Activating
the role of diaspora communities: Building sustainable links between
Christians living in their homelands and those abroad, drawing on their
expertise and resources to support institutions and development projects,
while strengthening younger generations’ connection to their cultural and
national roots.
- Developing
Christian-Muslim partnership: Moving beyond dialogue and coexistence
towards practical cooperation in serving the common good through joint
initiatives in education, development and humanitarian work, and in
confronting poverty, extremism and hate speech.
- Promoting
stability and protecting human dignity: Supporting peace efforts,
protecting civilians, places of worship and religious institutions, and
creating conditions that allow people to live in safety, freedom and
dignity.
- Empowering
youth and women: Expanding opportunities for young people and women to
participate in church and community life, leadership and decision-making,
while investing in education, vocational training and initiatives that
promote employment and national belonging.
- Strengthening
participation in reform and development: Encouraging Christians to
continue contributing to political, administrative and economic
modernization, drawing on Jordan’s experience in citizenship and
coexistence while respecting the distinct circumstances of other
countries.
Jordan and the 2,000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Jesus in 2030
Participants praised Jordan’s role, under the leadership of King
Abdullah II, in promoting interreligious harmony and protecting the Christian
presence in the Middle East. They stressed the importance of continuing these
efforts to strengthen a culture of citizenship and partnership.
They also welcomed Jordan’s preparations to mark the 2,000th anniversary
of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030, describing the occasion as an
opportunity to highlight the Kingdom’s rich Christian heritage, strengthen its
position as an international destination for Christian pilgrimage, and present
its experience of coexistence and interreligious dialogue to the world.
At the conclusion of the statement, participants thanked the Catholic
Center for Studies and Media and the Jordan office of the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation for organizing the conference, as well as all speakers, participants
and institutions that contributed to its success.
The statement emphasized that the future of Christians in the Middle
East cannot be separated from the future of their societies, and that the
challenges facing the region require cooperation among all its people on the
basis of citizenship, justice and respect for human dignity.
The conference concluded with a message that the future of the Middle
East cannot be built through fear of the other, but through trust and
cooperation; nor can one community’s dignity be protected in isolation from
others. Rather, the rights and dignity of all must be safeguarded.
The participants affirmed that Christians are not on the margins of the
region’s future, but are partners in shaping it. They called for a transition
from survival to participation, from protection to partnership, and from
discussing the future to actively helping build it.
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