Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Queen discusses attacks with school students
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Monday
joined a group of high school girls in a candid discussion of their feelings and
thoughts following last week's triple suicide attacks.
Upon her arrival at the Tla Al Ali High School for Girls, the Queen and some 50
students stood in a moment of silence and prayer for the women, men and children
who lost their lives in last Wednesday's bomb attacks on three of the capital's
international hotels.
Yesterday, boys and girls in schools across Jordan started their school day with
a moment of silence and prayer for the victims.
At the school's auditorium, Queen Rania listened as girls spoke of their
feelings of shock, grief and anger at the senseless violence which targeted
innocent civilians.
Her Majesty spoke of her pride at the courage of the Jordanian people as they
rushed to the scene of the bombings to help the wounded and also of the medics
who hastened to the city's hospitals to offer their services.
“We are one family, and we were all touched by this,” said the Queen in
reference to the unity of the Jordanian people in times of crises.
The girls, who ranged between 15 and 17 years of age, expressed their
determination to oppose terrorism and the ideology of violence and extremism.
They stressed that such inhuman actions have nothing to do with the noble
religion of Islam.
Her Majesty encouraged the girls to take part in the fight against this culture
of violence and hatred, noting that each citizen has a role to play in the
struggle against extremism.
The girls stressed the importance of dialogue, openness, critical thinking, and
human values such as respect for others and tolerance of different cultures and
faith.