Jordan Times
Sunday, December 27, 1998
Regent urges three monotheistic religions to work together
AMMAN (J.T.) — As Christians around the world celebrated Christmas Friday, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hassan, the Regent, urged followers of the three monotheistic faiths to coordinate their efforts to help re-establish peace and bring closer all nations of the world.
During a visit to the Latin Diocese, Prince hassan expressed good wishes in his name and the name of his majesty king hussein to the Christian community in Jordan and Palestine on Christmas.
In his remarks at the meeting, Prince Hassan said that the focus now at this crucial stage of history in the region should be on the message of peace in its spiritual and comprehensive meanings.
In a statement published in the French newspaper Le Croix, the Regent said that the message of Christmas embodies the meaning and the spirit of peace and tolerance.
Addressing the French nation, the Regent said: “While you in France celebrate Christmas and enjoy the good things of the world, I hope that you give some thought to those people around the world who are deprived of Christmas joy, of the good things and of peace.”
He added: “We have recently witnessed tragedies and sufferings befalling innocent people [the Iraqis] who inhabit a country close to Jordan and it is difficult to see these tragic events reconciled with the divine principles embedded in the religions of the Christians and the Muslims, which call for peace on earth.”
“Only with the return to the source of our common beliefs and the common principles which the two religions teach can we hope to see peace established, taking the place of fear which we witness today,” the Regent said.
Prince Hassan referred to the meaning of Christmas and its link to the Holy City of Bethlehem.
“At this time the Christians' attention is directed towards the birthplace of Christ in Bethlehem in the West Bank in Palestine remembering the appearance of the angel from heaven before the shepherds declaring the great event of the birth of Christ and the great joy to the world.”
Prince Hassan lauded the brotherly ties binding the Muslim and the Christian people and said the Holy Koran referred to the “great event of the birth of Christ.”
Also on the occasion of Christmas, which was celebrated by denominations of the Christian communities in Jordan, Bishop Riyah Abul Assal, head of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, issued a statement urging all Christians to celebrate.
“Christmas is a time when we expect joy to be ours and those of the rest of the world, a time to rejoice the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, to love and to extend love and peace.”
Criticising the recent U.S.-British air strikes against Iraq, the Bishop said: “The children of Iraq will not have Christians presents to enjoy except those U.S. missiles of mass destruction launched against Iraq with the words Merry Christmas engraved on them.”
As a result of these strikes, Arab Christians were facing a serious dilemma, he added.
“How can British Prime Minister Tony Blair present himself on public television declaring war on Iraq while a Christmas tree stands behind him? Is this not a defiance of Christianity and an embarrassment to fellow Christians. How can U.S. President Bill Clinton advocate peace in the Middle East a day before and then move to force war on Iraq?”
Denouncing the continued threat to Iraq, the Bishop said: “We call on life-loving, peace-loving people to speak out against both leaders who obviously do not value human life. This senseless violation of human rights must be stopped.”