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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday expressed pride at Muslims and Christians living together in a spirit of brotherhood in Jordan, a model that is unique in the Middle East.

During a meeting with heads of Christian communities in the Eastern churches in neighboring countries and representatives of International Christian organizations at Al-Husseiniya Palace, His Majesty stressed the importance of strengthening dialogue between the followers of religions to maximize the common bonds and promote values of tolerance and moderation, as an approach shared by all.

The monarch urged the Christian leaders to support the bonds of love, peace, brotherhood, tolerance, acceptance of others, co-existence between different cultures and religions and their followers, and build bridges of dialogue between East and West.

The King stressed the need for concerted efforts on the part of all parties and full cooperation to face the challenges posed by fanatical, terrorist and hateful ideas, which have nothing to do with any of the divine religions.

In this context, His Majesty underlined Jordan's role in highlighting the true, tolerant and moderate image of Islam, through the publication of the Amman Message and the Common Word Initiative, and hosting religious conferences, including the "Challenges facing Arab Christians" conference, to strengthen dialogue and understanding among different religions, and promote moderation instead of extremism, intolerance and hatred.

The King warned of displacement targeting Arab Christians in neighboring countries, stressing the significant role played by Arab Christians in building the Arab-Islamic civilization throughout history, and their valuable contributions.

He affirmed Jordan's continued efforts to protect Arab Christians and preserve their identity.

His Majesty asserted that Arab Christians are an integral part of the Arab Islamic civilization, and they had a key role in the region's past and present and will continue to have in future, too.

The monarch pointed to the implications of the violations being committed in the city of Jerusalem, and the threats that Islamic and Christian sanctities are exposed to, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as a result of the repeated Israeli violations. He warned of the consequences of such moves on efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace, security and stability in the region and for its peoples.

Christian leaders expressed appreciation for the efforts undertaken by Jordan under the leadership of His Majesty the King to consolidate world peace, work towards convergence of views between the followers of different religions, and promoting dialogue, tolerance and brotherhood among them.

The meeting was attended by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, Chief Advisor to King Abdullah II for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy of His Majesty, Royal Court Chief, and Director of the Office of His Majesty the King.

*Petra