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Ammon News - by Mads Nørgaard-Larsen | The Jordan Times

AMMAN — Young Jordanians active in civil society on Thursday presented action plans to promote the values of the Amman Message.

“My group will use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the message,” Mohammed M. Al Omoush said at the conclusion of a workshop at the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS).

During the course of the three-day workshop, participants spanning different religious and geographical backgrounds were provided with tools to facilitate peaceful inter-religious co-existence, respectful dialogue and tolerance.

“This workshop has enabled me to speak about the Amman Message in my village, my organisation and my mosque,” said Suleiman Al Khawaldeh, adding that many Jordanians know the Amman Message by name, but not its content, purpose and aim.

Action plans included spreading the message through social media, schools, posters, universities and the All Jordan Youth Commission.

“I want to make a presentation about the Amman Message for high school students,” said Haya Sani Al Fawaeer, explaining that she had known little about the message before joining the workshop, but now “will teach others”.

The workshop, which began on Tuesday, was part of the wider Amman Message promotion project funded by the EU and conducted by RIIFS in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

“The message is important, and I think it will improve the image of the Arab world, said Omoush. “I will spread the message to my friends, my family and everyone I know.”

The Amman Message seeks to affirm what Islam is and what it is not, and what actions represent it and which do not, according to the Promotion of the Amman Message booklet.

It was issued in 2004 based on directives by His Majesty King Abdullah and later endorsed by leading Islamic scholars to counter religious extremism and to promote the humanitarian face of Islam.“We need to remind ourselves, and assure the world, of the true and peaceful nature of Islam,” said Kamel Abu Jaber, RIIFS director and former foreign minister, noting that the current bloodshed throughout the region only increases the importance of the message.

“The Arab world is bleeding, and the Amman Message is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.”