Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Monday paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks on three Amman hotels on November 9, 2005.

The King and Queen joined family members of the martyrs who were killed during the bombings at a ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the coordinated attacks, which were conducted by Al Qaeda in Iraq.

Their Majesties laid a wreath of flowers at a memorial erected at the Amman Martyrs Park in honour of the 57 martyrs, according to a Royal Court statement.

The monument, which was unveiled in 2006, is inscribed with the names of the victims, who were killed when suicide bombers blew themselves up at the three hotels.

“I know this day is very difficult for you,” the King told family members of the martyrs and those who were injured in the attacks, noting that the tragic events the world is suffering at present due to terrorism is a reminder of what they had to go through 10 years ago.

His Majesty commended their high morale and courage, noting that they represent an example of Jordan’s and Jordanians’ courage that “we are always proud of in this country”.

The martyrs’ family members expressed their appreciation of the Royal gesture in standing by their side on this day on which they remember their loved ones who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists.

“It is a very painful memory,” noted Elham Taha, whose son was one of the injured.

“On this day, I remember what happened to my son who was working at Hyatt Amman and lost one of his eyes in the incident,” she told the Jordan News Agency Petra.

Noting that that the attacks toughened their resolve, Taha asserted Jordanians’ rejection of terrorism.
She added that the fact Their Majesties shared this day with them, has given them more strength.

Survivors, including Ashraf Khaled, whose wedding party was a target on that day 10 years ago, said Jordanians are now more determined to confront radical ideologies that try to tarnish the true image of Islam.

Khaled and his wife, Nadia Alami, lost 24 relatives and family members that night.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and several other officials attended Monday’s ceremony.