ammonnews.net

Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bisher Khasawneh, Friday night attended Midnight Mass held at the Church of the Nativity in the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem.

These celebrations are held according to the Eastern Calendar for Greek Orthodox, Coptic, Assyrian and Ethiopian Christians .

During a dinner held before the celebrations and attended by Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, Khasawneh conveyed the greetings of His Majesty and Jordanians to Arab Christians, whom he said are an integral component of the social fabric of the Jordanian and Palestinian communities, wishing them a Merry Christmas and a happy new year full of peace and love.

The minister said that Jordan is keen to continue providing care and support for the Christian community in Palestine, who represent with Muslims a model in coexistence in Jordan and Palestine.

Khasawneh highlighted the depth of relations between Jordan and Palestine, stressing the King's commitment, as the Custodian of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem, to care and safeguard for these holy sites .

President Abbas highlighted the depth of bilateral relations with Jordan and commended King Abdullah’s role in safeguarding Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem.

Abbas also expressed appreciation for his Majesty's efforts in protecting holy places in Palestine, which is part of the historical Hashemite custodianship role over Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem.

During his visit, Khasawneh also met with Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III and delivered His Majesty’s greetings to him and to all Christian sects on their Christmas celebrations .

Mass celebration was attended by Head of the Jordanian mission in Ramallah, Khalid Shawabkeh, a number of Muslims and Christians religious leaders as well as Palestinian officials.