AMMAN — The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs on Thursday held a ceremony to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week, in cooperation with the Supreme Judge Department, the Iftaa Department and the Jordanian Centre for Interfaith Coexistence Studies, under the theme “Jordan: A Model of Harmony Among Followers of Sects and Religions.”

 

World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed annually during the first week of February, following its adoption by the UN General Assembly in 2010 upon an initiative launched by His Majesty King Abdullah to promote harmony among followers of different faiths, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

 

Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh, who attended the event on behalf of the prime minister, said the occasion reflects Jordan’s vision of coexistence and mutual respect, rooted in the Royal initiative.

 

Khalaileh said Islam has, since its emergence, called for tolerance and human harmony, noting that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) translated these principles into practice through the establishment of the Medina community based on citizenship and peaceful coexistence, as set out in the Charter of Medina, which guaranteed religious rights and freedoms for all.

 

He added that Islamic Sharia upholds justice, benevolence and fairness in relations with others, while rejecting violence, extremism and attacks on civilians, stressing that promoting tolerance has become an urgent necessity amid growing global conflicts and violations.

 

Jordan represents a firmly established model of interfaith coexistence, he said, drawing on the tolerant message of Islam and inspired by the Charter of Medina and the Umari Covenant, while continuing to project an image of Islam based on moderation and humanity.

 

Chief Islamic Justice Abdul Hafiz Rabtah said shared human values among followers of different religions far outweigh areas of disagreement, citing reverence for God, moral values, justice, support for the oppressed and the protection of human dignity.

 

He warned that the spread of hate speech and extremism threatens human awareness and behaviour, adding that developments in Gaza reflect a dangerous departure from values of compassion and reason, and highlighting the risks posed by the erosion of the human conscience.

 

Grand Mufti Ahmad Hasanat said the world is witnessing a troubling rise in religious hatred and extremism, accompanied by serious violations of human dignity, particularly in Palestine and the Gaza Strip.

 

He added that Jordan continues to promote a robust model of citizenship and peaceful coexistence, noting that World Interfaith Harmony Week carries a global humanitarian message calling for dialogue, rejection of violence and the promotion of mercy and mutual respect.

 

Director of the Jordanian Centre for Interfaith Coexistence Studies Father Nabil Haddad said harmony in Jordan is not a symbolic slogan but a deeply rooted way of life and an integral part of the country’s identity and moral values.

 

He said the Royal initiative launched 16 years ago marked a turning point in promoting a culture of compassion, love and mutual respect among followers of religions, gaining global recognition through its adoption by the United Nations.