A Royal iftar with the Jerusalemites

This is not the first time that His Majesty King Abdullah II hosts an iftar banquet to our brethren from noble Jerusalem. Yet, the iftar this year has a significant impression. It takes place a few days after the Christians celebrated the Feast of the Resurrection either according to the Gregorian calendar or the Julian calendar which was marked a week later. It also coincides with the last ten days of the Holy Month of Ramadan and takes place after all the worshippers heading either to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher or to Al Aqsa Mosque were subjected to harassments imposed by the occupation authorizes in a systematic and organized manner.

When sitting at the table of the King--who has returned from fraternal Egypt after holding discussions with his brethren the Egyptian president and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi--we realize that this is a natural move by the Hashemites intended for noble Jerusalem is the focus of the attention of the entire world. In this regard, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Pierbattista Pizzaballa said, "The association of the Royal Hashemite House, and especially your Majesty, with Jerusalem is internationally recognized. The protection and unimpeachable role is recognized and appreciated. Your Majesty's voice in these days has given us all comfort and affirmation of your closeness to the lives of the inhabitants of our Holy City."

An atmosphere of brotherhood and friendship prevailed among the participants including heads of Churches in Jerusalem and Jordan, as well as among those responsible for the Jordanian awqaf and the awqaf of Jerusalem, in addition to some religious figures who repeatedly meet with His Majesty for coordination and taking directives. His Majesty the King was sincere and clear about his continued shouldering of the historical and religious responsibility for protecting and defending Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, in addition to the rights of Muslims and Christians to practise their religious rites in their holy places. His Majesty the King had spoken with the American president moments before the start of the iftar which instilled certainty that His Majesty the King is the true supporter and backer of the Palestinian brethren, especially in noble Jerusalem where harassments takes place.

Those sitting at the King's table spoke, in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein ibn Abdullah, made addresses which expressed sincerity and included complaints about the numerous provocations taking place in the holiest days and the most spiritual moments that every person has the right to enjoy being the basic human rights, the most important of which of course is the freedom to access places of worship and prayer with ease and safety. But this did not happen during the past days. We really hope, as His Majesty the King said and with American guarantees, that there will be calm which includes preventing anyone with evil intentions from entering the noble Al Aqsa square especially on these days which are of high importance especially for our Muslim brethren who will celebrate Eid Al-Fitr in a few days.

Heads of Churches and representatives of the Jerusalem awqaf also hopefully spoke for the future of noble Jerusalem, especially after the end of the Corona pandemic, through the return of pilgrims to visit the holy places in Jerusalem and the rest of the Palestinian territories. But this impression has been distorted and destroyed by provocations, as the officials in charge of Al-Aqsa Mosque said that 150 wounded people are still in Jerusalem hospitals, given the excessive waves of violence that recently took place in Al Aqsa Mosque square.

We highly appreciate His Majesty the King's special care and concern for our Jerusalemite brethren. We, as churches in Jordan express solidarity with the churches and mosques of Jerusalem, given the historical value of the city of peace which is in the heart of the religious life of millions of Christians and Muslims. We always look forward to the ripe fruits that the Palestinians reap through the assiduous efforts that His Majesty undertakes at international forums. He will definitely visit the United States, and Jerusalem will undoubtedly be present in his heart, conscience, moves, activities, and addresses that he will deliver before the American president and all officials in the American administration.

We say: Thank you, Abu Hussein, and may God bestow on you good health and wellness. Fatigue that follows the surgery is evident on His Majesty the King, but he continues to meet the calls expressed by his people in Jordan of course, and also to support the Palestinian brethren. He does not hesitate to do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of Jerusalemites, who have a special place in the heart of His Majesty the King, in the heart of the Crown Prince, and in the heart of all honorable Jordanians in their holy country.

Happy feast…

abouna.org@gmail.com