Under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan and in the presence of Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Imad Hijazin who deputized for him,  a two-day “Togetherness” conference kicked off in Amman on Thursday, October 29, titled: “Christians of the East as Co-Builders of the Future.” The conference is organized by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media (CCSM) in Jordan in cooperation with German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, in the presence of official ecclesiastical, and academic figures from Jordan and several countries in the Middle East and Germany.

The two-day conference seeks to examine the future of the Christian presence in the Middle East amid the political, social, and economic transformations taking place in the region, with a focus on the role of Christians in their capacity as active citizens and partners in building their societies. It also aims to shift the discussion from a focus on survival to active participation, and from protection to partnership, while exploring ways to enhance the Christians’ contribution to shaping the future of their countries, as well as the role of the international community in supporting and empowering this presence.

In his opening remarks, CCSM Director Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader asked the attendees to observe a moment of silence and prayer for the nine victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attack on St. George’s Church in Hmoud township, Karak Governorate, while recalling their names individually. He stressed that the attack constituted a profound shock to Jordanians, while the expressions of solidarity that followed demonstrated the strength of national unity. He stressed that Jordan would remain steadfast in the face of terrorism and conspiracies which is attributed to its Hashemite leadership, its armed forces, its security services, and the cohesion of its united national community.

Fr. Bader noted that the concept of “Togetherness” that titles the conference stems from the belief that the future of the region is a shared responsibility among all its people. He said:  “We cannot think about Christians alone, or about Muslims as an isolated island. We think together, recognizing that the future belongs to all of us and that it is the responsibility of all of us.” He also praised Jordan’s preparations to commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Lord Jesus Christ in 2030, urging participants to promote Jordan as a destination for Christian pilgrimage. Furthermore, he emphasized the deep historical roots of Christianity in the Kingdom and highlighted the efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II to safeguard the Christian presence in its homeland and to defend the true image of Islam, while stressing the importance of partnership in building the future of Middle Eastern countries.

For his part, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Imad Hijazin,  who deputized for the prime minister, affirmed that Arab Christians are an integral component of Arab civilization and partners in shaping its cultural and human identity, while enriching its intellectual life, in addition to defining its present and future. He said that throughout its history, Jordan has embodied a firmly established model of common living between Muslims and Christians, with mutual relations based on brotherhood, national belonging, and a shared destiny. He emphasized that citizenship provides the common framework within which identities complement one another, while rights and responsibilities are safeguarded.

Hijazin noted that Jordan, under its Hashemite leadership, has continued to reinforce this message as His Majesty King Abdullah II has consistently embodied  a firm policy  in protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites, promoting harmony among followers of different religions, and defending the values of peace and understanding. He  added that Crown Prince Al-Hussein Ibn Abdullah II has likewise continued to support youth participation, to consolidate the values of citizenship and responsibility, and to contribute to building a future founded on the rule of law, while providing equal opportunities and partnership.

He pointed out that tourism is not merely moving between places or visiting landmarks, but rather a bridge connecting peoples, a means of fostering mutual understanding, and a tool for deepening mutual respect. He referred to Jordan’s prominent place in Christian history, particularly the Baptism Site which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, alongside Mount Nebo, Mukawir, in addition to other churches and historical sites. He drew attention to the preparations underway to mark in 2030 the 2,000th anniversary of the Baptism of Lord Jesus Christ at Baptism Site which convey a significance that extends beyond commemorating a historical occasion which represents an opportunity to introduce Jordan to the world through its authentic Christian heritage, its experience of common living, and its role in promoting inter-faith and inter-cultural dialogue.

For his part, German Ambassador to Jordan Dr. Bertram von Moltke expressed strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that targeted mourners attending a funeral in the town of Hmoud, in Karak Governorate, offering his condolences to the victims’ families and relatives. He lauded the expressions of unity and solidarity demonstrated by the Jordanians, including His Majesty the King and the Hashemite family, noting that these reflected the spirit of social cohesion that made Jordan a model of tolerance in the region. He said that he visited Hmoud earlier this week to offer condolences, where he witnessed firsthand the resilience of the local community and the solidarity of Jordanians. He stressed that hatred and violence must not be allowed to provoke division or threaten peaceful common living, while affirming Germany’s solidarity with the Jordanian government and people during these difficult circumstances.

The German ambassador underlined the importance of the initiatives that create safe spaces for dialogue on the present and future of Middle Eastern societies and the role of Christian communities within them, noting that promoting interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance constitute an important dimension of German-Jordanian relations. He commended King Abdullah II’s efforts to foster harmony among different religious communities, stating that the conference invites participants to reflect on the role Christians can play in shaping the future of the societies in which they live. He stressed that a better future for Christians in the Middle East cannot be achieved through revenge, but  rather through conscious and determined participation in developing their societies and moving merely beyond responding to social change towards actively helping shape it.

For his part, Thomas Rachel, German Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion or Belief and member of the German Bundestag, praised King Abdullah II’s efforts in upholding the Hashemite Custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem, expressing his appreciation for these efforts, particularly in a region where religious sites can become symbols of both shared heritage and political confrontation. He stressed that Jordan is an appropriate place to discuss the future of the Christian presence in the Middle East, given its deep Christian roots and the contributions that Christians have made to religious, political, cultural, and social life. He added that the Kingdom continues to offer a model demonstrating that religious diversity and national belonging can coexist.

Rachel emphasized that Christians in the Middle East are not merely communities whose presence must be preserved, but rather citizens and genuine partners in the history of their countries’ history as well as at present and in the future. Stressing that religious freedom is a universal human right that must be protected for everyone without discrimination, he addressed the challenges facing Christian communities in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Egypt, emphasizing the importance of equal citizenship, the rule of law, as well as confronting violence and discrimination. He also stressed that interfaith dialogue is a practical tool for preventing conflicts, enhancing cooperation, and that the future of the Middle East must be shaped by the people of the region themselves, in a way that enables Christians to participate actively in building their societies and to live in their homelands in security, freedom, and dignity.

The opening session, moderated by Veronika Ertl, Resident Representative of Konrad Adenauer-Stiftung in Jordan, featured a short film produced by the CCSM.

The CCSM also honored Engineer Rustom Mkhjian, former director general of the Baptism Site, in recognition of his dedicated work over a quarter-century managing the site while promoting its religious and historical significance. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Dal Toso, presented him with the CCSM’s shield in the presence of  CCSM Fr. Rif’at Bader. Furthermore, His Excellency Mr. Habib Afram, adviser to the president of the Republic of Lebanon, presented a commemorative gift from Lebanon to the CCSM as an expression of the bonds of affection and brotherhood between the two brotherly countries.

The first day of the conference includes three discussion sessions.

The first session titled, “Togetherness Across Denominations: Christian Unity as a Force for the Future,” featured Father Dr. Bassem Al-Ra’i, professor at the Lebanese University and lecturer at Saint Joseph University in Beirut; Dr. Viola Raheb, program director at Pro Oriente Foundation; and Dr. George Tareef, historian and former lecturer at the University of Jordan. The session was moderated by Mr. Omar Abawi, executive director of Caritas Jordan.

The second session titled, “Together Across Borders: The Christian Diaspora as a Bridge To a Future Transnational Identity,” featured Fr. Dr. Albert Hisham Naoum, director of the Media Office of the Chaldean Patriarchate in Iraq; Professor Dr. Lara Hanna Wakim, national coordinator in Lebanon for the United Nations Environment Program’s Faith for Earth Initiative; and Dr. Bernard Sabella, former executive director of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees at the Middle East Council of Churches. The session was moderated by Dr. Bader Al-Madhi, assistant professor at the German Jordanian University.

The third session titled, “Togetherness for the Common Good: A New Vision for Christian-Muslim Partnership,” with the participation of  Gabriel Moushe Gawrieh, member of the Syrian Parliament and head of the Assyrian Democratic Organization; Dr. Wadiaa Khoury, associate professor and researcher at Saint Joseph University and the Lebanese University; and Dr. Jamal Al-Shalabi, professor of political science at Hashemite University. The session was moderated by Dr. Amer Al-Hafi, academic adviser at the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies.

The second day of the conference, namely Friday, October 30, is devoted to two working sessions featuring ecclesiastical, academic, and intellectual figures from several Arab countries

The first session includes Latin Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan Archbishop Iyad Twal; Dr. Heba Makram Shrobim, member of the Egyptian Senate; and Mr. Habib Afram, president of the Syriac League in Lebanon. The session is moderated by Professor Dr. Abeer Dababneh of the University of Jordan.

The second session features Bishop Hanna Jallouf, Syrian Catholic Titular Bishop and Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo, Syria; Dr. Saad Salloum, Professor of Political Science at Al-Mustansiriya University and Director of the Masarat Foundation for Cultural and Media Development in Iraq; and Dr. Bernard Sabella,  representing Palestine. The session is moderated by Professor Dr. Amani Ghazi Jarrar, Acting Secretary-General of the Arab Thought Forum.