The American University of Madaba (AUM) welcomed His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, on Monday, November 9, 2026. His Beatitude was accompanied by His Excellency Bishop Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar for the Latin Church in Jordan; His Excellency Bishop Azad Shaba, Bishop of Duhok; Chorbishop Zaid Hababa, Patriarchal Vicar for the Chaldean Church in Jordan; Fr. Karam Shamasha; and Fr. David Stephen. Also joining the delegation was Dr. Khair Al-Din Al-Amin, the Iraqi Cultural Attaché. The distinguished guests were received in the presence of Eng. Azzam Shweihat, Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees, and Prof. Adi Arida, President of the University.

The welcoming ceremony took place at AUM's auditorium, attended by members of the academic and administrative staff, along with a gathering of students. In his welcoming remarks, Prof. Adi Arida expressed his pleasure in receiving His Beatitude and the accompanying delegation, emphasizing that the visit reflects the profound shared mission of the Church in serving humanity through education. He highlighted that Catholic education extends beyond intellectual development to embrace the holistic formation of individuals—intellectually, emotionally, morally, and spiritually.

Prof. Arida reaffirmed the AUM's commitment to educating generations who combine knowledge with wisdom and apply their learning to build a better world. He emphasized AUM's dedication to upholding the values of truth, love, and human dignity while serving as a center of academic excellence and a welcoming environment for mutual understanding, tolerance, and dialogue among people of diverse backgrounds.

He also recalled the words of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who described the University as "a place of understanding and dialogue" during the blessing of its foundation stone on May 9, 2009. Prof. Arida affirmed that the University continues to embody this vision by nurturing students who become bridge-builders, fostering communication, understanding, and cooperation across communities.

Prof. Arida further emphasized that, under the gracious patronage of the Hashemite leadership, the AUM takes pride in its role in promoting peaceful common living among Muslims and Christians in Jordanian society. He stressed that education remains one of the most effective means of combating extremism and ignorance. He also highlighted AUM's continued commitment to welcoming students from across the Middle East, including those from the Gaza Strip and Iraq, providing them with opportunities for learning, hope, and a brighter future.

The event featured the participation of Iraqi and Palestinian students from the Gaza Strip, who shared their personal stories and experiences of studying at the American University of Madaba. Their testimonies highlighted both the academic and human dimensions of their university experience, as well as the supportive and inclusive learning environment AUM provides for students from diverse circumstances and backgrounds.

In his address, His Excellency Bishop Iyad Twal underscored the significance of the gathering as a reflection of the Church's mission to promote love, common living, and peace. He emphasized the essential role of education in developing individuals and strengthening societies, particularly in light of the recent events and challenges experienced by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He further noted that educational institutions play a vital role in cultivating awareness, instilling human values, and strengthening solidarity and national unity.

For his part, Eng. Azzam Shweihat, Chairman of the University's Board of Trustees, warmly welcomed His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona and expressed the University's deep appreciation for this distinguished visit. He highlighted the important role of educational institutions in advancing knowledge, promoting dialogue and mutual understanding, and reinforcing the University's academic and humanitarian mission.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the American University of Madaba presented His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his distinguished visit and in appreciation of his spiritual leadership and contributions to the Church and the promotion of love and peace.

Following the reception, His Beatitude and the accompanying delegation toured several University facilities, gaining firsthand insight into AUM's learning environment, academic resources, laboratories, and state-of-the-art equipment, as well as its student activities and campus facilities.

The visit reflects the ongoing commitment to strengthening ties between educational and ecclesiastical institutions and reaffirms the American University of Madaba's mission to advance education and knowledge while promoting dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Through these efforts, the University continues to contribute to the development of individuals and the service of society.