Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Sunday, 11 April 2021
Jordan: RIIF launches study on religious freedom during pandemic

By  Munir Bayouk/ en.abouna.org :

On Saturday, April 10, the Royal Institute for Interfaith Studies (RIIFS) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation launched the results of a study conducted on "The Freedom of Worship in Jordan during COVD-19 Pandemic" as well as the issued relevant recommendations and their effect on religious freedom.

 

During the ceremony, Dr. Renee Hatter presented the study, while the meeting was moderated by Professor Amer Al Hafi. In attendance were Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop William Shomali, Head of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation office in Jordan Dirk Kunze, Sheikh Dr. Rabi' Al-Abidi, Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan Fr. Dr. Rif'at Bader, Dr. Nadia Sweiss, Dr. Issam Mansour, Dr. Arwa Musallam, Professor Laith Nasrawin, Dr. Jamal Shalabi, Rakan Fakhouri, and Ms. Lynn Khayat.

 

The study examined the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the freedom of worship and the changes that have taken place due to lockdowns in Jordan. It indicated that the closure of places of worship aimed at preserving the health and safety of citizens, and that the Jordanian government has the right to use all means to protect the public good and the health of citizens in a way that does not contradict with the constitution despite the fact that some difficulties stand in the way.

 

The study confirmed that the majority of citizens were affected by the decision to close places of worship at the spiritual, psychological, social and economic levels, which prompted several religious associations to help mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic. It also showed that clergymen played a positive role during lockdowns by launching funds as well as raising public awareness through the homilies and prayers which were designed to urge people to free themselves from fear and tension during the difficult times imposed by the pandemic.

 

Furthermore, the study confirmed that the lockdown did not impact the practice of religious rites but rather contributed to increasing them, and  indicated that the pandemic demonstrated solidarity in the Jordanian society as several individual initiatives emerged that demonstrated the ability of Jordanians to do volunteering work in the service of the society.

 

The study called for giving greater attention to mental health, as well as for increasing coordination among the government, the decision-makers, the civil society organizations, the clergymen, journalists and experts from various disciplines, in order to share information about the epidemic as well as to enhance efforts to confront it. It also recommended promoting cooperation with the World Health Organization, increasing cooperation to develop religious discourse, spreading concepts of plurality and accepting the others, as well as raising awareness of the importance of common living.