Book on interfaith harmony to be launched today

AMMAN — Noted historian Raouf Abu Jaber will launch his new book "Nazareth — City of Christian Love" at the National Library in Amman on Thursday. 

The book focuses on peaceful coexistence between Muslim and Christian communities in the region, Abu Jaber, who has received his PhD from University of Oxford, said.

The scholar assert Nazareth, Jerusalem, Ramalah and Betlehem as "outstanding examples" of interfaith harmony.

"I strongly maintain that common life is the natural course of things and gathers people of different communities to enjoy life as good neighbours," Abu Jaber told The Jordan Times.

The Ottoman period began in 1518 and ended four hundred years late in 1918, Abu Jaber noted. The historian researched chronicles from the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly studying the rule of Sheikh Zahir Omar who was de facto autonomous ruler of Galilee. 

Director of the Institute at Washington College Joseph Prudhomme, Director of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media in Jordan Rifa't Bader and Mahmoud Yazbek from University of Haifa will be among the attendees.