King meets church leaders from Jordan, Jerusalem and Christian figures on occasion of Eastern Christmas

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with church leaders from Jordan and Jerusalem, and a number of Christian figures, on the occasion of Christmas, according to the Julian calendar, at the Baptism Site Conference Centre at Bethany beyond the Jordan. 

Speaking at the meeting, attended by HRH Prince Ghazi Bin Muhammad, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, King Abdullah expressed best wishes to the Christian community on the occasion, according to a Royal Court statement.

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, who also heads the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan, noted the Kingdom’s international stature as a model of harmony, coexistence and civilised achievements, in remarks delivered on his behalf at the meeting by Greek Orthodox Patriarchal Deputy in Jordan Bishop Christophoros Attallah.

Patriarch Theophilos III stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, stressing the importance of supporting His Majesty’s efforts in this regard.

The King hosted a luncheon in honour of the attendees.

 Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Adviser to His Majesty for Communication and Coordination Bisher Khasawneh, Adviser to His Majesty for Policies and Media Kemal Al Nasser, Awqaf Minister Mohammad Khalaileh, Chief Islamic Justice Abdul Hafez Rabtah, Grand Mufti Abdul Karim Khasawneh, Tourism Minister Majd Shweikeh, and Minister of State for Prime Ministry Affairs Sami Daoud attended the meeting.