Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday welcomed Patriarch Youssef Absi, the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, to discuss the protection of Christian communities in the Middle East. The meeting, also attended by Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, focused on the importance of safeguarding the rights of all societal components in Syria.
According to Jordan News Agency, King Abdullah II reiterated Jordan’s commitment to supporting Syria in maintaining its security and stability. He emphasized the significance of the Hashemite Custodianship over both Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, underlining Jordan’s dedication to standing by Palestinians and protecting Eastern Christian communities and their sacred places.
Patriarch Absi acknowledged Jordan as a model for coexistence and respect for Christian communities, highlighting His Majesty’s initiatives such as the Amman Message, “A Common Word”, and World Interfaith Harmony Week, which promote interfaith dialogue and understanding. The meeting also included Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh and leaders of the Melkite Greek Catholic churches from Jordan, Jerusalem, and Lebanon.