Amman: President of the Arab Thought Forum and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the El Hassan bin Talal Centre for Postdoctoral Studies of Jerusalem, Prince El Hassan bin Talal, said Jerusalem’s significance will remain deeply rooted in the conscience of the nation. Attended by a diverse group of researchers, specialists, and experts from Jordan, the Arab world, and internationally, His Highness highlighted that heritage is a foundation of civilization. He called for moderation in Jerusalem, urging exploration of historical lessons rooted in understanding rather than persistence of oppression and isolation.
According to Jordan News Agency, Prince El Hassan underscored Jordan’s historic connection to Jerusalem, which dates back over a century, emphasising that the bond is a core belief held by the Jordanian people. Regarding endowments in occupied Jerusalem, he stressed the importance of collective reflection on transforming endowments into primary tools for stabilising the city’s residents. He proposed establishing a unified investment body to develop a comprehensive investment plan for endowments.
He discussed the “Jerusalem in Conscience” project, initiated over 20 years ago under the Arab Thought Forum, which focuses on supporting Arab and Palestinian Jerusalemites amidst ongoing crises. He noted that protecting cultural heritage is crucial in the context of regional conflicts, highlighting the importance of documentation based on modern principles to foster awareness and respect for heritage, knowledge, and learning.
He emphasised the importance of building bridges and breaking down barriers between cultures and peoples to counter rising sectarianism and fragmentation. He stated, “The cultures of the Levant embody enlightenment, the unity of human conscience, and universal values principles rooted in recognising shared humanity and respecting differences.” Prince El Hassan called for a shift from a culture of division to one of connection, advocating for proactive initiatives and strategies to address violence and terrorism, while keeping Jerusalem alive in people’s conscience.
He stressed the need to develop effective, influential communication policies and programmes that shape the future and promote progress. Mohammad Hosheh, Director of the El Hassan Bin Talal Institute for Studies and a Jerusalem historian, spoke about the deep spiritual, historical, and destinational ties between Amman and Jerusalem. He noted that the connections between Amman and Jerusalem transcend geography, with hearts linked before maps. From Amman, Jerusalem has always been a source of responsibility, love, and care, while Jerusalem’s residents have extended messages of loyalty and blessings to Amman, he said.
Hosheh added, “In Amman, the echoes of Jerusalem resonate in discourse and thought. In Jerusalem, its people live under the Hashemite guardianship, dedicated to protecting the holy sites and their identity. Just as the two cities share land and sky, they share history, memory, and an unbreakable bond.” Amer Hafi, Academic Advisor at the Royal Institute For Inter Faith Studies (RIIFS), highlighted the importance of critically studying colonial narratives surrounding Jerusalem’s history.
The first day of the conference featured three sessions, with four more scheduled for the second day. Participants include researchers and academics from Jordan, Palestine, Arab and Islamic countries, Europe, the United States, Canada, and East and Southeast Asia. The conference aims to foster cooperation among historians and researchers to produce high-quality, joint studies on Jerusalem. It will also focus on strengthening scientific research to support Palestinian rights, analyse current and future challenges, and encourage researchers to deepen their studies in Jerusalem’s history and future.
Prince El Hassan patronised the opening session of the two-day “Jerusalem Historians” Conference, titled “Jerusalem, Where to?” The event is organised by the El Hassan bin Talal Centre for Jerusalem Studies, the Arab Thought Forum, RIIFS, and the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA).