Amman: HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, President of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies (RIIFS), inaugurated the Christians in the Arab Levant and the Aspirations of Unity and Enlightenment conference, organized by the Institute.
According to Jordan News Agency, Prince El Hassan emphasized that freedom of belief and equal citizenship are essential for a modern society. He highlighted the importance of embracing diversity in the Levant, which he described as “the Levant of all Levantines,” and called for equality based on citizenship, partnership, and solidarity against polarization and hatred.
Prince El Hassan also stressed the need for cultural and human dialogue among followers of different religions and the strengthening of shared values to foster cooperative independence in the Levant. He reaffirmed the common humanity of all its people and advocated for a unified understanding of regional policies to maintain the region’s balance amidst global turbulence. Mentioning the Sykes-Picot Agreement, he pointed out its role in religious and sectarian fragmentation.
The conference’s opening session included several prominent Christian leaders. Patriarch Theophilos III, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, praised King Abdullah II’s role in interfaith dialogue and the protection of holy sites in Jerusalem. He highlighted the challenges facing Christians in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza.
Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II emphasized the historical coexistence and shared heritage of the region’s peoples. He noted the significant contributions of Christians and Syriac scholars to Arab civilization from the 7th century onward, particularly during the Abbasid era.
Catholicos Aram I called for religious and cultural tolerance, advocating a new dialogue framework and warning against the politicization of religion. He stressed the transition from dialogue to peaceful coexistence amid regional diversity.
Patriarch Younan advocated for strengthening values of brotherhood and coexistence, asserting that Christianity is deeply rooted in Eastern culture and that enlightenment is essential for resisting extremism.
Patriarch Minassian expressed gratitude for the hospitality of the Jordanian people and the Hashemite leadership in welcoming Christians, including those fleeing violence in Iraq and Syria.
The conference is set to continue on Thursday, following three sessions held on its first day.