Amman, Dec. 21 (Petra) – Head of the parliamentary Tourism and Antiquities Committee, Salem Al-Omari, on Sunday lit the Christmas tree at Paris Circle in Amman.

The event was attended by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Imad Hijazin, Ministry Secretary-General Yazan Khudair, and Director General of the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) Ramzi Maaytah, with the participation of religious leaders and representatives of the local community.

Father Economus Basem Haddad said during the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, that the birth of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, carries a noble message calling for the spread of love, the consolidation of peace, and the rejection of all forms of hatred and animosity, grounded in spiritual values that promote tolerance and the making of peace. He noted that these values constitute an authentic approach within Jordanian society and are not merely slogans, as different religious components have historically lived in harmony and mutual respect.

He added that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, represents an advanced model in respecting human dignity, safeguarding religious freedoms, and entrenching the values of citizenship, dialogue, and acceptance of others, stressing that the strength of the nation stems from its unity, diversity, and cohesive national fabric.

He continued that lighting the Christmas tree symbolizes hope and peace and sends a clear message that love is stronger than all differences and that Muslims and Christians are partners in building and defending the nation, affirming that national unity constitutes a safety valve in confronting extremist thought.

For his part, Director of the Third Amman Awqaf Directorate Ahmad Kharabsheh said that Jordan has moved beyond the stage of coexistence to one of genuine shared living, where Jordanians share joys and sorrows and are bound by deep-rooted customs and traditions. He stressed that Jordan’s history has not recorded any breach of the values of citizenship and coexistence and that all citizens are partners in protecting and defending the homeland.

Kharabsheh affirmed that Jordanian society embodies the values of moderation and centrism, away from extremism and excess, and adopts tolerance and love in a manner that strengthens unity and safeguards Jordan’s security and stability.

//Petra// AF