VIDEO: Attack on Greek Orthodox Church in Jordan Shocks Centuries-Old Christian Community
MIDTOWN — The attack during a funeral at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hmoud, in Karak, has shocked the Christian community that has inhabited this region of Jordan for centuries.
Gunmen were seen on surveillance video opening fire. Nine people were killed, and more than 30 were wounded. Three suspects, two brothers and their brother-in-law, were later arrested after a shootout with security forces. The king and government quickly condemned it as an act of terrorism.
“It’s highly unusual. First of all, Jordan is a peaceful country, largely because of the government, largely because of the king and his commitment to inter-religious dialogue,” said Michael LaCivita, the director of communications and marketing for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association or CNEWA.
LaCivita says the level of discourse between Christians and Muslims in Jordan is among the best in the world. The Christians of the region trace their roots to ancient Bedouin tribes who settled in villages like Hmoud long ago.
“These are tribes, families, clans that have been Christians since before the time of Muhammad. So they are among the earliest people to have received the gospel,” he said.
Many work the land, while others are doctors, lawyers, professors and community leaders who help sustain the faith in Jordan. Ra’ed Bahou, CNEWA’s regional director for Jordan and Cyprus, based in Amman, says the attack was unprecedented.
“It never, ever happened that a church was attacked in Jordan. They grieve together, they live together, so they never have a problem concerning religion,” Bahou said of Christians and Muslims in the region.
Bahou says there’s only one solution Jordan’s Christian community is exploring now.
“We need to take extremism more seriously, he said. “Because what’s happening can affect the harmony of a society here in Jordan.”
Right now, CNEWA is working with churches in Jordan to improve security, helping to obtain and install cameras, while continuing to promote the faith and interfaith dialogue that have long defined the country.