Christians in Jordan pray for Kasasbeh’s safe return AMMAN — The news of the capture of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh by the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria cast a pall on Christmas celebrations in Jordan, according to local religious leaders. The Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot was captured by IS a day before Christmas after his plane went down in northeastern Syria, prompting members of the Christian community to pray on Christmas for his safe return. Father Rifat Bader, director of the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media, told The Jordan Times that the mood on Christmas Eve turned from joy and jubilation to a gloom tempered with hope for Kasasbeh’s return. “The solidarity of all Christians with Muath’s family during that night was intense and very sincere; unanimously, and without prior arrangements, the faithful around the Kingdom felt the obligation to make a special and sincere prayer for Muath’s safety and return home,” said Bader. The faithful also prayed that officials be granted the wisdom and patience to resolve this incident and avoid escalation, he added. “Extremism does not represent any religion. All religions are in the service of humanity, and I strongly believe that our society stands united,” Bader said. Father Adel Mdanat, a Greek Orthodox priest in Karak Governorate, told The Jordan Times in a phone interview that the special services on Christmas Eve had an extra purpose this year. “Before the main service took place, churches in the governorate were united in praying for Muath’s safety while in the hands of IS, and prayers went as well to his family for God to grant them patience and strength until their son returns home safe and sound,” Mdanat said. In solidarity with the Karak-born Kasasbehs, the southern governorates traditions of Christmas activities and social gatherings were cancelled and limited to religious celebrations, he added. Kasasbeh is every Jordanian’s son and brother, and the news of his arrest is a national pain, said Mdanat, who — along with other key figures of Karaks Christian community — visited the pilots family on Christmas day to offer support during such a difficult time. “On behalf of all Christian families in the governorate, I spoke to the Kasasbeh family expressing sorrow and pain for this horrific incident, assuring them that they are not alone in their agony,” said Mdanat. Emad Hijazeen, Petra Archaeological Park commissioner and a resident of Karak Governorate (140km south of Amman), said representatives of the Hijazeen family gathered on Christmas morning at the Kasasbeh family home to offer support and encouragement. “We understand the need to stand by the Kasasbehs as one family, especially during their time of pain, encouraging them... [by letting them know] that we are praying for them and for our son, Muath, to return home safe,” Hijazeen said. In Fuheis, 20km northwest of Amman, Father Imad Alamat, Latin Parish priest, said all Christian denominations in the district agreed to pray for peace in the Kingdom and neighbouring countries, and to dedicate a special prayer time for Muath’s safety and return. “During the holy mass on Christmas eve, the faithful were kneeling, some were standing with their hands raised up high and their eyes closed, and others prayed with tears for the pilots safe return. The atmosphere was profound,” Alamat said. Habis Nimat, Alliance Church pastor in Ammans Marj Al Hamam, said churches around Jordan deeply sympathise with the Kasasbeh family. “There is no better way to express our solidarity with the Kasasbeh family than praying for them, the Jordanian army, and Muath’s safe return,” Nimat said. Majda Ayoub, a Jordanian living in the US, said she learned about the pilot’s capture through social media, and her family and church members are praying for Muath. The news brought sadness to all Jordanians, especially those far away from home, she said. On Saturday, the Catholic Centre for Studies and Media said all churches in Jordan will pray in Sunday mass for Kasasbeh. In a statement issued by the centre, Bader said Latin Bishop of Jordan Maroun Lahham has urged priests at every church in Jordan to pray for the prevalence of security in the Kingdom and for Kasasbeh and his family. Jordan times.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 10:15:59 +0000
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