wfn.org | Jordan: Religious Leaders and Governments Play Significant

["Frank Imhoff" <Frank.Imhoff@elca.org>]

Jordan: Religious Leaders and Governments Play Significant Role in
Education for Peace 
LWF Delegation Calls for Joint Efforts in Promoting Co-existence
 
AMMAN, Jordan/GENEVA, 30 August 2005 (LWI) - The role of faith
communities in promoting a culture of non-violence, respect for all
religions and peaceful co-existence was one of the major issues
discussed during meetings between leaders of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) and representatives of the Jordanian government in
Amman.

At a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badran, LWF President
Bishop Mark S. Hanson, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko and
LWF Vice-President for the Asian region, Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan
commended Jordan's contribution to the Middle East peace process,
especially its support for inter-religious dialogue and far-reaching
efforts to promote a culture of non-violence in resolving conflict. The
meeting with Badran who is also Minister of Defence was also attended by
Foreign Minister Farouq Qasrawi.

Hanson led the LWF delegation to Jordan August 26-29, ahead of this
year's meeting of the LWF Council that begins in Jerusalem today. 

During separate meetings with the king's personal envoy Prince Ghazi,
and advisor, Mr Akel Biltaji, the significance of religious education in
early schooling was discussed. Jordan, the LWF delegation learned, is
involving students in education projects that promote religious
tolerance. The LWF leaders also commended Jordan's role as the
custodian of holy sites in the Holy Land.

The representatives of the Jordanian government and king commended the
LWF for its support to Palestinian refugees over several decades
especially through humanitarian relief work. They also expressed
willingness to work with the ELCJHL and LWF on joint efforts to promote
practical religious co-existence.

During the three-day stay in Jordan, the LWF delegation also visited Mt
Nebo, described in the Bible as the place where Moses the prophet saw
the "promised land," and is believed to have died at or near the
mountain. 

Hanson preached at a eucharistic worship service at the ELCJHL Good
Shepherd Church in Amman. In his sermon based on Mark 1: 40-45, he
reminded Christians of the call to stand in solidarity with all of those
who suffer in the world. Rev. Samer Azar, the congregation's pastor
presided over the worship. (366 words)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138
member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a total
membership of nearly 66 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member
churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith
relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights,
communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work.
Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service.
Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent
positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the
dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be
freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

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