Jordan must defend its legacy of interfaith harmony against extremism

From the report

Jordan’s response to the deadly attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Karak must go beyond arresting those responsible. The kingdom faces a broader challenge: protecting its religious coexistence, preserving national unity, and preventing extremist ideologies from threatening its long-standing reputation as a haven of interfaith harmony.

Within just five days of the attack, Jordanian security forces arrested three suspects allegedly involved in the terrorist assault on a funeral at a Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hmoud, Karak governorate. The attack claimed the lives of nine Christian Jordanians and left 34 others injured, sending shockwaves throughout the country.

Although terrorism is not new to Jordan, nor is Karak unfamiliar with such violence, this incident represents a particularly disturbing development. Its apparent sectarian motivation raises serious concerns about attempts to exploit religious differences, undermine social cohesion, and damage Jordan’s image as a model of peaceful coexistence.