Arab nations condemn deadly funeral attack at church in Jordan

By Mohamed Majed and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Officials, institutions, and factions from 11 Arab countries condemned Friday’s terror attack on mourners attending a funeral at a church in southern Jordan, expressing solidarity with the kingdom and rejecting attempts to sow division.

Condemnations came from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, as well as the Arab League and the Arab Interior Ministers Council.

The attack killed seven people and injured 27, according to Jordan’s Public Security Directorate.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy denounced attacks on places of worship as “an unacceptable terrorist act and a crime condemned by every standard,” pledging support for Jordan’s measures to protect its security and stability.

He urged national unity against attempts to spread discord, division, and chaos.

The Arab Interior Ministers Council expressed “full solidarity” with Jordan and confidence in its security agencies’ ability to apprehend the perpetrators.

-Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the attack violated the sanctity of places of worship, the deceased, and mourners.

“Terrorism has neither a religion nor a homeland,” he said, warning that it seeks to undermine coexistence and sow discord.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry expressed support for Jordan’s security, stability, and national unity.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein conveyed Baghdad’s solidarity in a call with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi.

The Palestinian presidency said targeting innocent people and places of worship is a crime that cannot be justified under any pretext, stressing that the attack will not undermine Jordanians’ unity.

Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh, Hamas, and Palestine’s Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs also condemned the attack.

The committee urged Palestinian churches to ring their bells at 9 pm Friday and urged Muslims and Christians to join a solidarity gathering Sunday at 11 am in Bethlehem’s Manger Square.

-Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pledged support for Jordan against “all forms of violence and terrorism.” The Foreign Ministry and Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed al-Tayeb also condemned the attack.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE rejected terrorism aimed at undermining Jordan’s security, while Oman condemned violence against places of worship and the terrorizing of civilians.

Kuwait and Qatar backed Jordan’s measures to preserve its security and stability. Bahrain also expressed support for efforts to pursue the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Jordanian authorities said unidentified gunmen opened fire on St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, Karak. Citing an unnamed source, public broadcaster Al-Mamlaka TV reported that two assailants stepped out of a vehicle and opened fire during a funeral.

Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh said security agencies are working around the clock to find the attackers, stressing that it is too “early to discuss the perpetrators and their affiliations.”

King Abdullah II pledged the harshest punishment for those responsible.

Rania R.a. Abushamala