Church leaders condemn attack on Jordanian church during funeral

Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem condemned a terrorist attack during a funeral service at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in the Hammoud area of Karak Governorate, Jordan, according to Al-Dostor. The attack, which occurred during a funeral, resulted in the death of at least seven worshippers and injured dozens, Al-Dostor reported.

Funeral and casualties

Thousands of Jordanians buried eight martyrs who died in the attack on the church in Hammoud town, ACI MENA reported. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan attended the funeral as a representative of King Abdullah II, while 17 injured people remain in hospitals receiving treatment, ACI MENA stated. A ninth victim is scheduled to be buried in a church in Amman, ACI MENA added.

The victims' bodies were buried in a prepared mass grave, and a monument will be erected at the site later to immortalize their memory, ACI MENA reported. The coffins were wrapped in the Jordanian flag and carried by members of the Public Security.

Official responses

Following the attack, the King directed the government and relevant institutions to review anti-extremist thought policies and increase efforts to dry up their sources, ACI MENA reported.

In a statement issued in Jerusalem, the Patriarchs and Heads of Churches emphasized that the storming of the church and random shooting at mourners is a grave crime and a violation of religious and human values, Al-Dostor said. The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem called on all churches in the region to ring their bells at exactly 12:00 noon Jordan time on Saturday 24 October to show solidarity with the Jordanian people, Al-Dostor said.