Jordan has been classified as one of the major jewels in the world with regards to religious tourism in its capacity as part of the Holy Land. It prides itself for containing numerous Christian sites that religious tourists eagerly scramble to visit, so as to feel the aroma of holiness and beauty.
As several parts of the world are cloaked in states of instability including wars, tourism in general drops to a low level amid fears of conflagrations that could spread to parts of the world already enjoying a state of stability and security.
These days, around 39,000 pupils in Gaza would have had to take their school-leaving exams. Like many other Palestinian students, like many other Israeli students, like many other students around the world. The graduation exam is important, it marks a stage in life, it is the transition to adulthood.
There would have been 39,000 students, but nobody can know who didn't show up for the exam because they are no longer there or because their body is still under the rubble.
People watch films in general for entertainment, yet there are films that leave indelible and everlasting impressions upon viewers. Such films touch deeply on people's feelings towards various impressive aspects of life.
One of the most ever-renowned films is "‘Jesus Thirsts’ whereby"“viewers, often with tears in their eyes, have rediscovered a beauty in their faith that they had perhaps only glimpsed before. Many fallen-away Catholics and those outside the Church have shared how the film illuminated for them the very heart of Catholicism.”
In a world abounding with several types of evil represented in wars--which result in numerous forms of destruction to societies--that kill bodies, the world currently comes under the influence of certain demonic activities represented in certain practices that kill the souls and send people into a bleak abyss that has no end.
In 2002, I was invited by the recently established Al-Hussein Ibn Talal University to speak at an international conference on the thought of King Hussein Ibn Talal. Several views, expertise, and studies were presented about the insightful thought of Al-Hussein, may his soul rest in peace. Today, marking the 25th anniversary of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein Ibn Talal ascension to the Throne, I find myself also thinking about the development in the activities of Christian institutions during the period of this reign which is qualified by goodness.
In modern time, as has been the case most of the time, people get deeply involved in endless chores of life, get engaged with various mundane luxuries to the point that they deliberately ignore the presence of the Divine Power that controls every minute details relevant to daily affairs.
People are regularly involved with concerns relevant to securing financial affairs, among others, to ensure a decent life at a time when turbulent affairs stand in the way and difficulties continue to emerge from time to time.
Ten years ago, Pope Francis’ plane touched down in Amman, marking the 4th papal visit to Jordan and Palestine, in its capacity as a pilgrimage to the holy places. It was also the third visit during the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein, who received at the same Amman Airport Pope John Paul II in 2000, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, and Pope Francis in 2014.
Jubilation has been missing for a long time in the world, which has been suffering from intermittent wars associated with economic difficulties at a time when people live in a state of despair and fail to see a bright or promising future. Jubilation is the outcome of a state of stability associated with political, financial, and social satisfaction as well as meeting all tenets of a decent life. Jubilation is not only missing in turbulent countries, but also missing in the most advanced societies that boast scientific achievements in all walks of life.
The most wonderful part about the interview with His Royal Highness Prince Hussein Ibn Abdullah II is that he went to Ajloun in the second half of the wonderful interview, at a time when it is the first one by His Highness the Prince screened on an Arab satellite channel. He flew over Ajloun in his helicopter, to see the trees, forests, and beautiful terrain. He circled over Ajloun Castle, the site of Mar Elias and the grotto of Our Lady of the Mount, to be in his flight the largest promoter of Jordanian religious, historical, natural, and adventurous tourism.
