Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media Fr. Rif’at Bader has said that "it is no strange to have the Hashemites play a leading role and demonstrate generosity since this the characteristic of the great.” He pointed out that at the time when His Majesty the King rushes to rescue Al Aqsa Mosque and to provide material support to the mosque located in Jerusalem, the brethren in Palestine express pride that they have a backing, a refuge, and someone viewing them with care.
He added: “Today we are witnessing the generous provision for the restoration of the Holy Tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which accentuates the fact that the Hashemites’ custodian of the holy places in Palestine is a de facto application on the ground that precedes speeches and slogans since the Hashemites’ beautiful words are always associated with noble deeds. Moreover, the historical custodianship implies exerting unstinting efforts and providing support for the Christian and Islamic holy places alike."
He continued:"We, as citizens of dear Jordan and as Christians of the Orient, cherish and appreciate this invaluable gesture and sublime initiative. We also assert that it will have a good and tangible impact in two respects. First, it reinforces and strengthens national ties as well as the historical relations and the spirit of the real citizenship shared between Muslims and Christians. Second, it promotes and strengthens the Arab Christian presence in Palestine and in Middle East countries where Christians are exposed in some countries to persecution and displacement.”
Father Bader concluded saying: "This pioneering deed undertaken by the sagacious King will bear good fruits represented in consolidating the spirit of cooperation and cordiality between the followers of Christianity and Islam all over the world. It is no strange for the King, who opened the doors of his country to receive the displaced and those seeking dignity, to restore Lord Jesus’ tomb in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, which attests to the faith entrenched in the Arab soil. "
