On Wednesday 10 June, His Holiness the Pope and Patriarch Theodoros II met H.R.H Prince El Hassan bin Talal at Majlis El Hassan. The meeting was attended by His Eminence the Imam of the Hashemite Court, Dr. Ahmed Al-Khalayleh; His Excellency Bishop Dismas Al-Azra’i; and the Director of the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies, Dr. Tagreed Odeh, in addition to the Egyptian Ambassador in Jordan, Mr. Khaled Al-Abeid; as well as the journalist Mr. Fouad Al-Karsha and a number of Prince El Hassan’s associates and advisers.
The meeting proceeded in an amicable and understanding atmosphere, during which views were exchanged regarding common issues of concern, including regional and global developments, as well as the challenges facing countries in the region. The importance of promoting constructive dialogue and deep understanding among peoples and religions was highlighted, in addition to the need to consolidate the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence as the foundation for building societies based on justice, stability and peace.
The discussion focused primarily on the role of Christian-Muslim dialogue in countering extremist ideologies and fostering intellectual and cultural rapprochement between different parties, stressing the need to revive the spiritual values of love, solidarity and brotherhood across all communities.
His Holiness also praised what he described as the special relationship between H.R.H Prince El Hassan bin Talal and the Patriarchate of Alexandria, which has been strengthened over a period exceeding more than three decades. He highlighted the leading role of the Royal Institute for Inter-faith Studies, which was founded in the Jordanian capital, Amman, in 1994 under the patronage of Prince El Hassan, noting the ongoing efforts aimed to deepen cultural and religious dialogue and promote awareness of the importance of coexistence among different communities and faiths in the region and around the world.