Jordan

LWF’s Gratitude for Generous Support from Churches and Partners

ZA’ATRI, Jordan/GENEVA, 28 March 2013 (LWI) - “We received the shelters during the rains, but before the snowfall. Our first night in the prefabricated shelter was the first night we felt safe and warm in Za’atri refugee camp,” Omm Yaser recalls, with tears welling up in her eyes.

Thanks to humanitarian support from The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and other organizations collaborating with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the family of the 55-year-old mother and grandmother was protected from freezing and cold temperatures between December and March. They can sit together in the family’s “winterized room,” which is connected to the main prefabricated shelter attached to another four shelters, currently home to the household of more than 20 people.

LWF to Expand Assistance for Syrian Refugees and Host Communities in Jordan

AL TOURA, Ramtha, Jordan/GENEVA, 16 November 2012 (LWI) – It’s a short film clip received on a mobile phone—oriental music with fast drums accompanied by a sequence showing a man being decapitated. “The Syrian army spreads films like this to scare us. And to sell to international TV stations,” says Omar. “This is our life,” he adds.

Body Language in the Bond of Ecumenical Fellowship

TIMMENDORFER STRAND (Germany)/GENEVA, 8 November 2012 (LWI) – During an ecumenical worship service at the General Synod of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church of Germany (VELKD) Lutheran and Roman Catholic church leaders jointly made a symbolic affirmation of the common baptism of Christians.

LWF to Provide More Support During Winter

AMMAN, Jordan/GENEVA, 24 October 2012 (LWI) – In October, the Za’atri refugee camp is still a hot and dusty place but the coming onset of winter, when temperatures can drop to below zero at night, means Syrians who have sought refuge there urgently need protection from the cold.

LWF Urges Scaling Up of Aid Efforts for Basic Dignity

ZA’ATRI, Jordan/GENEVA, 28 September 2012 (LWI) – Winter is coming. And even though the late September sky offers no shade from the scorching sun and the drifting dust is a merciless reminder of the Jordanian desert, the months to come mean drastic changes. The 32 degrees Celcius will rapidly drop to single digits below zero at night, and the dust will turn into mud on rainy days.

World Service Joining Response to Record Influx

GENEVA, 29 August 2012 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is joining efforts to respond to the growing influx of Syrian refugees in Jordan.

LWF President Bishop Younan Gives Thanks for Common Work with Roman Catholics

JERUSALEM/GENEVA, 25 May 2012 – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan thanked Kurt Cardinal Koch for the common work between Lutherans and Roman Catholics, when the Vatican official visited the LWF offices on the Mount of Olives, East Jerusalem.

LWF Delegation Calls for Joint Efforts in Promoting Co-existence

AMMAN, Jordan/GENEVA, 30 August 2005 (LWI) – The role of faith communities in promoting a culture of non-violence, respect for all religions and peaceful co-existence was one of the major issues discussed during meetings between leaders of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and representatives of the Jordanian government in Amman.

At a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badran, LWF President Bishop Mark S. Hanson, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko and LWF Vice-President for the Asian region, Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan commended Jordan’s contribution to the Middle East peace process, especially its support for inter-religious dialogue and far-reaching efforts to promote a culture of non-violence in resolving conflict. The meeting with Badran who is also Minister of Defence was also attended by Foreign Minister Farouq Qasrawi.

Hanson led the LWF delegation to Jordan August 26-29, ahead of this year’s meeting of the LWF Council that begins in Jerusalem today.

During separate meetings with the king’s personal envoy Prince Ghazi, and advisor, Mr Akel Biltaji, the significance of religious education in early schooling was discussed. Jordan, the LWF delegation learned, is involving students in education projects that promote religious tolerance. The LWF leaders also commended Jordan’s role as the custodian of holy sites in the Holy Land.

The representatives of the Jordanian government and king commended the LWF for its support to Palestinian refugees over several decades especially through humanitarian relief work. They also expressed willingness to work with the ELCJHL and the LWF on joint efforts to promote practical religious co-existence.

During the three-day stay in Jordan, the LWF delegation also visited Mt Nebo, described in the Bible as the place where Moses the prophet saw the “promised land,” and is believed to have died at or near the mountain.

Hanson preached at a eucharistic worship service at the ELCJHL Good Shepherd Church in Amman. In his sermon based on Mark 1: 40-45, he reminded Christians of the call to stand in solidarity with all of those who suffer in the world. Rev. Samer Azar, the congregation’s pastor presided over the worship. (366 words)