Madaba: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, called on Wednesday for deeper coexistence and solidarity, urging greater dialogue and shared responsibility amid mounting regional challenges and growing divisions.
According to Jordan News Agency, speaking during a meeting at the American University of Madaba, attended by ambassadors, ministers, members of parliament, and other dignitaries, Pizzaballa reflected on his pastoral letter and the context surrounding its preparation during what he described as a historically significant and turbulent era.
Archbishop Iyad Twal, Jordan's Patriarchal Vicar for the Latin Church, said the pastoral letter reflects an open, human-centered vision that encourages a deeper reading of present realities and promotes a culture of hope, responsibility, and coexistence. He added that it raises key questions on confronting fear while safeguarding human dignity under difficult circumstances.
Chairman of AUM's Board of Trustees Azzam Shweihat noted the importance of human values and social cohesion, emphasizing that education should prepare students not only for professional success but also for responsible and engaged citizenship.
Amer Hafi, academic advisor at the Royal Institute for Inter-religious Studies, called for strengthening a culture of dialogue, coexistence, and respect for diversity, while fostering the shared values that unite communities and support a future built on mutual understanding.
Author and academic Shahla Ujayli pointed to Jerusalem's role as a meeting point of spiritual, cultural, and human significance, stressing the importance of knowledge, dialogue, and intercultural engagement in preserving identity and building a more humane future.