A press conference to announce the activities of the second edition of the Arab Christians Conference

At the conference, attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Nabil Ghishan, as well as writers, journalists, media representatives, and concerned parties, Sandouqa emphasized that organizing the second Arab Christians Conference stems from the Society’s belief in the importance of building a sustainable intellectual and cultural platform rooted in the authenticity of faith and the Arabism of identity, confirming that the Arab Christian presence is an authentic and active part of our region’s history, present, and causes.

She stated: "We aspire to enhance Jordan's position as an inclusive Arab country for sustainable intellectual and cultural dialogue, where researchers, thinkers, and clergy from the region and the world meet in a dialogue based on knowledge and responsibility, contributing to consolidating the values of openness, pluralism, and coexistence through the role of the Orthodox Educational and Cultural Society in providing a platform for enlightened cultural and intellectual interaction."

Sandouqa noted that the conference is held in light of the historical role Jordan plays in protecting and caring for Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, asserting that the Hashemite Custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem represents a unique model in safeguarding the Arab identity of the Holy City and preserving its religious and human heritage. It embodies a historical commitment to protecting the Christian and Islamic presence there and confronting attempts to erase its identity or alter its established and well-known historical and legal status, the "Status Quo."

For his part, the thinker Ghassib stated that choosing the topic of "Zionist Christianity" comes within the framework of the need to study the phenomenon, understand its origins and development, shed light on its dangers and the necessity of working to dismantle it, and examine its reflections on thought and politics, in addition to the transformations these currents have witnessed in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

He emphasized that Christianity was born in this region of the world, noting that the Holy Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, were delivered in the Aramaic language, which he described as "one of the ancestors of the Arabic language."

He explained that the conference aims to crystallize an authentic Arab Christian discourse to refute "Zionist Christianity" with arguments and evidence, stressing that Arab Christians are an integral part of the Jordanian and Arab nation.

Al-Ghoury, in turn, reviewed the inception of the (Orouba) initiative, which came to affirm the existence of Arab Christians and solidify their authentic, militant Arab Christian history in the face of Zionist ambitions and their followers, which target all Arab countries.

He emphasized that the (Orouba) initiative considers the nation's battle against "Zionism" not as a war between religions, as he also affirmed the initiative's rejection of "Islamophobia," the demonization of Muslims, and holding any religion accountable for those who exploit its name.

Al-Khouri asserted that the conference aims to restore the collective Arab presence in the face of challenges, rather than the retreat and tendency toward narrow identities witnessed in some Arab societies.

The Second Arab Christians Conference will focus on studying so-called "Zionist Christianity" and discussing its historical, intellectual, and theological roots and developments through multiple research approaches that seek to highlight the authentic Christian understanding of the Holy Bible and refute the flawed religious interpretations used to justify political and ideological projects.

The conference program includes a series of four specialized intellectual sessions addressing the Christian interpretation of the Holy Bible in both its Old and New Testaments, in addition to the patristic, ecclesial, and historical understanding, as well as examining the origins and development of Zionist Christianity and the intellectual and religious factors that contributed to its formation.

The conference will also discuss appropriate ways and mechanisms to refute it in the regions where it is prevalent in the American and European West.

The conference allocates a portion of its work to examine the Islamic-Christian partnership in facing intellectual challenges and in promoting common coexistence.

Through these activities and in partnership with a number of national institutions, civil society organizations, the Arab Christian Initiative (Orouba), the Jordanian Writers Association, and the Jordanian Jerusalemite bodies—represented by the House of Jerusalem Forum, Women for Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Day Society, the Society for the Protection of the Holy City of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Studies Center, the Orthodox Society, and the Jordanian Orthodox societies represented by the Arab Orthodox Renaissance Charitable Society, the Orthodox Club, the Orthodox Society, the Amman Orthodox Scout and Guide Group, the Levant Christians Association in Jordan, the Fuheis Cultural Forum, the Arab Cultural Society, the Arab Forum, the YMCA, and the YWCA—the Society seeks to establish the conference as a knowledge space that does not end with the conclusion of its sessions, but extends its impact through documenting scientific papers, discussions, and interviews and making them available via the Society’s digital platforms, thereby contributing to enhancing intellectual dialogue and deepening awareness of issues related to identity and authentic Arab belonging.

The Orthodox Educational and Cultural Society, by organizing the second edition of the conference, confirms the continuation of its cultural and educational role and its endeavor to provide a space for research and responsible dialogue on issues related to Arab and Christian identity, and to promote a culture of unity, openness, and dialogue.

The conference began with a minute of silence for the souls of the martyrs of the church in the town of Hamoud in Karak Governorate following the criminal terrorist attack.

A film was also shown about the first conference held last year and about the Society’s cultural and educational journey and activities.