Targeting individuals during funeral rites inside a church carries deep psychological and human dimensions; a funeral is a space for grief, consolation, and solidarity, and when it turns into a theater of violence, the shock is not limited to the victims and their families, but extends to the society that feels that the values of mercy, tolerance, and safety have been assaulted. From a psychological perspective, terrorist events may lead to feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, and sadness, and shake a person's trust in their surroundings. Furthermore, following painful images and circulating rumors may increase anxiety, even among those who were not at the scene of the incident. Therefore, confronting the effects of terrorism requires a security and legal response, alongside conscious psychological and social support.
His Majesty King Abdullah II has emphasized, in his positions and speeches, the importance of protecting religious and cultural diversity, safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites, and preserving the unity and cohesion of Jordanians. These messages reflect the importance of responsible leadership in times of crisis, as they contribute to enhancing the sense of security and directing the society's feelings toward solidarity instead of fear and division.
From the perspective of social psychology, belonging to a cohesive society is an important factor in overcoming crises. When a person feels that their fellow citizens stand by their side, and that the pain affecting an individual or a group is a shared human responsibility, their trust in their society is strengthened and their ability to face shocks increases.
As for terrorism and extremism, they are sometimes preceded by intolerance, exclusionary thinking, and the dehumanization of others due to differences in religion, thought, or identity. Hate speech, intellectual isolation, and extremist indoctrination may contribute to creating an environment that fosters extremism. However, terrorism should not be reduced to a psychological disorder; it is a complex phenomenon in which intellectual, social, and ideological factors intersect, with the necessity of holding perpetrators of crimes accountable according to the law.
Religious tolerance is not a slogan we raise on occasions, but a daily practice based on respecting the beliefs of others, safeguarding their dignity, and rejecting attacks against them due to their differences. Moreover, the relationship between Muslims and Christians in Jordan represents a national and historical partnership, manifested in joys and sorrows, and in the shared responsibility toward the homeland.
It is important to emphasize that tolerance does not mean compromising on justice or ignoring crime, but rather means refusing to turn it into a cause for collective hatred or revenge; justice holds the perpetrator accountable, while collective hatred punishes the innocent.
Our responsibility today goes beyond condemnation and denunciation to include promoting a culture of dialogue, educating generations to respect differences, confronting hate speech, and consolidating citizenship based on equality and human dignity.
In conclusion, Jordan's strength lies in its unity and the cohesion of its people, Muslims and Christians, and in their ability to face violence without abandoning their humanity. Terrorism seeks to sow fear and division, but tolerance, awareness, and national unity remain essential elements for protecting society and safeguarding its psychological and social security.
