Amman — Friday was anything but an ordinary day for Jordanians. A day usually spent gathering around lunch tables, visiting relatives, taking trips and enjoying family gatherings turned into a heavy and painful one, filled with grief and shock after the attack on a church in the village of Hamoud in Karak Governorate shook the nation and cast a shadow over households across the country.
اضافة اعلان
Jordanians sat glued to their television screens, following developments and the aftermath of the attack. Shock quickly spread across social media, which filled with expressions of grief, prayers for the victims and injured, and messages conveying the pain people felt over what had happened. It was as though the tragedy had struck every home and was close to every family and community.
During family gatherings and evening conversations, which are usually opportunities to talk and share the day’s events, the attack remained at the centre of people’s thoughts and discussions, weighing heavily on the atmosphere with grief and anxiety. The day felt different in every detail and in its overall mood, leaving a deep impression on Jordanians confronted with a painful event whose impact would not quickly fade.
Painful moments that brought Jordanians together
Yet the response went beyond grief. Reactions revealed the depth of solidarity that stirred Jordanians’ emotions and the spirit of mutual support that drove many to reject the idea of any Jordanian being harmed or the suffering of one region’s residents being treated as a concern belonging to them alone.
In a society where families, towns and villages are interconnected, people do not necessarily need to know the details of one another’s lives to feel close. Often, knowing a family name or someone’s hometown, or exchanging a passing greeting, is enough to begin an acquaintance that may develop into friendship, kinship or a longstanding relationship.
This response also extended to social media accounts belonging to people outside Jordan, who shared photographs and videos expressing solidarity and recalling how Jordanians have long stood by one another in times of pain.
This is an image long associated with Jordan in the accounts of its visitors, many of whom are struck by the sense of familiarity they encounter in its streets and gatherings, where people often seem to know one another, united by simplicity, generosity and a readiness to help.
Preserving this image, with its spirit of love, solidarity, authenticity and collective responsibility, is particularly important during difficult moments that test people’s emotions and reveal what brings them together.
These painful episodes are not the first in Jordan’s history. From the 2005 Amman hotel bombings, through the events in Irbid and Karak in 2016, to the Salt bombing in 2018, Jordanians have endured difficult moments that left a deep mark on the national consciousness and repeatedly underscored the importance of solidarity and standing united against violence and attempts to undermine the country’s security and stability.
Firm foundations of Jordanian society
Following the latest attack on a church in Hamoud, Karak, which, according to information cited in the report, left nine people dead and dozens injured, national solidarity was renewed and the image of Jordanians as one united body was reaffirmed. The injured were taken to King Hussein Medical City and other hospitals for treatment, while Jordanians went to hospitals to donate blood and support those affected. The scenes reinforced the message that when one part of society suffers, the entire community responds, and that Jordanians’ strength lies in their unity, solidarity and ability to overcome adversity.
Sociologist Dr Mohammad Jreibeeh believes the widespread solidarity expressed by Jordanians, despite the bitterness of the situation and the severity of the attack on a church in Hamoud, has added a new chapter to Jordan’s national narrative. It has reaffirmed that national identity, culture, history and civilisation are firmly rooted foundations of Jordanian society.
Jreibeeh says the widespread solidarity and unified Jordanian response in condemning the attack cannot be viewed as a passing reaction. Rather, they reflect the depth of the relationships linking Jordanians and the value of coexistence that has distinguished Jordanian society throughout its history.
He adds that this response demonstrates an unequivocal rejection of attempts to turn differences into social divisions. What happened in the area represents an exceptional incident that does not reflect the nature or history of Jordanian society, which has been built on harmony and connection. Any attack on a Jordanian citizen is a national tragedy affecting the entire community. This reaffirms that citizenship, Jordanian identity and national belonging take precedence over religious differences, and that national unity encompasses all components of society.
Building common ground to strengthen social cohesion
According to Jreibeeh, all components of Jordanian society have contributed to shaping the country’s identity, which has developed through diversity and social interaction. It is an inclusive national identity characterised by stability, flexibility and the ability to respond to circumstances and challenges while building common ground that strengthens social cohesion. Citizenship and national belonging are unifying factors that transcend differences.
Jreibeeh notes that Jordanian society has a distinctive social character, with people connected through mutual familiarity spanning families, geographical regions and personal relationships. These ties are a source of strength and cohesion that should be built upon and reinforced. Wherever they live, Jordanians are linked by close historical and social relationships that constitute an important national asset in confronting attempts to divide and incite them against one another.
This highlights the importance of national, media, religious, political and social discourse identifying and strengthening the sources of resilience within the Jordanian state and society. The aim should be to establish a unified national narrative centred on belonging and loyalty to Jordan, bringing all segments of society together under the umbrella of citizenship and an inclusive national identity.
Protecting the social fabric, Jreibeeh adds, requires more than condemning attacks. It also calls for a review of educational policies in schools and other educational institutions, greater emphasis on national belonging and Jordanian identity, and the reinforcement of citizenship as the standard that unites Jordanians and safeguards their rights and dignity without discrimination.
Empathy and a shared sense of others’ suffering
There is also a need to develop religious discourse so that it goes beyond guidance and sermons to have a tangible influence on people’s values, behaviour, ethics and culture. Genuine religious principles must be connected to society’s needs and challenges and contribute to addressing its concerns. Jreibeeh also stressed the importance of responsible national media discourse that places Jordan’s interests and unity at the forefront, helping preserve social cohesion.
The difficult days Jordanians have experienced also carry psychological and behavioural implications, says senior psychiatrist Dr Walid Sarhan. He explains that people do not need to know victims personally to feel pain over what happened to them. Empathy stems from the ability to imagine another person’s suffering and feel a sense of closeness to them.
Sarhan says that when a painful incident occurs within a community, people feel that the tragedy affects their wider human and national family. They may imagine themselves or their loved ones in the victims’ place. The wave of grief and prayers can therefore be understood as an expression of shared humanity and a sense that the suffering of some Jordanians is a concern for all Jordanians.
He notes that social media platforms provide ample space for people to express these feelings. Seeing others share their grief can help individuals feel less alone in their pain and anxiety. Prayers and condolences also give people a way to express support when they are unable to provide direct assistance.
However, Sarhan cautions against assuming that everyone experiences grief in the same way. Some people express their feelings publicly, while others grieve in silence; posting less does not mean caring less. Collective empathy strengthens belonging and social cohesion by reaffirming that every person’s life and dignity matter to the community.
Trust in institutions during difficult times
Collective solidarity also signals that those affected will not be left alone. It can help restore a sense of social security, which depends not only on the absence of danger but also on trust that people and institutions will stand by individuals in times of hardship.
“Solidarity among members of society, regardless of their affiliations, confirms that human and national bonds are broader than attempts to spread fear and division. It strengthens the sense that society can support its members through crises,” Sarhan says.
He warns, however, that the impact of social media depends on the nature of the content being shared. Condolences and reliable information may ease anxiety, while repeatedly circulating distressing footage, rumours and hate speech can intensify fear and cause further pain to the families of victims and those injured.
Respecting privacy, verifying news, and avoiding sweeping generalisations and accusations are therefore all forms of responsibility and empathy, particularly when people’s emotions are especially sensitive. Solidarity reaches its full value when it is translated into tangible acts of humanity.
Sarhan stresses the importance of continuing to support those affected after media attention fades, as bereavement and injuries can create needs that persist for a long time. Empathy can thus become a force that helps society confront pain, preserve the dignity of those affected and strengthen confidence in people’s ability to care for one another.
Education and confronting extremist ideology
Educational expert and trainer Dr Ayesh Al-Nawaiseh believes that the educational environment plays a major role in providing children with the conditions they need to develop healthily, away from all forms of violence and abuse. He stresses the need to foster a culture of tolerance and acceptance of diversity and others, while raising children according to the principles of moderation and balance emphasised by Islam.
The school’s influence, Al-Nawaiseh explains, depends largely on teachers, their personalities and cultural backgrounds, their interaction with students, and their ability to influence them. Teachers should avoid fanaticism towards any opinion, ideology or belief and instead rely on convincing arguments and evidence. This helps instil positive and sound thinking in students and teaches them intellectual tolerance and respect for differing opinions.
Although the curriculum is important in shaping children, its influence is closely tied to the school environment and teachers’ performance. Education can sometimes be reduced to memorising and repeating information without genuine understanding, personal acceptance or practical application of the values being taught. Schools are particularly important in this regard because children spend a substantial amount of time there and are influenced by what happens both inside and outside the classroom.
Al-Nawaiseh emphasises that education is an integrated process built on four essential components: the student, the curriculum, the teacher and the school environment. Improving education or discussing the role schools should play in confronting extremist ideology cannot be achieved without developing these elements and strengthening the way they work together.
Developing future solutions to current challenges
Students cannot learn and benefit from education as intended unless they are in an environment that encourages creativity and stimulates thought. They need opportunities to develop critical and creative thinking rather than conform to ready-made ideas. This helps prepare a generation that believes in the right to hold differing opinions and respects pluralism, tolerance and acceptance of differences.
Teachers who avoid fanaticism towards particular opinions, ideologies or beliefs and instead rely on dialogue and convincing arguments can also have a positive influence on students, strengthening their respect for different perspectives.
Regarding school curricula, Al-Nawaiseh says they should reflect principles and values that promote moderation and tolerance. These should include highlighting the Islamic tradition of respectful disagreement, freedom of opinion, respect for others’ views, and the principle of responding to ideas with ideas and dialogue rather than stubbornness and fanaticism.
Curricula should also address the realities and complexities facing society and help develop future solutions to its challenges, offering alternatives to extremist ideas. This includes introducing awareness programmes in schools that help students understand their religion and current developments, and discussing events through open meetings between students and teachers. Such initiatives can promote a sound understanding of Islam and its values in dealing with others.
It is also important to incorporate into school curricula concepts relating to relations with followers of other religions, clarify the proper understanding of jihad and its different forms, and address relations with others through updated content and clear presentation that reflects students’ needs and the challenges of contemporary life.
Protecting social cohesion is a shared responsibility
Al-Nawaiseh warns that failing to understand and address students’ needs may contribute to them dropping out of the education system, increasing the possibility that they will engage in harmful behaviour or be drawn towards extremist groups and ideologies. This underscores the importance of providing a safe and supportive school environment that gives students a sense of belonging and acceptance while strengthening their critical-thinking skills and ability to distinguish moderate ideas from destructive ones.
In the same context, family sociology consultant and head of the Al-Afaf Charitable Association, Mufid Sarhan, stresses that social strength is one of the most important factors in confronting adversaries and thwarting their plans. Maintaining social cohesion is essential under all circumstances, he says, warning that undermining the social fabric is one of the greatest dangers a community can face.
Sarhan says protecting social cohesion is a shared responsibility involving individuals, officials and institutions. Attempts to undermine it threaten both society and the state and may serve the interests of the nation’s and wider Arab world’s adversaries. He stresses the need to recognise these realities and never disregard them, regardless of motives or justifications. All Jordanians form one social fabric that must be preserved as strong and cohesive, rather than distorted or weakened.
He adds that the attack on the church was a heinous crime that all Jordanians reject. This painful incident should strengthen their unity and resolve because everyone has a stake in protecting the country and its society, particularly when there are those who are troubled by social harmony, stability and national unity.
A sense of duty and responsibility towards the homeland
Sarhan warns that responsibility becomes even greater in such circumstances, requiring people to think carefully before issuing slogans or statements, writing articles or posting on social media, so that their words and actions do not inadvertently contribute to stirring discord and creating problems.
Despite the brutality of the crime, Sarhan says families must continue to play their role in reinforcing essential values among their children, particularly love of country and pride in belonging to it. These values are deeply rooted in people’s hearts and minds but require care, attention and guidance to remain firmly established through different stages of life and changing circumstances.
He stresses that sound upbringing, strong families and a reinforced sense of family belonging all help establish a broader sense of belonging to society, the homeland and the nation. Deepening this sense of belonging and instilling love of country is a collective responsibility shared by families, schools, universities, the media, society, and official and civil institutions. It is an ongoing process that should not be tied to a single event or circumstance.
Mufid Sarhan also stresses the importance of explaining the dangers and consequences of criminal acts, not only for victims or the city where an incident occurs but for society as a whole. This helps children understand that protecting the country’s security and stability is a shared responsibility and that harming any component of society affects everyone.
He notes that the family is the basic building block of society and plays a major role in instilling a sense of belonging in children from an early age.
Strengthening their sense of citizenship, he says, is one of the most important factors in ensuring the country’s security, stability and development.
According to Sarhan, a sense of belonging begins with the family. Individuals must value family cohesion, preserve it and strengthen the family’s role in society. The stronger the sense of family belonging and the more cohesive the family, the greater an individual’s understanding of the importance and value of belonging in their life and relationships with others.
“Love of country is not merely slogans or words spoken on special occasions. It is a form of behaviour reflected in a person’s attitudes and actions in all circumstances, in hardship as well as prosperity,” Sarhan says. Genuine belonging is not driven by material interests or personal gain, but by a sense of duty and responsibility towards the homeland and the nation, and a commitment to the security, stability and cohesion of society.
Reporting: Taghreed Al-Saaydeh
