Journalists condemn pilot’s murder, call for safeguarding unity

AMMAN — Local journalists on Wednesday condemned the killing of air force pilot Muath Kasasbeh while stressing the media’s crucial role in preserving the unity of the country. 

During a sit-in at the Jordan Press Association headquarters, JPA President Tareq Momani condemned the criminal terrorist act by the so-called Islamic State (IS), which burnt the captured pilot alive. 

“This terrorist organisation hates life and loves death. They are a bunch of gangsters who have nothing to do with Islam,” Momani said in the presence of dozens of journalists who carried pictures of the pilot and banners denouncing IS. 

Voicing solidarity with the pilot’s family, participants said he died defending Islam and Muslims.

They added that Jordanians should be united at this stage and prevent any attempt to sow seeds of sedition, highlighting the need for media outlets to focus on boosting unity. 

Media outlets, they said, should publish accurate information to protect the internal front. 

They also voiced solidarity with Japan and the families of the Japanese hostages who were killed by IS.

“What IS did and their brutality shows that Jordan is right in fighting them as we are not immune to their crimes,” Momani said. 

“The crime made us stronger and we are saying in a louder voice: no to terrorism,” he added. 

Journalists at the sit-in also said Jordan should continue its war on terrorism and increase strikes against such groups. 

Samar Haddadeen, a JPA member, called for unity and voiced solidarity with the pilot’s family, describing his murder as a heinous crime.