Jordanians united against extremism

His Majesty King Abdullah’s visit to the Sourthern Badia region on Wednesday comes as part of his continuous meetings with citizens in various parts of the country.

Such meetings give His Majesty the chance to sound citizens’ needs and concerns, as well as to reassure them on the situation at the domestic level and generally on regional developments.

Wednesday’s meeting gave the King the chance to highlight endeavours to improve the economic situation in the country, in general, and in South Badia, in particular, through launching development projects that will help fight poverty and unemployment.

In addition, the King outlined efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in light of the ongoing war against the so-called Islamic State group.

His Majesty was so right to emphasise that despite the fact that our borders are not threatened or targeted by IS fighters, Jordan should not give this extremist group the chance to feel comfortable or to expand its presence in the future.

That is why the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army are joining efforts with allies to help the Iraqi and Syrian tribes resist this extremist group.

“This is a historical duty and a source of pride for Jordanians. This [Arab Army] motto which gives Jordan a great positive role did not come by chance,” the King stressed.

The IS threat goes beyond the borders of Syria and Iraq, and all countries of the region should come together to counter it with all might and to challenge the extremist ideology it represents.

The King stressed that the war against extremism is the war of the Arabs and Muslims, not the West’s, and that extremist ideology has to be fought not only with armies, but also with intellect and education, at home, in school, in the street and everywhere.

His Majesty’s words were echoed by tribal representatives present at the meeting who were unanimous in condemning IS and its extremist ideology.

The same day, by coincidence, Her Majesty Queen Rania also tackled the issue of extremism and terrorism in an article she wrote in The Huffington Post, emphasising the fact that Islam is a victim of extremist ideology, as radicals and terrorists distort this faith of peace which has 1.6 billion followers all over the world who condemn the acts of few that kill innocent people in their name.

The fight against extremism and radicalism is a fight for Islam, the religion of peace, mercy, harmony, coexistence, love and human solidarity.

But this war, as the King said in Southern Badia, cannot be fought in isolation of other problems, particularly poverty and unemployment.

People should not be left to despair; they have to have faith in and hope for a better future for their country and the region.