Lining up behind the Jordanian army

Today the war against the so-called Islamic State forces takes a more personal note for the Jordanian people.

One of theirs was captured Wednesday by the terrorist group now controlling large swathes of Syria and Iraq.

Royal Jordanian Air Force pilot Muath Kasasbeh was taken hostage by the group after his warplane went down in northeastern Syria, according to a statement by the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army.

Jordan joined the war against IS weeks earlier along with other countries from around the world, uniting to fight the terrorist group that is threatening not only the Iraqis and Syrians, but also countries of the region and beyond.

The war carries great significance for Jordan, which shares borders with these two Arab countries, as it is threatened by the expansionist ambitions of the group.

The Kingdom is already suffering because of the atrocities committed by IS in Syria and Iraq, as it is receiving large numbers of refugees escaping the horrors perpetrated by the group.

Jordan supports the Iraqi and Syrian tribes suffering from massacres committed by the group.

The war is joined by other Arab and Muslim countries that view IS’ acts as war against Islam, the tolerant faith that promotes peace, harmony, peaceful coexistence and all positive values.

The captured pilot, Muath, is himself a devout Muslim who was certainly not happy with IS practices and its misrepresentation of Islam, like many other Jordanians.

All Jordanians are now lining up behind their army, praying for the safety of the captured pilot who was fighting as much to protect Jordan as to protect the people of Syria and Iraq from IS’ atrocities, and his faith from the distortions by misguided individuals who claim to represent this faith.