Princess Basma, US bishop discuss regional developments

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma on Tuesday met with the Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US, who is currently on a visit to the Kingdom as part of a regional tour.  

Discussions at the meeting covered the situation in the Middle East and the need to bring about peace and stability for the people of the region.

Talks also focused on women’s challenges and achievements, in addition to initiatives implemented in Jordan to empower women. 

The princess highlighted the importance of Schori’s visit and commended the quality of services provided by the Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre for Disabled Children, which is affiliated with the Episcopal Church in the holy city. 

The first woman to assume this post, Schori is the 26th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church and serves as chief pastor and primate to the Episcopal Church’s members in 16 countries and 110 dioceses. 

During the meeting, Bishop Suheil Dawani, from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, referred to the attacks against holy sites in Jerusalem, particularly the Islamic ones, stressing the need for the Hashemites to continue playing their role as custodians of the holy sites in the city.     

Meanwhile, Farah Daghistani, executive director of the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, highlighted the fund’s programmes that aim to develop local communities.