Jordanian author presents Pope Francis with copy of her interfaith book

Lifestyle

Published: 2018-05-31 16:28

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 11:02


Samain presents a copy of her book to Pope Francis. (Mena FM)
Samain presents a copy of her book to Pope Francis. (Mena FM)

Jordanian author and The Jordan Times reporter Rula Samain proudly shared a copy of her book, “Fortress of Peace: Jordan’s Interfaith Drive and Model of Coexistence,” with Pope Francis, during a visit to the Vatican on Wednesday.

“It was a great honour for me that His Holiness accepted the present. In fact, the Pope himself and some senior Vatican officials are aware of the efforts His Majesty King Abdullah is applying in the field of interfaith harmony, and some were even involved in these efforts and aware of the book as well,” Samain said.

Samain’s visit was arranged by the Vatican Embassy in Amman and Monsignor Khaled Akasheh, Head of the Office for Relations with Islam at the Pontifical Council for Inter-Religious Dialogue.

Published last year, Samain’s book defends the true image of Islam, while documenting Jordan’s efforts in promoting interreligious harmony internally and at international level.

The publication further focuses on the kingdom as “an exemplary model of peace, interfaith harmony, tolerance and dialogue,” according to Samain.

Divided into five main sections, “Fortress of Peace” also discusses the Jordanian royal family’s philosophy of religious coexistence since the Great Arab Revolt.

In her book, the author also includes interviews with Arab and non-Arab figures who were involved in interfaith activities organized by Jordan, as well as firsthand accounts by the local community on the heritage of Muslim-Christian coexistence.

Samain’s final chapter touches on the “outstanding issues” in need of addressing regarding the Christian community in Jordan, from a legal perspective.

The book was published in English and is currently being translated into Arabic.