Afro-Asian and Latin American Media Union Condemns Attack on a Church in Jordan

Cairo – Foresight

The Afro-Asian and Latin American Media Union has strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting a church in Karak Governorate, expressing its full solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the families of the victims and those affected by this crime. The attack violated the sanctity of worship and the security of citizens, while targeting the bonds of citizenship, mutual affection, and shared destiny that unite Jordanians.

In a statement issued today, the Union affirmed that the sight of an attack on people visiting a house of God confronts us with a crime that no conscience can accept, no belief can justify, and no slogan can legitimize.

Nizar Al-Khaled, President of the Union, said that the danger posed by such crimes extends beyond the attacks themselves to what their perpetrators seek to achieve in their aftermath. Terrorism seeks to foment discord by driving citizens to view one another through barriers of religion and affiliation.

He noted that thwarting the objectives of such terrorist acts requires not only pursuing those responsible and holding them accountable, but also maintaining mutual trust and rejecting every attempt to drag society into sectarian strife or collective punishment.

The Union reaffirmed its support for Jordan—its leadership, government, and people—and its backing for the efforts of Jordanian institutions to protect citizens and places of worship, uncover the circumstances surrounding the attack, and ensure that justice is served in accordance with the law.

The Union also expressed confidence in the ability of Jordanians to preserve their national unity, built through a long history of shared life and strengthened jointly by Muslims and Christians through their belonging to one homeland and their participation in building and defending it.

Al-Khaled said that, at this painful moment, the responsibility carried by words, images, and headlines becomes particularly significant. Media coverage of terrorist attacks influences public emotions and perceptions of what has happened, and can either help contain tensions or contribute to their escalation.

He added that the Union therefore calls on media organizations, journalists, and digital platform professionals to exercise accuracy, verify information before publication, refrain from circulating rumors or unsubstantiated accusations, and respect the privacy of victims and the dignity of their families.

The Union stressed that media coverage must not become a platform that amplifies the impact of the crime or grants its perpetrators the publicity and intimidation they seek. The pursuit of a journalistic scoop does not justify publishing inflammatory material or rebroadcasting terrorists’ rhetoric without a clear professional necessity and critical context. The public’s right to know also requires that facts be presented responsibly, without sensationalism or headlines that exploit suffering or imply that a religious or social community bears responsibility for the actions of criminals.

The Union emphasized that rejecting terrorism must go hand in hand with a clear stance against the rhetoric that paves the way for it, including accusations of apostasy, exclusion, the denial of others’ humanity, and the justification of attacks against them. Tolerance of such practices weakens society’s resilience and allows extremists to expand their influence, particularly among young people.

The statement considered that media, educational, cultural, and religious institutions share responsibility for confronting this danger by creating spaces for dialogue, promoting critical thinking, and reinforcing equality among citizens and respect for their differences.

The Union also called for stronger regional and international cooperation to pursue terrorist networks, cut off their sources of funding, and counter their recruitment efforts in the digital sphere, while safeguarding rights and upholding the rule of law.

The Afro-Asian and Latin American Media Union extended its heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the victims’ families, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, and the brotherly Jordanian people. It wished the injured a speedy recovery and affirmed that the suffering of bereaved families deserves sincere solidarity that preserves their dignity and stands by them.

The Union renewed its commitment to defending responsible journalism that upholds human life and the right to security, worship, and difference, and stands against advocates of hatred, regardless of their identity. It affirmed that the unity of Jordanians, their awareness of what this crime seeks to undermine, and their determination to live together will remain the foundation for protecting their homeland and thwarting attempts to destabilize its security and social fabric.