Jordan honors the graduating class of the Prince Hassan College for Islamic Studies
PHOTOS by MUKHALAD AL-KHAWLDA, PRINCE HASSAN COLLEGE
As a resolute step to defeat terrorists, the Prince Hassan College for Islamic Studies in Jordan stands tall against an extremist ideology that manipulates religion to deceive young Muslims.
This academic institution prepares proud men to serve as Jordan Armed Forces imams equipped with a true Islamic doctrine that rejects violence and promotes tolerance and peaceful coexistence. These military imams have the knowledge to expose the lies that terrorists spread to justify their crimes. It is essential to defeat terrorist ideology while defeating them militarily.
In May 2016, the college celebrated the graduation of the latest class of young military imams, part of the 6th Battalion, the Battalion of Imam Malik ibn Anas. The guests of honor at the ceremony were then-staff Lt. Gen. Mohammad Hamid Al-Qaralah, director of human resources for the Jordan Armed Forces; then-Maj. Gen. Yahya al-Batoush, Ph.D., the mufti of the Armed Forces; Brig. Gen. Mohammad Al-Daaja, Ph.D., dean of the college; and Brig. Gen. Majid Salim Al-Drawsha, Ph.D., director of Academic Studies at the college. Additional guests included the director of officer affairs, the director of moral guidance in the Jordan Armed Forces, and many officers and staff.
The graduates stood proudly in their uniforms — navy blue with red stripes and golden buttons — to salute the flag and honor the playing of the Jordanian national anthem. Their expressions revealed their innermost bliss and determination to carry out the noble cause of promoting a true Islamic spirit derived from the Quran and the Prophet’s legacy.
By emphasizing His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein’s Amman Message, the Jordanian government has empowered imams to promote tolerance and compassion among people and to expose the hypocrisy of a terrorist ideology that depends on selecting fragments from the Quran and using the traditions and sayings of the Prophet to justify ugly crimes and recruit young Muslims who lack a proper religious education.
These imams played a critical role in Afghanistan, where they met local citizens and built bridges with communities. They also were embedded in Bosnia during the peacekeeping mission to that country. The ability of the imams to reach into conflict zones has helped the anti-terror coalition win the hearts and minds of populations and expose the lies of terrorists.
The college plays a significant role in preparing and training imams. Since 2011, this academic institution has graduated five battalions of expert and qualified clerics. These high-caliber imams provide advice and guidance to Soldiers and their families and serve the larger society by preaching Friday sermons. In addition to training new imams, the college offers continued education programs for existing imams in the armed forces, security sector, riot police and Ministry of Religious Affairs. So respected is the college that it also trains imams from other countries in the Middle East.
The ceremony concluded with a speech by Brig. Gen. Al-Drawsha offering congratulations and advice to the graduates:
“I offer my sincere blessings and congratulations and best wishes to you and your families for your great achievement. I want you to continue your journey as you pledge loyalty to Jordan while conducting your duties. You must honor your command, be obedient and promote the true Islamic values you learned from the Hashemite school — the message of peace, love and mercy — so we can preserve Jordan as an oasis of stability and prosperity. And let us sustain peace and serenity under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein, God Bless Him.”
Prince Hassan College’s ambition is to continue raising its academic levels so that it can offer master’s degree and Ph.D. programs and continue bringing in qualified individuals to strengthen the academic and administrative staff. It hopes to offer its unique approach to the regional and Islamic nations and to train those students to reject extremist ideologies by using the moderate and balanced approach according to Amman Message.
Source: http://sdfmaxvcus3844.maximumasp.com/jafweb/ShowContentPrint.aspx?ContentId=165