The Amman Message conveys and reasserts the noble Islamic values of tolerance, moderation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence within faiths.
As-Salām (Peace) is one of God’s names, and the word Islam is derived from the Arabic word for peace. Therefore, Islam has made peace its greeting and slogan. The greeting of Islam, As-Salām Alaykum wa Rahmat Allah, translates to “Peace and mercy of God be upon you.” This greeting means: “You are in safety and peace; you will not see from me anything that harms you.” A Muslim, as defined by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him), “is the one from whose tongue and hands the people are safe.”
Islam is an extension of previous heavenly messages; all the prophets are honored and respected, and there is no difference between Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohammad: “We make no distinction between any of His messengers,” according to Quran Surat Al-Baqarah 2/285. The message of Islam confirmed what former prophets said, and thus some Muslim mosques have the names of other prophets.
One of the largest mosques in the Jordanian city of Madaba is named the Mosque of Jesus (peace be upon him), and there is a verse, or Surat, in the Quran, Number 19, named after Jesus’ mother, Maryam (Aramaic for Mary).
God Almighty indicates that the purpose of Islam is achieving mercy on Earth, so God addresses the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), saying, “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds” (Quran Surat Al-’Anbyā’ 21/107). All that is contrary to mercy and justice does not belong to the message of Islam.
Islam also recognizes that non-Muslims are an essential component of human society, and that diversity and difference represent God’s norm in the universe. God Almighty says: “And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community, but they will not cease to differ. Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them” (Quran Surat Hūd 11/118-119). God tells us that all human beings are honored regardless of their religion: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam” (Quran Surat Al-’Isrā’ 17/70).
Islam builds a relationship with non-Muslims on the issues of righteousness, charity and rules of justice. There is no fight needed unless there is aggressive provocation, as a commitment to the words of God: “Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes — from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly” (Quran Surat Al-Mumtaĥanah 60/8).
And God says: “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors” (Quran Surat Al-Baqarah 2/190].
Muslims are enjoined to deal with others and get to know them in order to achieve the purpose of His existence, which is the construction of Earth and advancing human civilization in the best interest of people. God Almighty says: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted” (Quran Surat Al-Ĥujurāt 49/13).
The great rule in our religion is: “There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion” (Quran Surat Al-Baqarah 2/246) and “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion” (Quran Surat Al-Kāfirūn 6/109).
Amman Message and Real Islamic Values
Jordan enjoys a Hashemite leadership affiliated with the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah honor him and grant him peace.) The kingdom adopts pure Islamic thought, which represents the essence of Islam. From this objective, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein launched the Amman Message, which outlines the truth of Islam as stated by Prophet Muhammad (may Allah honor him and grant him peace).
The Amman Message started as a landmark detailed statement released November 9, 2004, by King Abdullah. The message sought to define what Islam is and what it is not, and what actions represent it and what actions do not. Its goal was to clarify to the modern world the true nature of Islam. The Amman Message conveys and reasserts the noble Islamic values of tolerance, moderation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence within faiths. The content of the Amman Message is also a refutation of ideologies that advocate violence and sedition in the name of religion. It is a robust answer to those who have depicted Islam as a violent and hateful faith, stirring Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiment.
Jordan also takes a moderate and tolerant approach and works in all capacities to maintain the safety and security under the leadership of King Abdullah, who recognizes and emphasizes the importance of a strategic holistic approach in addressing terrorist organizations that share the same extremism and Takfirist ideology regardless of their names. The king urged countries and leaders to step forward and clearly reject extremists and their ideology as non-Islamic. “[T]his is a Muslim problem. We need to take ownership of this. We need to stand up and say what is right and what is wrong.”
King Abdullah described the war against terrorism as a long, multiphase one that entails many factors, including a counterideology in its final stage, because terrorism is only a defiant behavior resulting from extremist ideology. The king said: “I hope the short-term part of it is going to be the military. The medium term is a security aspect of it. But the long term is going to be the ideological aspect, and this is the aspect I stressed on.”
The role of Military Ifta’a Directorate
The duty of Military Ifta’a Directorate is based on explaining the true nature of Islam, protecting the Jordan Armed Forces personnel from extremist ideologies, and encouraging them to practice good morals according to the Quran and the Sunnah, as explained by the Amman Message.
The Ifta’a Directorate works in collaboration with other religious institutions, such as the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and the General Fatwa Department of the kingdom, to promote coexistence and tolerant values and fight extremist ideology that fuels violence and justifies terrorism. To achieve this, we have cooperated with the Ministry of Awqaf and held lectures and seminars (local and international) to explain the content of the Amman Message and to promote the values of moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. These represent the essence of Islam and the foundation of the faith.
We emphasize that terrorism does not respect religion, race or sex. We also believe that humans from different ideologies are suffering from the terrorism disease, so that the whole world should stand against terrorism and violence in all its forms and manifestations. We should unify efforts to meet the challenges of terrorism, wherever they exist.
The mission of Jordan in spreading moderate ideology that is based on tolerance and coexistence was not easy, as its Armed Forces have made, and are making, sacrifices for the sake of religion and their homeland to spread the message of religious tolerance and moderation. Jordanian Soldiers have made heavy sacrifices in protecting peace and freedom worldwide through peacekeeping missions. In this regard, Dr. Hayel Abdulhafez Dawud, Jordanian minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, said that “the participation of Jordan Armed Forces in international peacekeeping forces aims to contribute to the dissemination of justice and rescue oppressed people.” He added: “Jordan made major contributions in all fields and spread love, peace and positive spirit across different countries around the globe.”
As an example, our Jordan Armed Forces have worked in Afghanistan through special units focused on religious, cultural and moral support. These units provided medical and humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, contributed to the reconstruction of mosques and schools, distributed copies of the Quran and books that explain the truth of Islam, and offered all possible support toward achieving lasting security, peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Jordanian military imams have worked to spread the true Islamic thought by explaining the contents of the Amman Message using different methods: direct meetings with scholars and influential members of Shura councils, workshops with Afghan imams, religious radio programs that were broadcast from the Jordanian Duty Force Headquarters, and distributing brochures in the Pashtun language. Additionally, imams met prisoners and detainees to understand the reasons that motivated them to adopt such extremist ideology, and then guided them to correct Islamic thought.
Conclusion
In this battle for hearts and minds, addressing the threat of terrorism from an ideological standpoint is key to sustained success. The best method to counter extremist ideology is focusing on the values of justice, moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, which are exhorted by Islam. Fighting extremists militarily without fighting their extremist ideology may increase their adherence to erroneous beliefs. Therefore, countering terror propaganda and defeating terrorists from an ideological standpoint is an integral part of our decisive fight against terrorism. The Jordan Armed Forces will continue to confront terrorism by sharing experiences with friendly countries and will benefit from these experiences to ensure victory in this battle.
Jordanians Observe Chaplain Training
UNIPATH STAFF
A weeklong visit to the United States by Maj. Gen. Dr. Yahaya Al-Batoush, mufti of the Jordan Armed Forces, provided an opportunity for the Jordanians to spread the message of moderate Islam. During engagements with the U.S. Army Central Command Chaplain’s Office at Shaw Air Force Base in November and December 2014, Maj. Gen. Al-Batoush articulated the Amman Message, His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein’s endorsement of a tolerant religious outlook that rejects terrorism.
But the exchange of information worked both ways. The visit allowed Maj. Gen. Al-Batoush and his staff to visit the U.S. Army Chaplain Officer Leadership Course’s Capstone exercise, where they observed training of entry level chaplains at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School. The exercise occurred at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and focused on the role of chaplains as religious advisors to military commanders and as comfort providers on battlefields.
The mufti and his staff witnessed how chaplains minister to wounded Soldiers based on severity of injuries and life expectancy.
The Jordanian officers in attendance easily gravitated toward this role of chaplain or imam on the battlefield. For example, Jordanian Staff Col. Majid demonstrated how to minister to a dying Muslim Soldier on a stretcher by offering appropriate prayers. The Jordanian observers noted how important such training would be for military imams back home.
The U.S. Army Central Command Chaplain’s Office’s engagement with the Jordan Armed Forces contributed significantly to shared understanding of the importance of religious personnel in countering extremism. Maj. Gen. Al-Batoush quoted from the Koran and the Hadith to emphasize the values and core beliefs of Islam, establishing a base of understanding with his American counterparts. In this and other endeavors, U.S. Central Command values relationships with regional partners.
Source: U.S. Army Central Command Chaplain’s Office