Jordan

At the end of World War I the League of Nations placed the territory that is now Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem under the control of the United Kingdom. In 1921 the British divided the territory, establishing the Emirate of Transjordan, ruled by Prince Abdullah, and Palestine, governed by a British high commissioner. Jordan became independent from Britain in 1946 and in 1950 was renamed the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan following the annexation of the West Bank.

Jordan has played a pivotal role in the struggle for power in the Middle East because of its location at the crossroads of what Christians, Jews and Muslims call the Holy Land.

Islam is the official religion of Jordan, but there is a small Christian minority, including active Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Baptist churches. With the exception of the latter, these churches are members of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which has a liaison office in Amman. Following the 1991 war in Iraq many Iraqi refugees came to Jordan, where the churches, through the MECC, offer a ministry of compassion.

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 325

November 18

Overview of the Middle East

Resources

Presbyterian Mission and Witness in the Middle East
Churches can still celebrate a "Week of Witness with Christians of the Middle East."

Related Stories

March 5, 2008 [ENI] Jordanian prince condemns kidnapping of Chaldean bishop in Iraq
November 6, 2007 Jordanian church leaders say international community must do more to alleviate Iraq War-bred problems
May 22, 2007 NCC women’s delegation hears from Iraqi, Palestinian refugees
May 9–22, 2007 Reflections on the NCC trip
May 16, 2007 NCC women’s delegation finds ‘palpable’ uncertainty in Mideast
May 8, 2007 NCC women’s Mideast delegation focus is women and children
July 1, 2006 Minute for Mission: Country Update: Jordan

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