Chancellor Angela Merkel has presented the “Lamp of Peace” to Jordanian King Abdullah II for his human rights efforts. Merkel received the Catholic prize last year for promoting “peaceful coexistence among peoples.” Jordanian King Abdullah II received the “Lamp of Peace of Saint Francis” at a ceremony in the Italian city of Assisi on Friday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as last year’s recipient, presented the monarch with the award. Abdullah has been given the Catholic award for promoting human rights, interfaith dialogue and Middle East peace, and for taking in Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict in their country. Promoting interfaith harmony In her presentation speech, Merkel praised Abdullah for sending “an important signal in 2007 when he supported the letter sent by dozens of Islamic scholars to Christian leaders.” She also mentioned Abdullah’s 2010 call for a UN “World Interfaith Harmony Week” that is now celebrated annually across the world in February. In addition, the chancellor praised Jordan for not “closing ...
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