Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center

Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center
Name	Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center
Native name	مركز دراسات التعايش بين الأديان الأردني
Founded	2003
Headquarters	Amman, Jordan
Fields	Interfaith dialogue; religious studies; peacebuilding

Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Center is a nonprofit research and outreach institution based in Amman that works on interreligious dialogue, conflict resolution, and community engagement across the Levant. Founded in 2003, it operates within networks that include NGOs, academic institutions, and religious communities to promote coexistence among Muslims, Christians, and other religious groups. The center engages with regional and international partners to produce research, training, and public programming aimed at reducing sectarian tensions and fostering pluralism.

History

The organization was established in 2003 amid post-2001 regional debates involving King Abdullah II of Jordan, Pope John Paul II–era interfaith initiatives, and United Nations discussions such as the UN Alliance of Civilizations. Early supporters included scholars from University of Jordan, religious leaders associated with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and representatives of Amman's Christian patriarchates, Orthodox communities, and Islamic institutions like the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. The center developed programming in response to events such as the Iraq War (2003–2011), the Arab Spring, and local incidents that affected Muslim–Christian relations in the Middle East. Over time it expanded collaborations with entities such as the United Nations Development Programme, United States Agency for International Development, and regional universities including Hebrew University of Jerusalem and American University of Beirut.

Mission and Objectives

The center's stated mission aligns with frameworks advanced by thinkers and institutions like John Paul II, Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and interreligious organizations such as the Parliament of the World's Religions and Religions for Peace. Objectives include promoting dialogue among adherents of Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Eastern Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Lutheranism, and other communities; producing research comparable to outputs from the Center for Strategic Studies and academic units like Harvard Divinity School; and training mediators in methods used by practitioners associated with the Community of Sant'Egidio and the International Crisis Group. The center emphasizes practical coexistence measures that echo principles from the Amman Message and regional agreements endorsed by leaders including King Hussein of Jordan.

Programs and Activities

Programs include interfaith workshops modeled on curricula from Georgetown University, youth leadership training inspired by initiatives at United World Colleges, and teacher training comparable to projects run by UNICEF and Save the Children. The center organizes conferences featuring scholars from Al-Azhar University, the Pontifical Gregorian University, and the University of Oxford, and convenes panels with representatives from Jordanian Parliament, Jordanian Christian Council, and refugee-focused groups such as UNHCR. Publications range from policy briefs to qualitative studies in the style of papers produced by Chatham House, Brookings Institution, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Field activities have addressed issues tied to events like the Syrian Civil War and humanitarian responses coordinated with International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement affiliates.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The center partners with international organizations including UNESCO, UNDP, European Union, and bilateral donors such as the British Council and U.S. Department of State. Academic partnerships have linked the center to Ain Shams University, University of Cambridge, King's College London, and Columbia University, while civil society collaborations include Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies, Jordan River Foundation, and local dioceses like the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Religious partnerships draw upon networks from the World Council of Churches and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's civil society actors. Joint projects have been undertaken with humanitarian actors like Doctors Without Borders and advocacy groups such as Human Rights Watch.

Organizational Structure

The center is governed by a board of trustees that includes academics, clergy, and former diplomats similar to figures from Foreign Ministry (Jordan), and operates under an executive director with programmatic leads for research, education, and outreach. Staff profiles have overlapped with alumni of institutions like Princeton University, Yale University, and regional seminaries affiliated with the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. Advisory committees draw expertise from scholars associated with Brandeis University, Hebrew Union College, and policy analysts from think tanks such as Atlantic Council.

Funding and Support

Funding sources have included grants from multilateral agencies such as European Commission programs, foundations like the Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York, and bilateral assistance from governments including Japan and Norway. The center has received project-based support from diplomatic missions including the British Embassy Amman and the Embassy of the United States, Amman. Philanthropic backing has also come from charitable networks connected to faith-based donors and regional philanthropists tied to institutions like the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development.

Impact and Reception

The center's work has been cited in reports by UNICEF, UNHCR, and scholarship published in journals where authors are affiliated with Georgetown University, SOAS University of London, and American University. Evaluations by international donors have noted effectiveness in producing interfaith curricula and reducing localized tensions in communities across Irbid, Zarqa, and Aqaba. Critics from parts of the media and political commentary—some appearing in outlets linked to Al Jazeera, The Jordan Times, and The Washington Post—have questioned the scalability of projects amid regional instability. Overall, the center is regarded within networks of NGOs and faith institutions—such as the Arab Reform Initiative and the Alliance for Middle East Peace—as a persistent actor in Jordanian and Levantine interfaith engagement.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Jordan Category:Interfaith organizations