Jordan to Hold Funeral for Nine Christians Slain in Church Terror Attack

A funeral service for nine Christians who were killed by gunmen in Jordan is scheduled to take place on Sunday at the same St George's Greek Orthodox church where the deadly attack occurred. The assailants opened fire within the church's compound in the village of Hamoud, located in the Karak governorate, on Friday, according to Jordan's Public Security Directorate. King Abdullah II of Jordan has denounced the incident as a "terrorist attack." Karak, situated approximately 100 kilometers south of Amman, is known for its Christian minority population within the predominantly Muslim kingdom. The attack tragically occurred during a funeral service. Authorities revised the death toll on Saturday from seven to nine victims, and it was reported that none of the three assailants had been apprehended. Security officials provided the King with an update on the investigation into the attack, as stated by the Royal Palace, without divulging specific details. King Abdullah referred to the perpetrators as "outlaws of Islam" and directed the government to "review policies for countering extremist ideology and to intensify efforts to eradicate its root causes." In an unprecedented security measure, security forces were deployed to churches across the country on Sunday to ensure safety during services, marking a significant tightening of security at Christian sites. Such violent incidents are exceedingly rare in Jordan, a country generally known for its stability. The kingdom is home to several significant biblical sites that draw Christian pilgrims globally.