UNRWA condemns the terrible terrorist attack on the church in Hmoud. We mourn those killed and wish the injured a swift recovery. We stand with our host nation Jordan. Places of worship must be sanctuaries of peace and safety. Attacks on civilians and religious sites are indefensible. The international community must do everything to support peace, tolerance, and respect for the rights and faiths of all.

 Dr. Omar Suleiman

@omarsuleiman

Muslims and Christians in Jordan have shared neighborhoods, friendships, joys, and sorrows for generations. This horrific attack violates that shared history and the sanctity of innocent life. May Allah comfort the grieving and heal the wounded. 

 

No innocent civilian should ever feel unsafe in a mosque, church, synagogue, or any place of worship, anywhere. Period. 

 

But I can’t help but question how “ISIS” repeatedly emerges at the worst moments with its savagery to tear our societies apart and feed the worst narratives that get turned into perpetual cycles of crimes against humanity.   https://x.com/omarsuleiman/status/2113691837458464820

 

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UNRWA

 

@UNRWA

UNRWA condemns the terrible terrorist attack on the church in Hmoud. We mourn those killed and wish the injured a swift recovery. We stand with our host nation Jordan. 

 

Places of worship must be sanctuaries of peace and safety. Attacks on civilians and religious sites are indefensible. 

 

The international community must do everything to support peace, tolerance, and respect for the rights and faiths of all.  https://x.com/UNRWA/status/2113959186925076503

 

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Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem

 

@LPJerusalem

بيان استنكاري وتعزية صادر عن البطريركية اللاتينية الأورشليمية بشأن الاعتداء الإرهابي على الكنيسة في بلدة حمود – الكرك. 

 

Statement of Condemnation and Condolences issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem regarding the terrorist attack on the church in the town of Hamoud – Al-Karak  https://x.com/LPJerusalem/status/2113689194828644731

 

Statement of Condemnation and Condolences issued by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem,
regarding the terrorist attack on the church in the town of Hamoud – Al-Karak

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful ones." (Psalm 116:15)

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we received news this afternoon of the merciless terrorist attack targeting the Greek Orthodox Church in the town of Hammoud, Karak. This crime has resulted in fatalities and injuries, violating the sanctity of a place of worship and infringing upon the fundamental human right to life, security, and the freedom to worship with dignity. We condemn this cowardly terrorist act in the strongest possible terms. We extend our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, to the residents of Hammoud, and to all our brothers and sisters affected by this grave tragedy. We also offer our prayers to God for the swift recovery of the injured, for patience and solace to be granted to the families of the victims, and for Jordan and its people to be protected from all evil and harm.

In this context, we affirm our profound pride in the historical and national role played by the Hashemite family—led by His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein ibn Abdullah II—in consolidating the values ​​of moderation and tolerance, upholding human dignity, and safeguarding the freedom to practice religious rites.

We further emphasize that the national cohesion of the Jordanian people serves as a vital safeguard against terrorism, extremism, and any attempts to sow division or discord. Jordanians—both Muslims and Christians—form a single national family, united by a shared history and a common destiny, bound together by ties of affection, belonging, and loyalty to their land and their leadership. Moreover, we express our full support for the security services and all those tasked with pursuing the perpetrators who sought to undermine the social peace—a peace in which we have always taken great pride.

In concluding this statement, we offer our prayers to God Almighty, asking Him to enfold the martyrs in His boundless mercy, grant their families solace and patience, and bring healing to the wounded. We pray that He may protect His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein and his loyal Crown Prince, preserve the blessings of security and stability in Jordan, and safeguard its people from all harm. May this ordeal serve as an occasion to renew our commitment to national unity and coexistence—standing united as one against any who would seek to undermine the security of our homeland or compromise its unity.

May God protect Jordan—its leadership and its people—sustain the blessings of peace and harmony, and ensure that love and brotherhood remain stronger than terrorism and hatred.  https://www.lpj.org/en/news/statement-of-condemnation-and-condolences-regarding-the-terrorist

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☧ Milad ܝܠܕܐ

@PalCatholic

 

Translated from Arabic

Churches in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem ring their bells for the souls of the victims of the terrorist operation at Karak Church in Jordan 🇯🇴🇵🇸☦️✝️.

 

☧ Milad ܝܠܕܐ

@PalCatholic

 

Translated from Arabic

The King of Jordan, who went down to visit the injured and who took the terrorist incident with utmost seriousness and resolve, dealing with it swiftly without any sugarcoating of reality and refusing to let it pass as if it were nothing, deserves all respect and appreciation. In the hope that the rest of the rulers of Arab countries learn what it means to uphold the dignity of a citizen.

عبدالله بن الحسين

@KingAbdullahII

·

22h

Translated from Arabic

We will confront the terrorist act that targeted Karak with the harshest penalties. And whoever imagines that the bullets of treachery can divide the ranks of Jordanians will fail in his endeavor before our steadfastness and unity. All Jordanians, from the north of the homeland

 

 

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]

"Yesterday, I was honored to welcome the Buddhist monks to Washington National Cathedral, to learn from their example, and as Christians to recommit ourselves to the way of peace for all people. We are so grateful, so inspired, and so grateful that the monks are calling out the best in all of us as they make their pilgrimage among us. Their commitment to embody and bring peace to us all. Our response–across all that seems to divide us as a nation–reveals how united we are in our longing for peace, God willing, our readiness for peace. The monks, like all our spiritual masters of all faiths, including Jesus, remind us that true peace begins in the human heart, and in genuine peace offerings to those we love, the we struggle to love, and even those we would consider our adversaries." Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington DC, USA

 

Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington.

 dnSroeptsoigh6ccci83m56g140g1958244chtu003u8hlfg0h7a5t195hhh  ·

Yesterday, I was honored to welcome the Buddhist monks to Washington National Cathedral, to learn from their example, and as Christians to recommit ourselves to the way of peace for all people. We are so grateful, so inspired, and so grateful that the monks are calling out the best in all of us as they make their pilgrimage among us.

 

Their commitment to embody and bring peace to us all. Our response–across all that seems to divide us as a nation–reveals how united we are in our longing for peace, God willing, our readiness for peace. The monks, like all our spiritual masters of all faiths, including Jesus, remind us that true peace begins in the human heart, and in genuine peace offerings to those we love, the we struggle to love, and even those we would consider our adversaries.

 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1474029741398283&set=pcb.1474029794731611

 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]     

 

Buddha's Teaching

oodSstenprtmh0ihgffli0i1lt80223ttl39cfh92a8t2119hl3f4686315g  ·

THE WALK IS OVER. THE MESSAGE HAS JUST BEGUN.

After more than 2,300 miles on foot, Buddhist monks have reached Washington, D.C., completing a historic Walk for Peace... a journey of discipline, compassion, and hope that touched hearts across the world.

In a time filled with anger, division, and endless noise, they chose silence.

They did not protest.
They did not argue.
They did not demand.

They simply walked.

Step by step, through heat, storms, and freezing cold, they carried a message that needed no slogans: peace is lived, not spoken.

A Living Prayer in Washington, D.C.

At Washington National Cathedral, faith leaders and thousands of people from different cultures and traditions gathered together in unity. It was more than an event. It was a living prayer — a reminder that beyond language, religion, and borders, the human heart still longs for harmony, safety, and compassion.

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara shared a simple truth: walking together for peace is a moment to remember for a lifetime, and a path meant for the whole world.

Along the journey, Aloka the Peace Dog walked quietly beside the monks, touching hearts everywhere and reminding people that peace is not complicated. Peace is trust. Peace is kindness. Peace is silent love walking beside us.

If they can walk 2,300 miles for peace, perhaps we can take one step today.... one breath, one pause, one kinder choice.

Because sometimes, the quietest steps echo the farthest… and change the world.

"Violence must never be normalized or glorified. It provides no solutions to social problems. Our path forward lies in unity and peace." Volker Türk- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

"Violence must never be normalized or glorified. It provides no solutions to social problems. Our path forward lies in unity and peace."  Volker Türk  United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

@UNHumanRights Chief

In Growing Gardens for Palestine... The United Nations: International TRANSLATION Day- Translation is more than words; it is a connection. It bridges cultures, carries histories, and gives voice to those unheard. Today, September 30th on Translation Day, we celebrate those who make dialogue possible, the quiet architects of unity in every language.

Growing Gardens for Palestine 

United Nations Geneva

@UNGeneva

Translation is more than words; it is a connection. It bridges cultures, carries histories, and gives voice to those unheard. Today, on #TranslationDay, we celebrate those who make dialogue possible, the quiet architects of unity in every language.

Why 30 September?

30 September celebrates the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator, who is considered the patron saint of translators.

St. Jerome was a priest from North-eastern Italy, who is known mostly for his endeavor of translating most of the Bible into Latin from the Greek manuscripts of the New Testament. He also translated parts of the Hebrew Gospel into Greek. He was of Illyrian ancestry and his native tongue was the Illyrian dialect. He learned Latin in school and was fluent in Greek and Hebrew, which he picked up from his studies and travels. Jerome died near Bethlehem on 30 September 420.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-translation-day 

 AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies] 

The role of language professionals

International Translation Day is meant as an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, which plays an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security.

Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional translation, including translation proper, interpretation and terminology, is indispensable to preserving clarity, a positive climate and productiveness in international public discourse and interpersonal communication.

Thus, on 24 May 2017, the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/288 on the role of language professionals in connecting nations and fostering peace, understanding and development, and declared 30 September as International Translation Day.

Multilingualism, a core value of the United Nations

Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet.

There is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in attaining quality education for all and strengthening cooperation, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development.

An essential factor in harmonious communication among peoples, multilingualism is also regarded by the United Nations General Assembly as a core value of the Organization. By promoting tolerance, multilingualism ensures effective and increased participation of all in the Organization’s work, as well as greater effectiveness, better performance and improved transparency.

Translation at the UN

The United Nations is one of the world's largest employers of language professionals. Several hundred language staff work in UN offices in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, or at the United Nations regional commissions in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Geneva and Santiago. Translators are one type of language professionals employed at the UN.

UN language specialists include:

• Editorial and desktop publishing assistants;
• Editors;
• Interpreters;
• Précis-writers;
• Production editors and desktop publishers;
• Translators;
• Verbatim reporters

United Nations translators handle all kinds of documents, from statements by Member States to reports prepared by expert bodies. The documents they translate cover every topic on the United Nations agenda, including human rights, peace and security, and development. New issues arise every day. UN documents are issued simultaneously in the six official languages of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). Some core documents are also translated into German. This multilingual documentation is made possible by United Nations translators, whose job is to render clearly and accurately the content of original texts into their main language.

Interested in working as a language specialist at the United Nations? Please check UN Careers on Competitive examinations for language professionals.

Did you know?

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights holds the Guinness World Record as the most translated document. It exists in more than 500 languages.
• The United Nations is one of the world's largest employers of language professionals.
• There are six official languages of the UN - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
• A delegate may speak in any official UN language. The speech is interpreted simultaneously into the other official languages of the UN.

TRANSLATION: From one world to another

What does it really mean to translate? Translation is often the essential prerequisite for accessing a universal, multiple, diverse culture. In this issue of the UNESCO Courier, explore what this really entails.

Related Observances

• 21 February - International Mother Language Day
• 20 March - French Language Day at the UN
• 20 April - Chinese Language Day at the UN
• 23 April - English Language Day at the UN 
• 23 April - Spanish Language Day at the UN 
• 5 May - World Portuguese Language Day
• 6 June - Russian Language Day at the UN 
• 7 July - World Kiswahili Language Day
• 18 December - Arabic Language Day at the UN 
• 2022-2032 - International Decade of Indigenous Languages

Why do we mark International Days?

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.

 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights... Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 (General Assembly resolution 217 A) as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages