Jordan Declares Three Days of Mourning After Church Attack Kills Seven in Karak

AMMAN, Oct 23: Jordan has declared three days of national mourning following a terrorist attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Hamoud village in the southern governorate of Karak that killed seven people.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered the nationwide mourning period to begin on Friday, Oct 23, 2026. Flags will be flown at half-mast at ministries, government departments and public institutions.

The government said the decision reflected “the grief of all Jordanians and their solidarity in this painful tragedy.” It also extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

Government spokesman and Communications Minister Mohammad Momani attributed the attack to what he described as “extremist takfiri ideology,” a term referring to the practice of declaring other Muslims or people to be unbelievers.

Momani said investigators were examining whether the perpetrators had links to any organizations. The findings would be announced after the investigation is completed, he added.

He stressed that Christians are “an integral and inseparable part of Jordan’s national fabric,” with deep roots in the country’s history and identity.

Authorities are continuing efforts to pursue the attackers and anyone connected to the crime, Momani said.

King Abdullah II visited the injured at Karak Government Hospital on Friday evening. The King had earlier pledged the “harshest” punishment in response to the attack.

The investigation remains ongoing as Jordan mourns the victims and authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deadly assault.