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Nine Christians have been killed in a terrorist attack on a Jordanian church, prompting fierce condemnation, demands for justice and renewed concerns about religious persecution.

The death toll from an alleged Islamic terrorist attack on a Christian church in the Kingdom of Jordan has risen to nine. More than thirty people were injured.

Official sources ruled that St George’s Greek Orthodox church in the Karak village of Hamoud was targeted by “extremists”.

Victims were attending a funeral.

While no group has yet claimed responsibility for the 23 October massacre, Karak is an area where Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda are known to have had a presence.

Without naming any specific groups, official Jordanian sources declared the mass murder to be an act of terrorism, mentioned extremist ideology and stated that an investigation is underway.

Jordan’s King Vows Swift Justice

Jordan’s King Abdullah II isn’t messing around either. He quickly condemned the attack and promised full retribution, directing the use of an iron fist against “the outlaws of Islam.”

The King emphasised “the need to pursue and hold accountable anyone supporting or justifying this act under the full force of the law.”

Petra, Jordan’s official news agency, said he has asserted “no room for leniency”, stating “that the hand of justice will reach every terrorist.”

The King, they added, also “directed the government and relevant institutions to review policies for countering extremist ideology and to intensify efforts to eradicate its root causes through a systematic plan developed in coordination with religious authorities.”

A day after the terrorist attack, his wife, Queen Rania Al Abdullah, referred to the church’s victims as martyrs.

On X, she wrote, “Today’s heinous crime against worshippers in Karak has devastated us all. This deep wound is borne by all Jordanians, and the loss is not only felt by the village of Hamoud, but by each member of the larger Jordanian family.

“Our hearts are with our people of Al Karak. May the martyrs rest in peace, may the injured make a speedy recovery, and may God protect Jordan and its people.”

الملكة رانيا العبدالله تقدم واجب العزاء بشهداء قرية حمود في الكرك
#الأردن #التلفزيون_الأردني #الكرك https://t.co/xfObT7EWjv

— Jordan TV-التلفزيون الأردني (@JrtvMedia) October 25, 2026

State TV also filmed Rania consoling Christians.

Illustrating the Jordanian government’s swift response on behalf of Christians, Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya made a statement flanked by Public Security Directorate (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Obaidullah Al-Maaytah on the day of the attack.

Petra said, “Al-Faraya opened the press conference by praying for the souls of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery, and extending condolences to the families of the victims.”

He called the attack a “tragic incident” and added condolences for the people of Karak and all Jordanians.

Al-Faraya said, “The country was facing a terrorist operation carried out by perpetrators of a heinous act, stressing that the cowardly terrorist attack would only strengthen Jordanians’ determination and resolve to reject violence and extremism in all their forms.”

At the time, PSD boss Al-Maaytah said that seven people had been killed, with thirty-four injured. On 24 October, the number murdered in the alleged Islamic terrorist attack on the church was revised to nine.

He reportedly affirmed that “those responsible for the terrorist attack would be arrested soon and brought to justice, with legal measures taken against them.”

Church Leaders Condemn the Massacre

Additional condemnations for the bloodshed came from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

MECC offered both prayer and solidarity, stating, “The criminal act constitutes a grave violation of the sanctity of places of worship, the sacredness of human life, and human dignity.”

“The Council affirms that targeting churches and places of worship, and attacking worshippers and peaceful civilians, constitute a blatant violation of the sanctity of holy places and of the human and moral values shared by the entire human family.

“Such acts are unacceptable and condemnable by every religious, humanitarian, and national standard. Places of worship exist to be houses of prayer, peace, and hope — not arenas of violence, killing, and fear.”

Notably, MECC promoted its confidence in Jordan’s authorities and asserted its ecumenical mission, which aims at unity, common witness, service, dialogue, awareness and love.

They then asserted that these, along with the rejection of ‘hate speech ’, are among the most effective means of safeguarding civil peace and social stability.

Christians Refuse to Be Driven From Their Homeland

An official response from the Greek Orthodox Church came from the Jerusalem Patriarchate, Theophilos III, who shepherds the Orthodox Church in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Quoting Jesus’ words to Martha about Lazarus in John 11:25-26, Theophilos slammed the attack in a press release, while also calling for calm.

Theophilos described the alleged Islamic terrorist attack as a vile, cowardly and bloody act.

Defiant, he encouraged people not to let the mass murder undermine the bond between Christians and Muslims in the area.

Theophilos said, “If the intent behind this message is to uproot us from our Holy Land and displace us, it will only serve to strengthen our attachment to it and deepen our roots within it. No matter how intense the events around us may become, or what hardships may befall us, we shall not be driven to leave our land.

“We are the children of this land, its very roots, and partners in its history, its present, and its future. We shall remain here as witnesses to the faith, regardless of how great the challenges or how severe the trials may be.”

This was followed by an affirmation of what he called moderate Islam, with the Jerusalem Patriarch stating that the criminal act was entirely alien and contrary to it.

Thousands gathered today at St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Hamoud, Karak, to mourn, pray, and bid farewell to the Christian martyrs of Jordan’s church attack. Families and mourners joined the funeral procession in grief and solidarity.

The nine martyrs were killed after gunmen opened fire on mourners attending a funeral at the church on Friday, October 23. They had gathered to say goodbye to a loved one, never imagining their own families would soon be mourning them.

Lord, grant our martyrs eternal rest in Your presence. Comfort their families, heal the injured, and strengthen all those carrying the pain of this tragedy. May Your peace surround the people of Jordan, and may the memory of these beloved souls remain eternal. 🇯🇴✝️🙏

— Eastern christians (@Easternchristns) October 25, 2026

Other political and religious leaders who have so far shared solidarity with the victims include Pope Leo XIV, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Canada’s Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, and Saudi Crown Prince Al Hussein.

The Ongoing Persecution of Jordan’s Christians

Jordan is 49th on the Open Doors World Watchlist. Christians, the report found, “may face employment discrimination, monitoring, and restrictions.”

There are 170,000 Christians in the country who can face persecution through clan oppression and Islamic oppression.

Open Doors states that although the country enjoys a relatively high degree of religious freedom, persecution can also include government monitoring and restrictions on activities like public preaching.

The watchlist also explained that “Christian converts from Islam risk violence, arrest, or even death from their families or extremist groups if they openly express their faith. Unrecognised churches, particularly those that evangelise, may face harassment from the authorities.”

“Despite Jordan’s reputation for tolerance and interfaith dialogue, Islamic extremists continue to pose a threat to Christians and other minorities.”

To add, leaving Islam is prohibited. Converts can become convicts at the hands of Sharia courts and lose their legal status and contracts, including their marriages.

The report concludes by recalling that “Christians who share their faith may experience pressure and detention.”

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Images courtesy of Unsplash, Petra and X.