Jordanian Grand Mufti affirms death sentences for Hammoud church attack perpetrators

Grand Mufti Ahmad al-Hasanat affirmed on November 15, 2026, that death sentences handed down to the perpetrators of the Hammoud church attack align with Islamic Sharia law. The Jordanian State Security Court sentenced three individuals to death by hanging for their roles in an attack on St. George Church in Hammoud, located 118 km south of Amman. The attack occurred on October 23, 2025, during a funeral service attended by approximately 200 people.

Legal classification of the crime

Grand Mufti Ahmad al-Hasanat stated that the death sentences are consistent with Islamic Sharia law. The Grand Mufti classified the crime as Hirabah, which refers to crimes against society, rather than standard homicide. Under this classification, the right to retribution belongs to the state rather than the families of the victims. Ahmad al-Hasanat noted that the issue is not religion itself, but terrorist groups that misinterpret religious texts to justify violence and Takfir.

The Jordanian Army stated the convicted individuals were guilty of terrorist acts, the use of weapons and ammunition, and the promotion of terrorist group ideologies. The three convicted individuals, who are Jordanian nationals consisting of two brothers and a brother-in-law, follow Takfiri ideology. During their trial, the three convicted individuals attended the proceedings remotely from their place of detention.

Casualties and additional sentences

The attack on St. George Church resulted in 9 deaths and 25 injuries among the approximately 200 people gathered for the funeral. Security authorities apprehended the suspects three days after the October 23 attack. In addition to the death sentences, the State Security Court sentenced two additional individuals to 6 years in prison for selling weapons to the attackers.

The victims' families were represented by lawyer Amer Halsa during the legal process. The attack caused significant disruption in the Karak Governorate, where Hammoud is located. The court's decision follows a period of investigation into the motives and the supply chain of the weapons used during the incident.

Institutional efforts against extremism

The Grand Mufti noted that the Fatwa Department has worked for years to counter extremist ideologies through various publications and books. This institutional effort aims to prevent the spread of radical interpretations of religious texts. The classification of the Hammoud attack as Hirabah emphasizes the state's role in prosecuting crimes that threaten the social fabric and public safety.

The Jordanian authorities have maintained that the conviction of the three Jordanian nationals reflects the state's commitment to addressing terrorism and the use of weapons in civilian areas. The legal proceedings concluded with the affirmation that the judicial outcomes for the Hammoud church attack align with both national law and religious principles regarding crimes against society.

Glossary

• Hirabah — Hirabah refers to crimes against society. It is a classification used for certain crimes rather than standard homicide.
• Takfiri ideology — Takfiri ideology is a set of beliefs followed by certain individuals. It is associated with the misinterpretation of religious texts to justify violence.
• Grand Mufti — The Grand Mufti is a religious official who can classify crimes and affirm the alignment of legal sentences with religious principles.
• Islamic Sharia law — Islamic Sharia law is a religious legal system. It can be used to determine if judicial outcomes align with religious principles.
• State Security Court — The State Security Court is a judicial body that conducts trials and issues sentences. It can hand down sentences such as death by hanging or imprisonment.