According to the constitution, the State safeguards the free exercise of all forms of worship and religious rites in accordance with the customs observed in the Kingdom, unless such exercise is inconsistent with public order or decorum. Congregations have the right to establish and maintain their own schools for the education of their own members provided that they comply with the general provisions of the law and submit to the control of government in matters relating to their curricula and tendency.
The Political Parties Law prohibits houses of worship from being used for political party activity. This has been interpreted as a means to prevent Islamist parliamentarians from preaching in mosques. Religious instruction is mandatory for all Muslim students in public schools.
According to some reports, the government does not interfere with public worship by Jordan's Christian minority (8 percent of the population). Christian Arabs account for an estimated three percent of the population. Many Christians feel threatened by militant Islam and are emigrating to Western countries. In 1996, the government declared Christmas a national holiday and permitted the teaching of Christianity in public schools. The government does not recognize the Baha'i faith as a religion but does not prohibit the practice of the faith.
The law prohibits non-Muslims from proselytizing. Muslims who convert to other faiths complain of social and government discrimination. The Government does not fully recognize the legality of such conversions. Under Shari'a law, converts from Islam are regarded as apostates and may be legally denied their property and other rights. Converts from Islam are still considered Muslims under Shari'a law.
2003 US State Department International Religious Freedom Report on Jordan
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