ChildrenKarakeyaI felt much better after participating in the silent candlelight vigil that took place in front of the Jordanian embassy in DC last night. Around 100 people gathered on this very cold night to signal their condemnation of the atrocities that rocked our nation. Jordanians and other nationals held candles, flags and wore the traditional Jordanian Hatta to show support for the country that means so much to them.

The reverand and the ImamThe majority of those gathered outside the embassy also made their way inside to sign the condolences book. The strong sense of solidarity that I felt amongst my fellow Jordanians was enough to alleviate some of the pain I have been feeling since the vicious attack on my country. Here is a small gallery of images from the gathering. Images here enlarge on click.

Ambassador Karim Qawar made a quick appearance and a short speech, the gist of which was that the terrorists had failed, they tried to divide Jordanians but instead made them even more united. Indeed. Here is brief highlight from the Washington Post on the vigil:

UnityJordanians and Americans joined in front of the Jordanian Embassy at dusk yesterday to mourn the bombing deaths in Amman and to denounce the terrorism that caused them.

With red, white, black and green Jordanian flags wrapped around their shoulders, or with small Jordanian and U.S. flags protruding from pockets, they held candles against the darkening sky.

"We, as members of the Jordanian immigrant community, want to extend our sympathy, our love of Jordan and our solidarity with the nation of Jordan and His Majesty King Abdullah II," said the Rev. Fuad Khouri, a parish associate pastor at Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church.

"Jordan has been shaken," he said, "but it will rise again, and it will continue to be a country of peace the way it has been," he said.