Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Prince Ghazi Ben Mohammad on Monday opened the Second World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies (WOCMES-2).

“It is the first time that we in Jordan, and for that matter, that any Arab country hosts this meeting. We are especially proud that it is the largest gathering of its kind ever held in the Middle East,” the King said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Prince Ghazi.

“Your conclusions and recommendations will undoubtedly provide important advice and information for those in this region who are determined to pursue peace, tolerance and development in this region. We in Jordan are, by the Grace of God, leading this constituency of peace,” the King said in his address to the gathering of more than 1,300 scholars, researchers and academics.

WOCMES-2, the first major congress of Middle Eastern studies ever to take place in the region, provides Middle Eastern specialists from all branches of the humanities and social sciences with the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.

WOCMES -1 took place in September 2002 with more than 2,000 participants from 52 countries. It was initiated by the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and organised by the University of Mainz in Germany.