His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday received the Peace of Westphalia Prize in recognition of his endeavours for peace and international security and stability.

The award ceremony was held in the German Münster City, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, along with German President Joachim Gauck, his spouse and European and international figures.

The prize, which enjoys a distinguished historical status and represents a symbol of peace in Europe, holds the name of North Rhine-Westphalia State, which is famous for the Peace of Westphalia treaties that ended long years of wars and spread peace among Europe’s peoples.

In a speech at the event, King Abdullah called for learning lessons from Westphalia Peace, calling for fresh thinking, and highlighting the similarities between the situation in Europe in the 17th century and the current one in the Middle East.

“There were influential voices urging the parties not to reconcile; not to put grievances aside; not to accept neighbours of a different path and a different faith. But the negotiators ­— at one time and another, I understand, more than 100 delegations — went a different way. They saw that their own interests would only be met when, together, they fulfilled a collective interest: in peace, cooperation, and mutual respect,” His Majesty said.

His Majesty underlined “a dangerous lack of understanding of the true nature of Islam”, warning that extremists — on all sides — use that lack of knowledge to “polarise societies and drive us apart”.

The King called for collective action to end the regional crises and vulnerabilities that terrorists exploit.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Gauck commended Jordan’s humanitarian role in the Middle East, stressing that those aware of the Kingdom’s efforts in shouldering the refugee burden cannot but respect it and what it stands for.

Pro-peace Jordan, King Abdullah said, has proved a model for other countries, commending its record as a refugee host despite its scarce resources, especially in the educational sector, where refugees in Jordan are granted this right.

Chairman of the Economic Society of Westphalia and Lippe Reinhard Zinkann praised His Majesty’s courage in confronting regional challenges, and exerting efforts to bring about peace and stability to the region’s peoples.

Münster’s mayor said that Jordan is an exemplary country when it comes to peace-making and persistence, preserving its security and stability despite existing in a turbulent region. He urged more assistance to be funnelled to the Kingdom to help it overcome various challenges.