Jordan marks 72nd independence anniversary

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday attended the official national celebration marking Jordan’s 72nd Independence Day with Her Majesty Queen Rania and HRH Crown Prince Hussein, a Royal Court statement said.

The country won its full independence on May 25, 1946, following the end of the British mandate.

The national anthem was played upon the King’s arrival at Al Husseiniya Palace, where the ceremony was held, and the artillery fired a 21-gun salute, while His Majesty reviewed guards of honour who queued to salute him.

During the celebration, which was attended by several Royal family members and senior civil and military officials, Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Senate President Faisal Fayez, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh and Judicial Council President Mohammad Ghazo, delivered speeches outlining the achievements of the Kingdom in all fields since independence.

They stressed that these achievements, thanks to the leadership and the hardworking people of Jordan, have made Jordan a distinctive country that is held in high esteem internationally.

The heads of authorities highlighted Jordan’s developments over the past decades, starting from the reign of King Abdullah I, the founder of the Kingdom, to King Talal, who drew up a new progressive Constitution in 1952, King Hussein, the builder of modern Jordan, and King Abdullah, the leader of achievement, modernisation and development.

They pointed out that Jordan, despite the external shocks caused by the recurrent regional instability, has kept the momentum of the development path.

The speakers underscored His Majesty’s efforts in supporting the Palestinian cause and the holy city of Jerusalem as the top priority, outlining the historical role of the Hashemites to protect Jerusalem and its Muslim and Christian holy sites since the time of Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, the King’s great grandfather.

During the celebration, the King awarded medals to national institutions and a number of pioneers in various sectors for their efforts in building the country and enhancing its progress, the statement said.

The King, Queen and Crown Prince watched a short film on the achievements of the awarded persons and institutions.

His Majesty King Abdullah said in a tweet that this country has been built with the determination of Jordanian men and women who have made independence and preserved it across generations, and it is our duty to continue building to keep our homeland free and lofty, a beacon for glory. God bless Jordan and Jordanians”.

On his Instagram account, the Crown Prince wrote: “Happy independence anniversary for our Jordan”.  

Achievers decorated on national day

Following is the list of organisations and individuals who were honoured by His Majesty King Abdullah on the occasion of the 72nd Independence Day: 

• Department of Jerusalem Awqaf and Al Aqsa Mosque Affairs — Order of Independence of the First Class for the key role of the department in safeguarding the Islamic Awqaf and holy sites

• Marwan Qteishat – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his efforts in developing the performance of the Civil Status and Passports Department 

• Abdullah Oweidi Abbadi – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his distinguished efforts and excellence in medicine and introducing bone marrow transplant to Jordan and the Arab region

• Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for the institution’s role in supporting culture, science and art

• University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies – Order of Independence of the First Class for the institution’s role in conducting studies and research papers of strategic dimensions 

• Hala Zreiqat – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for her achievements and innovations in biomedical engineering

• Fayzah Zu’bi – Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class in appreciation for her role and dedication in voluntary work

• Nashmi Centre for Youth Empowerment — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for efforts of integrating Jordanian youth into voluntary initiatives

• Jordan Trail Association — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for marketing Jordan’s trekking and adventure tourism and helping the local communities along the trail

• Beit Al Rowad Troupe — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class in appreciation of its role in supporting pioneering musicians and singers

• Madaba Institute for Mosaic Art and Restoration — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for promoting art in the Middle East

• Nayef Steitieh — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for establishing and managing the Jordanian Business Development Centre

• Abnaa Al Qalaa (the citadel folks) social/historical drama crew — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for highlighting major events in Jordan’s history.

• Miassar Al Saadi — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Third Class for her efforts in the field of women’s empowerment for 40 years

• Bseira Sports Club — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Third Class for advancing Judo in the Kingdom

• Hussam Ayad — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Third Class in appreciation of his endeavours to support people with disabilities in sports.