Jordan marks passing of Queen Alia

AMMAN — Saturday marked the 42nd anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Queen Alia, who passed away on February 9, 1977.

The late Queen, who was born in Cairo on December 25, 1948, died in a helicopter crash while returning from an inspection of Tafileh Hospital in southern Jordan.

Queen Alia, born Alia Baha Uddin Toukan, married His Majesty the late King Hussein in 1971.

They had two children: Their Royal Highnesses Princess Haya and Prince Ali. In 1972, they adopted Abeer Moheisen.

Active in charity and social work, Queen Alia represented Jordanian women at many international conferences, serving as a model for Arab women in supporting their causes and their participation in socioeconomic development.

In memory of Queen Alia, Princess Haya, wife of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, set up Tkiyet Um Ali, which provides assistance to underprivileged families.

Launched in 2006, the project was originally an idea introduced by the late Queen, who wanted to help underprivileged families.

The term “tkiyet” dates back to the Ottoman period, when prominent families opened facilities on their estates to offer food to the poor and homeless.