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AMMAN — Despite security warnings for US citizens in the region, including Jordan, the US embassy in Amman on Saturday said the Kingdom remains safe and secure.

The embassy said it sent warning messages to US citizens in Jordan to remind them that terrorist organisations had spoken of their desire to execute attacks that could target the US, embassy spokesperson Eric Barbee told the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

He said the threats prompted the embassy to issue these warnings to US citizens to take maximum levels of vigilance, although the embassy had no information about any specific threats to Americans at this point in time, according to Petra.

The embassy said that within the last year, Jordanian authorities have notified the US embassy of several disrupted terrorist plots targeting US citizens and Westerners, adding that in each case, those responsible have been arrested by Jordanian security services, and investigations are ongoing. 

In a statement, the embassy said it has no information of any current, specific threats against Americans at this time.  However, it reminded US citizens that “extremist organisations have expressed a desire to conduct attacks targeting US and Western visitors in Jordan”.

Many of these threats involve assailants seeking targets of opportunity.  Therefore, the embassy advised US citizens planning to visit Jordan to only stay at hotels with a visible security presence, such as uniformed guards and screening apparatus.  

Larger hotels, particularly those affiliated with major US and international hotel chains, are more likely to have such measures in place, it explained. 

In addition, US citizens were strongly encouraged to be aware of local events, take appropriate steps to bolster their personal security and report suspicious behaviour or activities to local authorities immediately.

SHAKRIYEH/AMMAN – Sitting in the Kingdom’s southern desert and holding up his smartphone, Hassan Maraaiah proudly shows many friend’s requests he has received from strangers on Facebook after his performance in the Jordanian film “Theeb”. 

Yet the “celebrity life” is of secondary importance for Maraaiah. Instead, he feels “relieved” that “Theeb”, the first Jordanian movie to be nominated for an Oscar, treats the area’s residents fairly and presents “real facts”.

The coming-of-age tale depicts a young bedouin boy, Theeb, trying to survive in the Wadi Rum desert during the Great Arab Revolt in 1916.

“Jordanian drama series do not truly represent us, because local directors used to tell stories without double-checking with the people in the badia, so most of the details presented in their works were inaccurate,” Maraaiah told The Jordan Times on Friday. 

“We have hundreds of Jordanian series, but we only see the same faces and themes They have not tackled any real issues, such as how the area’s residents deal with life in the desert,” the 40-year-old added.

He described “Theeb” as “honest” because it sends a message of humanity and peace — aspects fundamental to the Southern Badia and the whole Kingdom.    

Bassel Ghandour, the movie’s co-writer and producer, said the creators of “Theeb” stayed in the Southern Badia’s Shakriyeh for almost one year to get the details of local life right. 

“The village’s residents and its elderly people help develop the script and story. We used their real dialect so that they would feel comfortable acting; so I can say that they also took part in making the movie,” he told The Jordan Times in a recent interview in Amman.  

New opportunities

The award-winning “bedouin-Western”, directed and co-scripted by Naji Abu Nowar, has opened new opportunities for its cast members and brought greater publicity to the region, they said. 

Hussein Suweilheen, who played Theeb’s brother, said no one in the area paid attention to anything related to cinema before the film shoot.

“After area residents watched the movie, many thanked us for our efforts in exposing our region to the world and for introducing them to the world of cinema, which for them was previously limited to Egyptian films,” Suweilheen told the Jordan Times at one of the movie’s shooting locations. 

Given the difficulties currently experienced in the tourism sector across the Kingdom due to instability in the region, residents of the Wadi Rum area are exploring work in the film sector.

“I am thinking of participating in the documentary field because it is real and tells facts, and tourism is not as profitable as it was in the past here,” Suweilheen added. 

He noted that he has worked on five TV documentaries, including for German channels and National Geographic Abu Dhabi. Maraaiah said many of his neighbours contacted him to ask how they could follow in his footsteps. 

“After ‘Theeb’, I became a bedouin specialist for TV shows,” he added. 

However, the film has also boosted local tourism by giving more prominence to the Wadi Rum area.

Suweilheen recalled that after the critically acclaimed movie was screened in Italy, members of the audience visited him in Wadi Rum and camped there. 

“The area was known before the movie, but it amplified its exposure and brought many visitors from the whole world,” Maraaiah said.

The most important element of the movie for him was that it revealed to the whole world the hardships and challenges facing badia residents. 

“We were neglected and no one knew about our concerns.” 

Highlighting traditions

While many Jordanians were surprised to see the film achieve such great success, Suweilheen said the dedication of the crew gave him the impression that the movie will be a big hit. 

“The first time I went to a movie theatre was in Italy. It was a strange feeling to see myself on the screen, but I was happy that I performed the role well. After the end of the screening people kept cheering for us for 10 minutes,” he said with a smile. 

Despite the popularity of the film, its star Jacir Eid, who played the titular role, has returned to his simple life, “hanging out” with his friends at school. 

“I was so happy acting and it was an exciting experience. My friends were amazed that I starred in a film,” he told The Jordan Times.  

The 15-year-old said he will only accept further acting roles if the works highlight the traditions of his ancestors.  

For similar reasons, the success of the movie inspired Maraaiah to encourage his son to consider a career in film. 

“I am encouraging him to study film directing because we have a rich culture and we need to take advantage of it and show it to the world.” 

AMMAN – Different weather forecasts by two meteorology agencies on whether the polar front affecting the Kingdom this week would bring heavy snow or not, created waves of sarcasm across the social media sphere in Jordan. 

Some Facebook and Twitter users described the relatively varying forecasts by the state-run Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) and the privately-owned Arabiaweather.com as a head-to-head competition, and that the winner would be revealed Sunday. 

The JMD said on Wednesday that the depression and the cold polar front will be strong and bring accumulating snow to mountainous areas, including the capital. But Arabiaweather.com announced the depression would be weaker. 

Social media users likened the “challenge” to a football game. 

“JMD has challenged Arabiaweather and the latter has accepted the challenge,” Amer Hanandeh wrote on his Facebook page, adding that it seems the two agencies are only focusing on proving who would be victorious.  

Sunday’s “final match” will be between the JMD and Arabiaweather.com, Hamdan Ayesh joked on Facebook. 

Laith Khawaldeh joined in on the sarcasm.

“Dear fans, whether you support JMD or Arabiaweather, please don’t allow the weather to cause division between us,” Khawaldeh wrote on Facebook. 

On her Twitter account, Mai Weshah (‏@Mai_AlWeshah) wrote: “Sorry JMD and Arabiaweather, but I’m going to believe my mother because when she says there will be snow, it means there will be snow.” 

Rabea Hamdan (@RabeaHamdan) said both agencies not only caused confusion among Jordanians but also affected the depression itself. 

“The depression is now confused whether to affect the Kingdom or not,” Hamdan joked. 

Ziad Ababneh (@ZiadAbabneh) said the important question that should be asked is should people trust weather forecasts — whether prepared by a professional agency or amateur meteorologists? 

Other Facebook users posted a doctored picture of the logo of the popular TV talent show “The Voice” making it looks like a logo for the competition between the two meteorology agencies. 

“Tonight is the finale. Vote for your favourite weather forecaster,” Laith  Weshah wrote on top of the doctored picture.   

AMMAN — Three Malaysian students enrolled at Karak’s Mutah University died in a road accident in Safawi, near the city of Mafraq in the capital’s north on Saturday morning, and two others were injured, Malaysia’s embassy said in a statement.

The accident occurred when the vehicle of the Malaysian students, “who were on a visit programme”, was hit by a vehicle from the opposite direction.  

The injured are receiving treatment at Mafraq Hospital, the embassy said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, adding that it is arranging for their transferral to Amman in cooperation with the Ministry of Health. 

“The victims’ families have been contacted, and all related arrangements are being attended to by the embassy,” the statement said.

The students killed are Fatin Ikmal Idziyanibinti Che Aziz, Hana’ binti Azhar and Al Najiatun Nailah binti Mohd Safie, while the injured are Fatin Noor Syahirah binti Ramli and Muhammad Izzam Hasif bin Anuwar — all third-year students at Mutah University.

The embassy commended the government’s cooperation and assistance over the issue, also thanking Mutah University and Mafraq’s Al al Bayt University, the Mafraq hospital, traffic police, Malaysian Students’ Association of Mutah, Malaysian Students’ Association of Mafraq, and Malaysian students in Mutah, Mafraq and Irbid.

AMMAN — Interior Minister Salameh Hammad on Saturday said Gazans who have a temporary Jordanian passport do not need a residency permit as their passports enable them to enter, exit or stay in the country.

Amendments to the law on residency and foreigners› affairs that are currently being discussed in Parliament will not entail any changes to their situation, Hammad added. Work permits, on the other hand, are regulated by the Labour Law, he said, noting that Gazans are exempted of work permit fees under a recent Cabinet decision, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The agency also quoted Labour Minister Nidal Katamine as confirming that holders of temporary two- and five-year passports are exempted from work permit fees. In Jordan there are around 1 million holders of temporary passports, 150,000 of whom are Gazans and the rest are Palestinians who do not have a national number after Jordan’s disengagement from the West Bank in 1989, according to official figures.

AMMAN — Public Sector Development Minister Khleef Al Khawaldeh and Labour Minister Nidal Katamine discussed on Saturday means to implement a project to enhance good governance in the labour sector, according to a Public Sector Development Ministry statement.

The meeting covered the system for evaluating the project, which consists of six aspects: legal and organisational structure, policies and strategies, decision making, human resources management, operations and services, and financial management.

The two ministers agreed that the Public Sector Development Ministry would meet with several senior officials from the labour sector in February in order to speed up the evaluation process.

AMMAN — The Karak Awqaf Department has closed the Hazzaa Majali Mosque in northern Karak for safety concerns, the department›s director, Hmoud Dmour, said on Saturday.

Dmour said the mosque was closed based on a decision by the public safety committee in Karak, due to hazards in the building that may pose danger to worshippers.

The case file on the mosque›s construction has been referred to the Anti-Corruption Commission. Built around seven years ago, the Hazzaa Majali Mosque is the largest in Al Rabaa town in Karak and was built at a cost of more than JD1 million, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

AMMAN — The Social Security Corporation (SSC) has officially launched a WhatsApp service to keep Jordanian expatriates and the clubs or commissions representing them up-to-date on insurance issues, an SSC statement said Saturday.

The SSC media centre will be observing and updating the WhatsApp service and will publish news and data about the corporation. The service is available on the number: 00962778469945, according to the statement. The SSC urged anyone with inquiries to also contact it through the email: webmaster@ssc.gov.jo, or on www.ssc.gov.jo, or contact the international number: 0096265008080.

AMMAN – The Civil Defence Department (CDD) has formed mobile teams to reach people in need more quickly during the cold polar front, which is expected to bring heavy rain and snow this week, according to a CDD official.

CDD Media Director Brig. Gen. Farid Sharaa told The Jordan Times on Saturday that the teams will be stationed at vital locations in the capital such as the Interior Ministry Circle, the 4th Circle and Firas Traffic Lights in Jabal Hussein, adding that the purpose is to guarantee a quick response to emergencies.

The mobile teams were created after heavy rain and floods in early November of last year resulted in major damages and four deaths in Amman, Sharaa said, stressing that these groups will be ready to prevent such incidents.

The CDD mobile teams aim to cope with any road closures, especially tunnels in all governorates, while Amman is the centre of their attention due to the abundance of tunnels in the capital, he added.

The teams will be provided with all rescue equipment and will meet the expectations of the public, Sharaa said.

In a statement issued Saturday, the CDD called on the public to follow safety measures during the harsh weather, which include keeping away from valleys where floods are expected.

The department urged people to limit their movement on the highways during the snowfall. It also advised them to ensure suitable ventilation when using heaters and to keep children away from sources of danger. 

In case of emergency, the public can call 911.

Also on Saturday, the Public Security Department said it has already embarked on implementing its plan to ensure smooth traffic movement during the depression, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Central Traffic Department Director Col. Yaser Harahsheh said a plan is already in place to prevent accidents on snowy and icy roads, with police officers deployed at tunnel entrances and major intersections to divert traffic in case of flooding. 

Harahsheh urged people to avoid driving during inclement weather unless in case of emergency.

The Greater Amman Municipality said it has prepared 140 vehicles to deal with potential snow accumulation, Petra, reported.

The municipality called on residents not to park their cars on roads to ensure flexibility in reopening streets.

AMMAN — The impact of a depression and cold polar front currently affecting Jordan is forecast to deepen on Sunday, when strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall are expected, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

The polar front and the depression, which will be centred over Syria by Sunday, will also cause temperatures to drop during this week 7OC-9OC below their annual average of 13ºC, while nighttime temperatures will dip below 0ºC, according to the department.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected, especially in the northern and central regions, while snowfall on elevations of 1,000m above sea level is expected during the day, according to JMD forecaster Raed Rafed, who said that by nighttime snow will fall on areas 900m above sea level and higher., which includes most of west Amman.

Brisk westerly to northwesterly winds with speeds reaching 60-70 kilometres per hour are forecast, which will raise dust in the desert, the JMD said, and daytime temperatures will be 6ºC, dropping to 2ºC at night in Amman.

Colder polar winds are expected to blow on Monday, when temperatures will further drop during the day to 5ºC and to 0ºC at night in the capital, the JMD said, and the weather will be very cold, cloudy and rainy across the Kingdom, with northwesterly brisk and gusty winds.

"Snow is also expected to fall on areas located 800m above sea level. On Monday night, snow is likely to fall on areas located 700m above sea level as well," Rafed noted.

Another slight drop in temperatures is expected on Tuesday, when the weather will remain very cold, rainy and cloudy, the department said, adding that snow is expected to fall on elevations of 700m above sea level and higher.

Tlaa Al Ali, Rabiah, Jubeiha, Khalda, University of Jordan area, Dahiyat Al Rashid, Sweileh and Um Al Summaq are among the capital's areas located 1,000m above sea level. 

Arjan, the Sports City area, Shmeisani, Dahiyat Al Amir Rashid, Um Uthainah, Jabal Hussein, Abdoun, Jabal Luweibdeh, Bayader, Sweifieh, Marj Al Hamam, Shafa Badran, Naour and Jabal Amman are all areas located between 800 and 1,000m above sea level, according to an unofficial chart. 

Areas such as downtown, Jabal Al Jofeh, Jabal Al Taj, Marka, Al Hashemi Al Shamali, Al Hashemi Al Janoubi and Al Jizeh are located 700m above sea level. 

Temperatures on Tuesday are expected to range between a high of 4ºC and a low of -1ºC in Amman, while winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk.

"Temperatures on Wednesday will remain low during the day and below 0ºC at night in Amman. Snow and rain will gradually stop by Wednesday afternoon and ice formation due to low temperatures is expected across the Kingdom," Rafed told The Jordan Times.

The JMD issued several weather-related warnings for this week, including flood formation in low-lying areas, strong winds, accumulating snow, reduced road visibility due to heavy rain and snow, slippery roads and freezing temperatures.

With the JMD forecasting sub-zero temperatures at night during the polar front, the Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) called on its subscribers to insulate their water meters to protect them.

In a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, Miyahuna said that subscribers will incur the repair costs if their meters are damaged, calling on subscribers in Amman, Zarqa and Madaba to wrap their water gauges with burlap or a piece of cloth to protect them from damage, while any exposed water pipes should also be covered with burlap or rock wool to prevent freezing temperatures from damaging them.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture issued on Saturday instructions to farmers, cattle breeders and owners of fisheries and poultry farms to avoid losses due to freezing temperatures.

"Farmers are required to take precautionary measures to minimise the impact of the cold weather on their crops during snow and freezing temperatures," the ministry's spokesperson, Nimer Haddadin, told The Jordan Times.

Farmers should warm up greenhouses during the day and close them at night to preserve the heat, Haddadin said, adding that when temperatures dip to around 0ºC, farmers should also burn dry grass near the crops and slightly water them to mitigate the impact of frost and freezing temperatures.

Cattle breeders are urged to visit the ministry's directorates and veterinary clinics to receive vaccines and instructions; to keep newborn animals inside the barns; and to secure water and fodder there as well. Owners of poultry farms are requested to set the temperatures inside the barracks and regulate the feeding of the chickens.