Local

AMMAN — A plot of land close to Kalouti Mosque in the capital’s Rabiah neighbourhood is being fenced “to ensure public safety”, under orders by Amman Governor Khaled Abu Zeid. 

Abu Zeid on Monday said the decision was taken because weekly protests held in this empty plot were becoming a public nuisance for area residents. 

“We received many complaints about these events that are held every Thursday, and we decided to take this step in order to ensure that there will be no clashes between area residents and protesters,” the governor told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Anti-normalisation activists hold protests at the location because it is close to the Israeli embassy.

Abu Zeid said the venue is not suitable for hosting such events because it is in a residential neighbourhood. 

A Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) official said GAM only implements orders. 

Over the past decade, Kalouti Mosque has become a local landmark for anti-Israeli activism.

The mosque is a main meeting point for pro-Palestinian activists in the capital, where they have for years demanded an end to the Kingdom’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel and the expulsion of Tel Aviv’s ambassador.

Kalouti first gained this political significance following the eruption of the second Palestinian uprising (Intifada) against the Israeli occupation in September 2000, as people used to organise anti-Israeli demonstrations following the Friday noon prayers at the mosque, as well as at other places in Jordan.

The empty plot of land beside the mosque became a hub for pro-Palestinian activism, especially after authorities barred protesters from approaching the Israeli embassy’s premises for security reasons.

AMMAN — “As a generation, we should learn politics, not because of power, but because of justice,” high school student Tara Matalka said in her capacity as secretary general of the 14th Annual Amman Model United Nations (AMMUN).

Hot-button political, economic and humanitarian issues were the focus of this year’s
AMMUN conference, held under the patronage of HRH Princess Sarvath. 

The Amman Baccalaureate School hosted the week-long event with the participation of more than 500 local and international high school students from the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.

During the week, students engaged in debates on pressing global issues, including terrorism, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, migrants and the privatisation of war.

“AMMUN aims — and never fails — to promote youth involvement in issues currently facing the development of our modern world. It provides a venue for politically aware students to experience the process of international decision making,” Matalka said in an address to the delegates.

AMMUN is a student simulation of the United Nations. High school students from around the world play the roles of UN member states and tackle an array of national and international topics in an attempt to find feasible solutions.  

“We aim to foster a generation that is politically aware of the issues facing the international community,” Matalka noted. 

At the conference’s closing ceremony on Monday, attended by former prime minister and Senate president Taher Masri, participants underlined the significance of the experience in developing their debating skills, teamwork abilities and knowledge on global issues. 

AMMAN — The Jordan Media Institute (JMI) and UNICEF on Monday extended the deadline for receiving submissions by journalists who wish to compete for a Child Rights Media Award to November 15.

Launched in cooperation with the European Union, the award, based on the theme “Learning for all”, is focused on the importance of education rights, and bringing attention to children’s issues at a time of regional conflict, according to a JMI statement.

The award is open for print and online written media stories, in Arabic or English, published between 2014 and 2015. Stories should be submitted with a short biography of the journalist to childrightsmediajo@gmail.com, according to the statement.

AMMAN — Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Khaled Kalaldeh on Monday said the new draft elections law serves the political process and paves the way for establishing parliamentary governments in the future.

Kalaldeh made his remarks during a meeting with representatives of leftist and nationalist parties, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He said the new elections law enables political parties to establish blocs.

Also on Monday, the minister met with a Danish delegation headed by Danish Vice Foreign Minister for Development Affairs Charlotte Slentes. Kalaldeh said the ministry has set an action plan to meet with political, partisan, civil society, women, youth and local movements for dialogue and cooperation to guarantee their participation in the reform process, according to Petra.

AMMAN — The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project recently awarded grants totalling JD200,000 to eight micro and small enterprises — five of them owned by women — based in Zarqa Governorate, according to a USAID statement released Monday.

The grants will support Jordanians to develop their new or existing businesses in various areas of the governorate, resulting in new jobs and greater income to underserved areas.

“In our efforts to encourage local economic development in Zarqa, we need to ensure that micro and small business have the resources they need in order to grow and thrive,” the statement quoted Zarqa Governor Raed Al Adwan as saying.

AMMAN — The International Republican Institute (IRI) will host the 2015 Empower Graduation Ceremony on Saturday.

The event is expected to bring together programme participants, US and Jordanian officials and guests from around the Kingdom, an IRI statement said Monday.

The ceremony will be held at the Landmark Hotel beginning at 10am.

The initiative is a multi-year programme funded by USAID that aims to enhance the political participation of women from impoverished areas in Jordan, according to the statement.

The IRI, a nonprofit organisation that promotes democracy and civic involvement, implements the programme throughout Jordan.

AMMAN — Jordan on Tuesday and Wednesday will be participating in the business forum for countries of the east and south Mediterranean benefiting from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development operations.

Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury, in his capacity as Jordan’s governor at the EBRD, will represent the Kingdom in the event, which will be held in Morocco’s Skhirat, according to a ministry statement released on Monday.

The forum’s sessions will focus on renewable energy, infrastructure and industry. EBRD’s investment portfolio in the Kingdom has reached some $480 million since 2012, the statement added.

AMMAN —  A directorate on combating radicalism and violence will be established at the Interior Ministry, in accordance with a decision by Interior Minister Salameh Hammad.

Retired Maj. Gen. Sharif Omari has been appointed to serve as its director, starting from November 1, the Jordan News agency, Petra, reported on Monday.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, watched a military exercise carried out by a joint special operations unit on Monday. 

His Majesty was briefed on the exercise proceedings, in the presence of King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben,  HRH Prince Feisal, and several senior officers. 

The exercise included fighting simulated near residential areas, supported by special back up aircraft that joined the army fleet recently, and by fighter helicopters.  

King Abdullah commended the advanced skills of the members of the joint special operations unit, according to a Royal Court statement. 

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said officials should work to improve conditions in Maan as soon as possible, highlighting projects to be implemented in the southern governorate.

At a meeting at the Royal Court with representatives and leading figures from Maan, the King expressed pride in the southern governorate and its residents, noting that they have always sought the best interest of the country, and it is the duty of all officials to develop the conditions there as soon as possible. 

King Abdullah stressed that the governorate is an important, integral part of Jordan that deserves due government attention, according to a Royal Court statement. 

“Maan is for us and has rights, I hereby say once again,” His Majesty told attendees.   

Referring to challenges facing Maan, King Abdullah highlighted economic projects to be established in the governorate, 220km south of Amman.

Foremost of these are the land port and the railway between Maan and Aqaba, the King said, adding that it is also important to examine proposals for establishing an economic bridge between the two governorates to provide job opportunities for the younger generation. 

His Majesty said he has directed the government to expedite work to implement the land port project and to prepare its budget by the beginning of 2016.

He said priority will also be given to the Aqaba-Maan railway project in order to pave the way for Maan’s development.  

“It is everyone’s responsibility to work on establishing links among security, political and economic issues, to enable us to resolve problems,” the King added. 

His Majesty asserted combating poverty and unemployment in partnership with all concerned remains a top priority.

Noting that there is a focus on renewable energy projects, the King said some have already been established and priority will be given to the southern region in light of the job opportunities these projects should provide.

He also stressed the importance of support for agricultural and livestock projects that can be implemented in Maan through adopting new, cost-effective methods.

Turning to medical services, the King said: “We are working today with the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army to expedite the implementation of hospital projects and army healthcare centres.”    

The King told Maan community leaders that providing training for young people is a strategic goal for him. 

“It is not enough to attract investments and open factories; it is necessary to invest in Jordanian citizens and their potentials.” 

Companies that wish to invest in renewable energy and technology projects should make use of young people by establishing a vocational training centre to hone their skills, besides providing scholarships to further qualify them, the King added.

Jerusalem and region

Turning to the situation in Jerusalem, Israeli violations and Jordan’s firm stance on these breaches, the King said “after we have heard the statements of the Israeli prime minister on the issue, we will test the measures implemented on the ground.”

King Abdullah explained that he will follow up on the positions of the Israeli side regarding the issue of dividing prayer times or space at Al Aqsa Mosque, noting that this is totally unacceptable for Jordan.

“For us, this is a red line,” His Majesty said. 

“When I talk about Al Haram Al Sharif I mean its entire 144-dunum area,” the King pointed out, saying that this explanation prevents any confusion about the Jordanian stance in this regard.   

Tackling regional developments, King Abdullah said “the priority remains to protect the borders in the north and the east,”  stressing his confidence in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and the Kingdom’s security bodies. 

Regarding Russia’s role in Syria, His Majesty said this has been discussed with President Vladimir Putin on several occasions, with the assertion that safeguarding Jordan’s border is a priority.

Present cooperation and coordination — with Russia and others — is in the country’s interest,the King noted. 

For the crisis in Syria, “there is no solution other than the political one,” he said. 

Royal initiatives

The King congratulated the people of Maan on the newly established karate sports academy, stressing his support for its achievements. 

At the meeting, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh highlighted Royal initiatives that have been coordinated with the government and which will be implemented by the Royal Court in a bid to serve development sectors and boost cultural life in Maan.

These include the rehabilitation and development of the King Abdullah I Palace, which was built in 1908, to restore its historic value as a monument depicting the story of Jordan and its establishment. 

The King has also issued directives on maintaining Al Sharif Hussein Bin Ali Mosque (Grand Mosque of Maan), Tarawneh said. 

Moreover, 42 homes will be built for underprivileged families in Qasabat Maan, Shobak and Petra, while Maan Juvenile Centre will be transformed into a comprehensive community development centre. 

Maan representatives expressed their appreciation for the King’s meeting with them and his commitment to maintaining contacts with the Jordanian people at all times.

They highlighted the importance of projects recently opened in the governorate, including Shams Maan and a factory for the production of phosphoric acid. 

They also stressed the need for community service and health projects, and assistance for Al Hussein Bin Talal University.