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AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday participated in the Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean-Western Balkans, organised by the EU in Luxembourg.

The conference aims at focusing on the repercussions of the Syrian crisis and the challenges faced by European and neighbouring countries in the matter, in addition to discussing crimes committed at borders, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Yousef Bataineh, the accredited representative to the EU and the European Commission, said during his speech at the conference that Jordan warned the international community since the very beginning from the accumulation of the crisis’ effects as well as the spread of terrorism and extremism.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday stressed the importance of forging ahead with political reforms, stressing the need for legislation endorsed without any delays despite adverse regional conditions, according to a Royal Court statement.

At a Royal Court meeting with representatives and dignitaries of the Palestinian camps, the King said: "We do not want any delays in the [enactment] of the elections bill and the other laws that steer political reform in the right direction." 

In line with the King's commitment to transparency, His Majesty underscored Jordan's strong decade-and-a-half political positions and the high appreciation of Jordan and Jordanian people worldwide.  

The King noted that he heard these words of appreciation in several Eastern and Western countries, saying "today is a chance to thank my people from the north, centre, south, east and west for their positions."

Regarding Israeli violations in Jerusalem, the King said protecting Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif is the most important issue to him, pointing out that such a mission is his “personal duty” and an honour for Jordan.

“During my recent visit to New York, I spoke with leaders of Arab, Western and Eastern countries and I explained our stance on Jerusalem which is, along with Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, a red line for us. There are no terms of division or partnership in our dictionary,” the King told the attendees.

The Monarch said there are pledges from the Israeli side and “we are waiting for what will unfold in the coming few days”.

In regards to the political situation in the region, the King reiterated Jordan’s stance supporting a political solution in Syria. 

“Jordan’s political role in the region is garnering a lot of attention,” he said, stressing his continuous “pride of and trust in the armed forces and the security apparatus”.

Royal Court Chief, Fayez Tarawneh said His Majesty gave instructions to implement several Royal initiatives that complement the government’s work in several sectors to improve the level of services provided in all camps.

Tarawneh added that these initiatives, to be implemented by the Royal Court, come after previous initiatives of a total value of JD13 million that covered development, social care, housing and youths, among others.

The Royal Court had previously established a comprehensive development centre of the Baqaa camp committee, an administrative complex for civil society organisations that services eight other organisations within the camp, a comprehensive development centre at the Hitteen camp, a multi-purpose hall for the camp of Martyr Azmi Al Mufti, and a development centre for the committee to better the services of Zarqa camp.

In regards to social care, especially for persons with disabilities (PWD), Tarawneh said the initiatives that aim to better services to centres specialised for PWDs included building a second floor for the social rehabilitation centre in the Irbid camp, an expansion of PWD rehabilitation centre and equipping it at the Martyr Azmi Al Mufti camp, the provision of games for the PWD centre at the social care centre at the Talbiah camp, and the provision of buses for PWD transportation in the same camp.

In regards to the vulnerable families’ housing project, Tarawneh stressed that the rehabilitation of 75 housing units in all camps will be supported by the Department of Palestinian Affairs.

In regards to youth, he pointed out that initiatives included establishing a five-a-side football pitch for Al Wihdah club in the Madaba camp, the rehabilitation and expansion of another similar pitch at the Jerash and Hitteen camps, and the construction of administrative buildings for the latter.

Another initiative was the creation of a public park at the Baqaa camp for the families and children of the area.

Representatives of refugee camps expressed their appreciation for the King’s keenness to meet, exchange views with them and listen to their demands. 

They offered some requests and suggestions on how to improve services to residents of camps through further cooperation with government agencies. They also stressed that national unity in the Kingdom is a cornerstone for its strength and future development.  

Adnan Asmar, one of the dignitaries, thanked the King for his constant defence for Jerusalem and its holy sites, adding that camp residents insist on their right to return, self-determination and the establishment of a Palestinian state. 

Among the demands, Hassan Marshoud, another dignitary, called for more financial support to sports clubs in refugee camps and to continue the construction of football pitches. 

Fathi Ghayadah, called for increasing the number of university seats offered to students from refugee camps and to turn scholarships into full grants. 

Representatives from Baqaa camp called for establishing a public park in the camp, which is on the northern outskirts of Amman.

AMMAN — India's President Pranab Mukherjee will begin a state visit to Jordan on Saturday during which he will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah and senior Jordanian officials to discuss ways to enhance political and economic cooperation. 

In an e-mailed interview with The Jordan Times this week, President Mukherjee noted that "bilateral ties between the two countries have been close, cordial and warm, encompassing political, trade, economy, defence and culture."

With regard to Indo-Jordanian relations, he said:  "We attach great importance to our friendship with Jordan. This year we are celebrating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. All these years, our relations have grown from strength to strength covering all fields and will be further upgraded. Trade and economy has been the hallmark of our bilateral relations with India emerging as the fourth largest trading partner for Jordan in 2014." 

"We share similar views and perceptions on regional and international issues, including Syria and the Middle East peace process. We strongly reject religious fundamentalism and extremism as well as terrorism in all forms and manifestations. Given the commonality of security concerns of both the countries, India looks forward to further strengthening cooperation in the area of security and counter-terrorism," he added. 

"Trade and investments are key drivers of this relationship.  Business to business (B2B) collaboration between the business communities of the two countries will be enhanced through the ‘India-Jordan Business Forum’. Similarly, efforts will be made to reach the trade target of $5 billion from the current $2 billion by 2025.”  

“We invite major businesses from Jordan to avail of the immense opportunities that are available in India under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.” 

“Education and research are two other areas of common interest. My delegation comprises heads of leading Indian universities and institutions who will be signing memoranda of understanding (MoU) for cooperation and collaboration with their Jordanian counterparts,” according to the president. 

Regarding economic and political areas that will be addressed during the visit, he said: “Trade and economic relations constitute the bedrock of our bilateral relations. Our bilateral trade volume reached $2.3 billion in 2013-14 and the Joint Trade and Economic Committee meeting held in March, 2015 has discussed in detail how to provide further impetus to our economic relations, especially in areas such as renewable energy, IT, transport, education, health and pharmaceuticals. On the political side, we have a convergence of views on an array of regional and international issues, including Syria, the Middle East peace process, counter-terrorism and UN reforms.”

India is the largest democracy in the world and Jordan is a model of democracy for the region. Enhancing parliamentary exchanges and cooperation will also benefit our two countries and the world, he added.

In reply to a question on trade exchange, which is now very much tilted in India’s favour, he stated: “Trade is not a zero-sum game.  India is willing to bridge the trade deficit through mutual cooperation. It is true the trade volume has shifted in favour of India since 2013.  But, India remains a major importer of rock phosphates, potash and finished fertilisers. We see Jordan as an important partner. Jordan’s strategic location can help Indian companies target regional markets. We must expand our relations to new sectors of cooperation.  Jordanian businesses must showcase their products in the Indian market by participating in major trade fairs.  We will be happy to assist Jordanian companies in this regard. I believe there exists tremendous potential to further enhance trade between our two countries. There are several agreements and MoUs in various fields which will be signed during my visit to Jordan. These will strengthen the institutional framework for cooperation in specific fields.”

On boosting cooperation in fighting terrorism and radical ideologies, he said: “I am convinced that terrorism is the biggest threat confronting the world. Countries like India and Jordan must cooperate in the fight against terrorism. India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.  We believe terrorism should be dealt with in a comprehensive manner.”

He urged an integrated approach to terror.

“Segmented and partial approaches as adopted by some of the countries have been unsuccessful in countering terrorism. Dealing with global terror requires coordinated international cooperation as well as a strengthened and enforceable international legal regime,” the president said.

Elaborating on his country’s experience in the field, he said: “India has adopted a comprehensive approach to deal with the challenge of terrorism. We have initiated a number of measures to prevent the spread of extremist ideology, plug financing routes, build domestically a counter narrative to radicalisation, strengthen laws to prosecute terrorists and forge a network of international partnerships for threat assessment and operational cooperation. The reality of global expansion of terrorism, including in Syria and Iraq and globalisation of the supply chain of terrorism is a matter of great concern to us. India has faced terrorism for almost four decades, largely sponsored from across our border. We are concerned about the spillover effects of instability in the region resulting in increased terrorist activities across the world, including in South Asia. We have also sought to challenge and repudiate the terrorist narrative that global counter-terrorism efforts are directed against any particular religion or ethnic group.” 

“We are convinced that terrorism can be rolled back only through comprehensive, coordinated international cooperation combined with a strengthened, enforceable international legal regime. The global community needs to agree to a legal framework for diminishing and eventually defeating the scourge of terrorism. India will continue to strive for achieving progress in the finalisation of the draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, proposed by us first in 1996. It will be our endeavour to see that our core concerns are addressed during the fifth biennial review of the UN’s Global Counter Terrorism Strategy scheduled in the 70th Session. It is essential to ensure that UN Counter Terrorism Mechanisms function in an objective manner and there is strict compliance by member states with the United Nations Security Council sanctions regime.”

In reply to a question on the repercussions of regional challenges on the Kingdom, especially the question of Syrian refugees, he said: “India is aware of the impact of the Syrian crisis on Jordan’s resources.  We appreciate and commend Jordan, its leadership and its people for their compassion and untiring efforts to mitigate the sufferings of the victims of the ongoing strife in Syria.  In appreciation of the Jordanian government’s efforts and in keeping with our historical, brotherly relations, the government of India has extended cash assistance of $500,000 to the government of Jordan as part of the pledge made at the 3rd Pledging Conference on Syria held in Kuwait in March, 2015. Last year, India also paid $500,000 to the Jordan Response Fund.”

With regard to the stalemate in the Middle East peace process, he said: “In line with our longstanding support to the Palestinian cause, India will continue to support initiatives at the UN for an early realisation of a sovereign, independent, viable and united state of Palestine within secured and recognised borders, side by side and at peace with Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital, as endorsed in the Arab Peace Initiative, Quartet roadmap and relevant UN resolutions. I will be travelling to Palestine and then to Israel. This is the first time ever that an Indian President is visiting Jordan, Palestine and Israel.  It is therefore a historic visit. India has always had strong and close relations with this region. My visit will reinforce these relations.” 

“India remains firm in its commitment towards the Palestinian cause, even as we pursue good relations with the State of Israel. We have called upon both sides to exercise restraint and work towards a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian issue. Apart from strong political support to the Palestinian cause at international, regional and bilateral levels, we have been providing budgetary, economic and developmental assistance,” Mukherjee told the Jordan Times.

On his visit the Indian president will be accompanied by India’s Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot, parliament members representing major political parties in India and an academic delegation which includes heads of India’s leading institutions of higher education and senior officials. 

AMMAN — A Royal Decree was issued on Wednesday naming chairman and board members of the planned public service broadcasting (PSB), an editorially independent TV channel.

Al Ghad's columnist and former Al Arab Al Yawm daily’s editor-in-chief Fahed Khitan was named as chairman of the station with Ayman Safadi, Marwan Jumaa, Nart Buran and Bassem Tweisi as board members.

The new independent TV channel will replace previous government's plans to open a third channel affiliated with the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTVC).

Noting that the new channel will offer public service broadcasting, officials have said that said the new station will be fully independent from the JRTVC. 

The third channel was supposed to broadcast youth, family and drama programmes. 

According to international media outlets and UNESCO, PSB refers to broadcasting made, financed and controlled by the public for the benefit of the public rather than for commercial interest, making it neither commercial nor state-owned.

The government will reportedly allocate JD10 million over a two-year period to fund the channel.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said in the event of continued Israeli violations against Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Haram Al Sharif, Jordan maintains legal and diplomatic options, according to a Royal Court statement.

At a meeting with members of the Muslim Council of Elders and in the presence of HRH Prince Ghazi, the King’s personal envoy and adviser for religious and cultural affairs, the King said: "We are performing our duties towards Jerusalem in all possible ways and we will not be dissuaded from doing so by regional problems and crises."

Established during Ramadan in 2014, the Muslim Council of Elders works to promote peace within Muslim communities.  

The King highlighted several challenges and methods to deal with extremists, terrorism and radicals. He also emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy and intensive coordination mechanisms among the various concerned entities to combat the dangerous phenomenon of radicalisation and to arrive at a solution to the Syrian refugee issue. 

The Monarch noted that the challenges facing the Middle East today are globalised and necessitate cooperative work at the security, military and economic levels to confront them. He stressed the need to build an international strategy against terrorism and radicalisation, safeguard Islam and address the rising trend of Islamophobia.

His Majesty told the council members that in order to achieve these goals, it is important that everyone defends the true teachings of Islam and counters “khawarej”, Islam’s religious outlaws.

The council members thanked the King for his work on boosting global and regional efforts, stressing their “respect for Al al-Bayt”, the relatives of the Prophet Mohammad and their decendants. They also thanked him for his endeavours to protect Al Aqsa Mosque and Al Haram Al Sharif, stressing the need for a unified Arab stand to confront the various challenges facing the Ummah. 

The meeting addressed various ways to boost the role of the council in dealing with regional issues and challenges facing the institution from West Africa to South East Asia, where it is involved in a mission to confront terrorism and build societies on proper ideological grounds. 

At the meeting, Grand Imam of Al Azhar Al Sharif Sheikh Ahmad Al Tayyib underscored the role of religious institutions in clarifying the true tenets of Islam. 

He expressed his great appreciation of the King’s efforts in defending Islam and in countering those who try to distort its teachings. 

The council comprises Muslim scholars, experts and dignitaries known for their being a voice of reason, sense of justice, independence and moderation, working together to promote peace, discourage infighting and address sources of conflict, divisiveness and fragmentation within Muslim communities.

AMMAN – The Russian intervention in Syria is to rescue the Assad regime from collapse and not to fight terrorists, US Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh General John Allen has said.

In an exclusive interview with The Jordan Times and Al Rai dailies on Monday, the official called on Moscow to join the international community in its commitment to a political transition in Syria as soon as possible.

Allen, who met with His Majesty King Abdullah and top military and government officials during his visit to Amman this week, said that Russian intervention has created new operational realities on the ground in Syria that have required the US to reformulate its understanding of the new reality and how to adapt to it.

Allen emphasised His Majesty’s prominent role in the battle against Daesh through ideological means, affirming that the King’s approach is embraced by coalition leaders who often quote him on the matter.

The general also iterated his admiration of Jordan, saying: “Given what is happening in the region right now, it would be difficult to overstate how important Jordan is to the entire region. It is also difficult to overstate the individual leadership role of the King who has shown us friendship and wisdom in this regard.”

Asked whether a political solution is feasible considering Russia’s role, Allen said it is difficult to see a political solution to the Syrian conflict soon but it remains the final objective because military action cannot be the solution.

He also maintained that despite Russia’s calls, the coalition will not leave Syrian airspace and will continue to target Daesh.

In regard to safe zones, the US special envoy underlined the complexity of their establishment despite the coalition’s desires to do so. Safe zones within Syria would need to be capable of receiving refugees and would require stabilising the population and maintaining the area’s defences.

Allen also emphasised the coalition’s successes in the battle against Daesh, mentioning various territorial gains and the recapturing of Tikrit. He also said that the coalition will “turn the heat up” on the terrorist group’s headquarters in Raqqa.

He reaffirmed his country’s commitment to Jordan’s security and stability, pointing out that that between 2015 and 2017 the bilateral relationship between the two countries will generate $3 billion in military and economic support to Jordan. He also expressed his country’s continued support to the Kingdom in relation to the refugee issue.

AMMAN — Media outlets in the Arab world should refrain from hate speech and shed light on how terrorist groups’ ideologies are not related to Islam, Arab media experts and officials said Wednesday.

At the conclusion of a pan-Arab conference on the role of media in confronting terrorism, participants suggested that using traditional and social media to counter terrorist groups’ campaigns and propaganda was as important to fighting terrorism as using military means.

They stressed that media outlets should not sow seeds of sedition in society or act as platforms for spreading hate and division.

Media outlets in the Arab world should intensify their efforts to clarify the true image of Islam, in contrast to the distortions created by terrorist groups, according to a copy of the recommendations issued at the conclusion of the two-day event held by the Arab League and the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

“There is a need for training media personnel on how to cover terrorist attacks in a way that does not serve terrorists and help them promote their propaganda,” the participants added in the recommendations. Feisal Shboul, director general of the Jordan News Agency, Petra, stressed the significance of the recommendations, which, he said, also called on media outlets to engage in initiatives to raise awareness among the public on how terrorist groups have nothing to do with Islam.

Shboul said that participants, who represented many Arab states, urged media outlets in the Arab world to avoid publishing biased or unsourced news and to be careful not to promote terrorists’ ideologies and acts.

AMMAN — The annual Palestinian Cultural Exhibition starts on Saturday at the Association of Jordanian Contractors in Amman.

The three-day exhibition, organised by the Palestinian Cultural Centre, aims to “reaffirm the Palestinian national identity and support education and families”, according to a statement by the organisers.

The exhibition will feature a variety of artistic works including a large collection of traditional cross-stitch embroidery, pottery from Hebron, books about Palestine in English and Arabic and posters.

Around 500 women living in Palestinian refugee camps produced the embroidery, which often features traditional nature imagery, the statement said. 

“This year continued to be an active year for the centre due to the effects of the global financial crisis, which placed a further strain on the poor,” the statement added. 

“Violent and aggressive Israeli military onslaught” in occupied Palestine increased the urgent need for aid. 

Additional highlights of the exhibition will include traditional Palestinian food and a folkloric “dabkeh” dance at 5:30pm each afternoon.

The Palestinian Cultural Centre is a nonprofit organisation established in Jordan in 1991.

It strives to preserve Palestine’s heritage and culture, to help families in the Palestinian refugee camps become economically independent and to sustain vulnerable Palestinians in their homeland and outside, according to the statement.

In addition to helping women in the refugee camps earn an income from their art, the centre’s initiatives include providing financial aid and healthcare to vulnerable families, in addition to university scholarships to Palestinians.

AMMAN — Three citizens were killed in traffic accidents on Wednesday, the day that witnessed the first rain of autumn, according to a Central Traffic Department official. 

Across the Kingdom, about 200 car accidents occurred, resulting in the deaths of three men in their 20s, according to the Traffic Department and the Civil Defence Department (CDD).

Maj. Jalal Rahahleh, director of public relations at the Central Traffic Department, told The Jordan Times that the accident that caused the death of a 28-year-old man occurred in the early morning hours in Jerash, some 48 kilometres north of Amman, while two others, in Aqaba and Balqa, caused the deaths of two young people, a woman aged 20 and a man aged 24, after midnight.

“There were 130 car collisions this morning, but the number of accidents increased, reaching 180 [by early afternoon],” Rahahleh told The Jordan Times.

The CDD statement reported car collisions in Aqaba, Balqa, Mafraq and the capital over a 24-hour period, with most accidents happening after the heavy downpour of rain.

An official from the CDD’s media office told The Jordan Times that around 80 per cent of accidents that occurred Wednesday morning had no injuries.

“To avoid further injuries and traffic disasters, we advise citizens to stick to their lanes and drive slowly,” stressed Rahahleh.

On Tuesday, the Jordan Meteorological Department had forecast a slight increase in temperatures for the end of the week, saying that they would reach about 24°C in east Amman and 21°C in west Amman.

The yearly rainfall in autumn ranges on average between 20 and 25 per cent of the whole rainfall in Jordan, according to the meteorological department.

AMMAN – Jordanian pilgrims who returned to the Kingdom and underwent medical checkups in the Kingdom did not suffer from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus, an official at the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.  

Health Ministry Spokesperson Hatem Azruie said the ministry had called on pilgrims returning to the Kingdom to visit the nearest hospital or health centre if they noticed symptoms of respiratory system diseases or high temperatures. 

“A total of 10 pilgrims who suffered from severe respiratory system cases reported to health facilities, where they were checked and tests came out negative,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone. 

The ministry official did not provide details of how many pilgrims turned to the Kingdom’s hospitals and health centres. 

Meanwhile, a new MERS case was reported on Tuesday, a 53-year-old, who apparently contracted the disease from another person who was infected with the virus. He is reported in fair condition. 

The infected person increased the total cases to 16 since the latest outbreak of corona earlier this year, nine of whom were cured and six died, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

MERS is a strain of coronavirus that was first identified in 2012 in Saudi Arabia, and is believed to have originated in camels.
Coronaviruses make up a large family of viruses that cause a range of illnesses in humans, from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). 

In 2002, SARS epidemic killed nearly 800 people globally.