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AMMAN — The Ministry of Health has prepared an action plan for the Eid Al Adha holiday to guarantee the provision of medical services at health centres, emergency rooms and other facilities, its spokesperson Hatem Azruie announced Monday.

He said the ministry will intensify its health monitoring campaigns, in light of the increasing demand on food during the holiday, calling on food outlets to be committed to public health and safety standards.

The ministry also warned against the use of firecrackers that children play with during Eid holidays. 

AMMAN – HRH Prince Feisal on Monday said the more aid Jordan receives, the more it can help Syrian refugees as the Kingdom has been shouldering a large share of the burden despite limited resources. 

The remarks were made in an exclusive interview with Bloomberg Television that was aired Monday coinciding with United Nations International Day of Peace 2015. Prince Feisal is the founder and chairman of Generations For Peace. 

Asked by Bloomberg Television Middle East editor Elliott Gotkine on the EU’s contribution to the refugee crisis, the Prince said that the numbers of Syrian refugees Europe has to absorb now is nothing compared to the numbers absorbed by Syria’s neighbours.

“I think that the countries that are trying to play their part understand the human tragedy that has led to this influx of refugees and are trying to cope with it. But at some point in time, again, they have got to look at what resources they have available, how easy it is, and how they can better absorb. So I think there is, by and far, an acceptance that this is something that Europe needs to do for humanitarian reasons,” he added. 

Responding to a question whether it is fair to say that as a whole, Europe has not stepped up to shoulder its fair share of the responsibility, Prince Feisal said that a number of countries have tried to do their best, but Europe is a number of different countries, not all of them have the same idea, or commitment. 

"I don’t think it’s fair to try and brush all of them in the same stroke. I think that people are trying to cope the best that they can, I think that they recognise that this is a lot bigger problem than what had originally been planned for,” he said. 

On Jordan’s ability to handle the refugee crisis, Prince Feisal said there is “only so much Jordan, with its limited capabilities, can do”, adding that the international community has helped shoulder part of that burden, but with donor fatigue and other issues, and with five years into this crisis, Jordan is shouldering the burdens more and a more on its own.

In the interview, Gotkine said that for a European, they see Syrians being of a similar culture, similar religion by-and-large and same language of Jordan, and that integrating them in a country like this should be easy, asking "is it as straightforward as that?"

The Prince replied: "The real issue for us is that when you’re looking at the integration of communities, you’ve got an influx. So when you look at schooling, prior to the crisis, we had gone basically almost across the country into a one-shift programme for schools. Now we’re having to do double shifts in order to be able to deal with the number of students that are going to schools. When you look at housing, when you’re looking at… infrastructure, even the health services, all of these put a burden, and you will have some Jordanians sit there and say, what about us? Why are we spending so much money on refugees, shouldn’t we be looking after ourselves? So you do get those types of tensions that build, and it’s primarily because we have limited resources,” the Prince replied. 

Asked on contributions to the refugee crisis from Gulf states, Prince Feisal said there is always more that can be done, adding that a number of programmes and refugee camps are being funded by the Gulf states. 

"I think they are trying to help. But under the circumstances, would we say no to more help, more aid? The more we have, the more we can help these refugees with. But I don’t think it’s fair to sit there and criticise them saying that they haven’t done their part. Each country is doing the best that they can, in the way that they can. But for countries at the front line, they could always do more,” he added. 

Prince Feisal spoke about Generation For Peace, indicating that there are two major programmes. One is reduction of violence in schools implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, while the other is implemented in host communities as it aims at bringing Jordanian and Syrian children together to encourage them learn to work and play together.

AMMAN — Jordan, along with other countries, on Monday marked International Day of Peace under this year’s theme “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All”.

On this occasion, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21.

The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace among all nations and peoples. 

AMMAN — The Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) floated tenders to dig 16 wells in different areas in Wadi Araba, within the Water and Irrigation Ministry’s five-year plan to develop the area.

Water Minister Hazem Nasser said the government’s development plan would cost JD2.129 million and serve more than 15,000 citizens in Wadi Araba, around 300km south of Amman.

The wells would supply four agricultural projects in the area and assist in the implementation of other projects, Nasser added, while farmable lands would be increased by 9,000 dunums at a cost of JD22 million.

AMMAN — The Ministry of Labour on Monday cautioned against obliging any workers or employees to work during Eid Al Adha holiday without overtime pay, in accordance with the regulations of the Labour Law.

The ministry said it would carry out inspection campaigns across the Kingdom, covering restaurants, stores and shopping centres during the Eid holiday to make sure that the regulations are complied with.

The ministry asked employees who are forced to work during the holiday for no payment to report to the nearest labour office, pledging to keep their identities undisclosed.    

AMMAN — Agriculture Minister Akef Zu’bi and his Palestinian counterpart Sufian Sultan on Monday signed the minutes of the Joint Jordanian-Palestinian Higher Committee meeting, which wrapped up its session on Monday.

The meeting took place to continue to boost bilateral relations and cooperation in agricultural fields. 

AMMAN — Interior Minister Salameh Hammad on Monday said a meeting would be held soon, bringing together local experts in tribal and legal affairs to regulate tribal norms and customs to conform to law and order.

At a press conference, Hammad said the meeting would be attended the awqaf minister, chief Islamic justice, and the grand mufti of Jordan.

Its is aimed to encourage positive tribal habits and drop behaviours that do not comply with Jordanian values, traditions and religious principles.

The minister said addressing controversial tribal issues requires a certain formula agreed by all stakeholders, especially those pertaining to homicide and violence.

AMMAN — Jordan Customs Department Director General Munther Assaf on Monday said all administrative issues related to loading and unloading, as well as displaying and handling of products are all vested in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).

Assaf made his remarks after many traders complained that their wares were not cleared on time from the Aqaba Port.

He stated that customs personnel in Aqaba work under the supervision of ASEZA, so Customs Department responsibility is limited to technical procedures like estimation and categorisation. 

AMMAN  –  Some people are set to give up some of their long-standing traditions on the week leading to Eid Al Adha, Muslims’ biggest holiday. 

On the morning of the “Feast of Sacrifice” Jordanians slaughter livestock and cattle, and spend the rest of the five-day holiday visiting family and relatives, offering sweets to their guests, appearing in brand new clothes.

Wary of a season of spending and a declining purchasing power, consumers interviewed by The Jordan Times said they would prioritise essentials over Eid preparations, while commercial sector representatives forecast weaker spending.

Ayman Abbadi, a private sector employee, said that prices of sheep are expensive this year, which he said would prevent him from sacrificing as his salary would hardly cover family expenses for the rest of the month.

Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Maha Ali recently met with importers and traders of livestock, urging them to make slaughter animals available at affordable prices to consumers.

According to observers, a sacrifice sheep costs between JD160-300.

Abbadi also said he would not buy mamoul, traditional Eid cookies, and will prioritise grocery shopping due to his tightened budget.

Raed Hamada, president of the Jordan Association for Restaurants and Sweets Shops Owners (JARSSO), told The Jordan Times Sunday that many consumers might forgo Eid sweets, adding that the association expects demand to be “much” lower, compared with previous seasons. 

He said JARSSO expects a lower demand due to mounting expenses Jordanians and residents had to meet in the past months. 

Over the past two months, Jordanian households had expenses for Eid Al Fitr, which follows the holy month of Ramadan, in addition to financial costs that are usually  associated with the beginning of the school year. Students started the school year on September 1.

Hamada expects a 50 per cent decline in sweets sales over last year’s Eid Al Adha.

Amman is usually ranked in international reports as one of the most expensive cities in the region, he said.

Faten Habash, a public sector employee, said this Eid she will only buy new clothes for her youngest child due to difficult financial conditions. 

Garment Traders Association President Sultan Allan also voiced concerns of slowdown in business activity during the holiday season.

The majority of Jordanians prefer to spend on education and rent instead of buying new clothes, he said.

On complaints that prices of new clothes are getting more expensive on the domestic market, Allan blamed rising prices on customs duties and taxes.

The sector leader expected a decline in sales of up to 60 per cent this season, claiming that the garment sector has been suffering slow business for the past few years.

“Many business owners were forced to close down some branches,” he said, adding that nearly 150 stores exited the market.

AMMAN – A UN official has said that the majority of Syrian refugees in Jordan prefer to see the war end in their country and go back to their towns and villages.

At a press conference in Amman late Sunday, UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien said that through conversations with refugees at Jordan’s largest camp, Zaatari, earlier this week, he found that the top priority for families living there was the ability to one day safely return home. 

“There are of course some who are thinking whether to try to make the move to Europe but they were a small minority of people,” he added.

He noted that some refugees, who perceived their hometowns as safer have already gone back.

O’Brien described Jordan as a “crucial and strategic partner” for the international community through its work in facilitating the delivery of assistance to Syrian refugees.

“There are 630,000 Syrian refugees registered by UNHCR in Jordan and there are many more not registered living in Jordanian communities,” he said. 

He also commended the efforts exerted by the Kingdom and its people in their support of the refugees. 

“Jordan has kept its borders open for millions of people seeking sanctuary from the brutality of the war,” he said. “Syria’s neighbours are reaching the point where the rest of the world must urgently share more of the responsibility in responding to the humanitarian needs created by the Syrian crisis and support the most vulnerable people.”  

O’Brien applauded the international community, which he says has been generous in its response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria.

But despite the thanks O’Brien gave, he urged everyone to strengthen their support for Jordan and other countries who have responded to the outpour of refugees from Syria. At this rate, the supply of humanitarian aid cannot keep pace with its demand, O’Brien said. 

“The United Nations has comprehensive plans to save lives and alleviate the sufferings inside Syria and in the neighbouring countries, including Jordan,” he said. “But the needs generated by the Syrian crisis is outpacing the generous fundings we have received. Our humanitarian appeals have only received 38 per cent of the funding necessary for 2015.”