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AMMAN — The Arab Thought Forum (ATF) on Tuesday issued a publication compiling its dialogue sessions of the Royal discussion papers authored by His Majesty King Abdullah, under the patronage of HRH Prince Hassan, the forum's president.

The book, based on 17 sessions of intensive research and analysis of the papers' content, discusses building democracy, developing the democratic system, the role of parties involved in political action, democratic empowerment and effective citizenship, successful democratic transformation and deepening democratic transformation.

Speaking at the launching event, Prince Hassan said embracing dialogue that respects diversity of opinions and identifies national and regional commonalities is crucial for the progress and the future of the nation, citing the discussion papers as “stimulators of thinking and dialogue”.

He highlighted that the five discussion papers, which came in harmony with the political reform process in Jordan, as a road map that guides the country's decision makers to reform, adding that systematic reform has to be inclusive of the political, socio-economic and civil society aspects. 

These three elements combined trigger free public will and societal enlightenment, he added, noting that all ATF dialogue sessions witnessed active discussions.

For his side, the forum's Secretary General Mohammad Abu Hammour said the book is an "intellectual reference" that resulted from a free and constructive dialogue on the discussion papers that aim for expanding the reform dialogue to the national level.

"The papers are based on three pillars; gradual deepening of parliamentary governments under constitutional monarchy, which is supported by public participation and active citizenship," he said.

Despite the surrounding regional changes, Jordan is able to create its own democratic model on a solid base and a renewable spirit, Abu Hammour said, adding that the Royal discussion papers are an example of "unprecedented" dialogue between a monarch and his people from all walks of life.

Faisal Fayez, first deputy Senate president said the legislative amendments that His Majesty carried out, including the formation of the Independent Elections Commission and the Constitutional Court, further enhanced the independence of the three branches of government and the Integrity Charter.

He said the five discussion papers have bridged the gap between the state and the popular forces regarding reform, adding that representatives of all political and societal entities contributed to the dialogue.

Lower House Deputy Speaker Ahmad Safadi said the discussion papers encourage citizens to think critically of local affair, adding that the purpose of the papers is for all individuals, political parties as well as legislative and executive bodies to commit to their roles in the democratic transformation process.

Meanwhile, Taher Masri, former prime minister, said the Royal vision embodied in the papers establish for a "comprehensive qualitative national project" that depicts the requirements of the modern state that is capable of keeping up with evolution, yet preserves its national and religious constants.

For his side, Sabri Rbeihat, a former culture minister, said each of the 17 sessions included three main speakers from the right, central and left political movements to insure inclusiveness, adding that an academic personality moderated the discussions that were later documented and analysed.  

AMMAN — HRH Princess Basma, chairperson of the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW), on Tuesday affirmed the importance of creating an enabling environment to help the commission carry out its mandate effectively.

The princess made the remarks during the JNCWs second meeting with newly appointed executive board members that come from civil society organisations and ministers of relevant governmental entities.

Board discussions included ways in which the Ministry of Labour can partner with the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development to enhance the participation of women in the labour market.

JNCW Secretary-General Salma Nims shed light on the experience of women from other countries in the region, which have many commonalities with Jordan and which demonstrate strong political will to see women progress and get empowered.

Nims said that “a simple comparison of national mechanisms in neighbouring countries reveals that we still lag behind, as they have secured the necessary legal framework and financial resources that greatly outnumber what JNCW receives”.

She also said that “limited resources and the absence of the needed institutional frameworks that empower JNCW continue to limit its abilities to effectively influence policies, legislation and programmes to ensure the mainstreaming of gender within the development agenda, and the protection of women from discrimination and violence”.

The JNCW presented main areas that the commission is currently working on, including a recently launched project with UN women that aims to enhance women’s participation in professional associations and local councils, as well as efforts to activate the committees within the Network Against Violence Against Women “Shamaa”.

The commission also discussed its recent collaboration with the Washington-based Inclusive Security Institute, to contribute to the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1325, which addresses women’s participation in security and peacemaking, in addition to its continuous efforts in support of mainstreaming gender in government planning processes with focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

The 2030 SDGs will be adopted by world leaders at the UN General Assembly at the end of this month.

At the end of the meeting, members approved the JNCW plan of action and budget for 2016, to be submitted to the Directorate of General Budget this month.

Members also stressed on the need to consolidate efforts, ensuring JNCW has access to necessary resources and expertise to achieve its goals.

AMMAN –– The recent weather conditions have unveiled the “poor” preparedness of a large number of schools across the Kingdom and “lack of decision making skills in education directorates”, according to the Jordan Teachers Association (JTA). 

On Tuesday, the Education Ministry delegated directors of education department across Jordan to decide whether to suspend classes in schools depending on the prevailing weather conditions. 

“This announcement, which was already late, did not prompt education directors to take a decision immediately and left teachers, students and parents waiting all Tuesday to know if classes would go as usual on Wednesday or they would be suspended,” said JTA Spokesperson Ayman Okour. 

“This has created a state of chaos in schools, having some of the students coming and some staying home,” he told The Jordan Times on Wednesday. 

Moreover, he noted that the syndicate has received complaints on the preparations of schools in such extraordinary weather, which “jeopardised the safety of students”.

According to Okour, most of the classrooms lack fans, making it hard to close down windows, especially in very-hot regions in the country. 

“In addition, schools are not equipped with emergency toolkits for students with asthma and other types of allergy, who are prone to breathing difficulties even in normal weather,” said the spokesperson, who cited a number of classrooms with broken windows. 

He also noted that the Education Ministry did not designate hotlines to receive emergencies at schools, “but left them to deal with the situation on their own”.

The Jordan Times could not reach officials at the ministry despite several attempts to contact them to comment on the issue.

AMMAN –– The “unusual” weather conditions witnessed in several countries in the region, including Jordan, during the past couple of days are attributed to a “rare” metrological phenomenon which forecasters were unable to foresee, according to experts.

The dense standstorm caused at least five deaths in the region and breathing problems in hundreds of cases, according to media reports. 

“The Kingdom is witnessing an extraordinary dusty weather during this time of the year due to a thermal low that occurred in a very dry desert between east Syria and west Iraq accompanied by strong winds. This caused a huge standstorm that swept towards Syria,” said Rami Obeid, a meteorologist at the ArabianWeather.Com.

He explained that a thermal low, or heat low, is a surface low pressure that occurs in warm seasons when an air mass warms up, causing a surface low pressure.

“Due to the very high temperatures and the nature of the area, a low air mass has led to the formation of a huge sandstorm that began to move slowly towards the south and southwest by the wind,” said Obeid.  

“Unlike depressions, forecasters cannot detect the phenomenon beforehand. It was very intense and rare that we did not see it coming,” he told The Jordan Times on Wednesday. 

The effects of the sandstorm will start dissipating as of Wednesday after hitting Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Cyprus and Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia.

Affecting several parts of Jordan, the sandstorm prompted hundreds of schools to close down on Wednesday after the Education Ministry delegated its directors across the Kingdom to decide whether to suspend classes, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.

No fatalities were reported in Jordan, but the Civil Defence Department (CDD) dealt with a total of 390 cases of breathing difficulties and respiratory problems.

“We expect the number of patients who headed to hospitals due to the weather to be more, but those are the ones we transported via our ambulances,” a source from the CDD media division told The Jordan Times.

“No major incidents were reported due to the weather, on the contrary, today was unexpectedly normal under such weather conditions,”  a source from the CDD media division told The Jordan Times, noting that most of the cases the department staff handled suffered from other chronic diseases, such as allergy and asthma.

Zahiah Naasan, corporate communications director at the Queen Alia International Airport, said operations also went as normal on Wednesday with no delays or diversions. 

The Jordan Metrological Department said temperatures are forecast to increase in the coming two days due to the effect of a seasonal depression originating in the Indian subcontinent.

Temperatures in Amman will range between 38ºC and 25ºC on Thursday and Friday.

According to the Associated Press, Egyptian authorities closed down four ports in the Suez governorate on Wednesday because of poor visibility blamed on the sandstorm.

AMMAN — HRH Prince Raad, the Regent and Chief Chamberlain, on Wednesday visited the Civil Defence Department (CDD) to check on the progress of work and the services offered to the public.

The prince was briefed by CDD Director General Lt. Gen.

Talal Kofahi on the advanced level of training the department’s cadres receive to ensure quality field performance.

AMMAN — Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood on Wednesday said the first official caravan of pilgrims going to Hajj (the greater pilgrimage) would set off on Friday.

Dawood said small groups departed starting Wednesday but the larger ones will start the faith journey on Friday and Saturday.

He also said necessary preparations were in place, including housing, transportation, and other Hajj-related measures.

AMMAN — Lower House's energy and foreign affairs committees on Wednesday held a meeting with an Estonian parliamentary delegation headed by MP Bassam Manasir and discussed issues of mutual interest.

Manasir said Jordan is a hub for economic investments and tourist destination, and stressed the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation.

Jamal Gammoh, head of the Lower House’s Energy Committee underlined the importance of a project being implemented by an Estonian energy company that is working in Jordan to generate electricity through burning oil shale.

According to Gammoh, such projects are important because they create job opportunities and increase the capacity of the electricity grid. 

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Wednesday met with mayors of Northern, Central and Southern Jordan Vallley, and discussed the needs of municipalities and their services.

The meeting was attended by Municipal Affairs Minister Walid Masri, the Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour, and a number of MPs.

The speaker stressed the importance of coordination among stakeholders, especially farmers. Attendees agreed to form a technical specialised committee from the Municipal Affairs Ministry, the JVA, The Department of Lands and Survey and mayors from concerned municipalities, in order to conduct a two-month study on the current situation of the Jordan Valley to base future development decisions on it.

AMMAN — The Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army (JAF) on Wednesday foiled an infiltration attempt by a pickup truck through the Jordanian-Syrian border, according to an army source.

The guards responded to the situation in line with the rules of engagement followed in such cases, resulting in the destruction of the vehicle while the infiltrators escaped, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the source as saying.

The sources added that narcotic pills and ammunition were found in the vehicle. 

AMMAN — The Industry, Trade, and Supply Ministry on Wednesday called on livestock merchants to show clear prices when the public buy sacrifices for Eid Al Adha.

The ministry also asked the Greater Amman Municipality and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs to provide it with the designated stockyards to sell livestock, in order to monitor them, in a way that can increase competitiveness and reduce prices.

According to relevant institutions’ data, the ministry estimates the current number of imported sheep at around 450,000 heads and can reach 650,000 heads by the beginning of Eid Al Adha, while there are around 200,000 heads of local sheep.