Local

AMMAN — Amen FM, the radio station of the Public Security Department (PSD), has been playing an “important role” in breaking the ice between people and security personnel, according to the station’s director.

Lt. Colonel Maen Al Khasawneh said Amen FM (89.5) was launched to develop the PSD’s media outreach and to function as a communications bridge with the community out of a belief that the security system requires the presence and cooperation of the public.

Khasawneh said the idea of having an outlet like Amen FM had been in consideration since the early 1990s, when there was a two-hour PSD radio programme every morning and evening to present details related to traffic and send awareness messages. 

“On January 24, 2007, the station was officially launched as an independent media entity when it was inaugurated by His Majesty King Abdullah,” he said, noting that the King called for a new approach in media that tackles issues related to society and serves people rather than singing praise for security forces.

The station director said the project “proved successful because of the station’s credibility” in reporting news of interest to the community.

“Breaking news is immediately reported,” he added.   

But Khasawneh said Amen FM, which has 12 correspondents across the Kingdom’s governorates, is not competing with other radio stations in terms of scoops or advertising, adding that its relationship with other stations, newspapers and local TV stations is based on respect and partnership. 

“Our correspondents have a great role in communicating with local communities in the other governorates,” he added. 

“We receive stories from rural places outside the capital and other remote areas that no one can reach,” Khasawneh noted, adding that members of the local community can be important sources of news.

“Once a citizen informed us that his neighbour, who suffers from a disability, is subject to abuse and we looked into this issue and reported it, which received great attention. Sometimes people who suffer from difficulties also reach out to us and we highlight their issues on air,” he added. 

The station director noted that this two-way method of communications also encourages people to inform the station about any suspected security threats especially amidst the instability in the region.

“We have received such information and we dealt with it with the utmost secrecy, reporting it to the concerned parties.”

He noted that all staff members are from the PSD.

“In the past, there were members working at the station from outside the department, but now everyone is from the PSD. This also helps develop how PSD members deal with media representatives because they gain a better understanding of how they work.” 

Amen FM frequencies

Amman and Aqaba (89.5)

Irbid (89.7)

Maan (101.7)

Karak (89.1)

Rweished (103.4)

Ajloun and Jerash (95.1)

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday condemned the Israeli occupation authorities for denying Muslim worshippers entry to Al Aqsa Mosque and allowing Jewish extremists and settlers to storm it under the protection of their forces.

Awqaf Minister Hayel Dawood said Jordan denounces any violation of the Jerusalem mosque, which is also a clear violation of treaties and agreements between Jordan and Israel. Noting that Al Aqsa Mosque is a red line, Dawood said the Awqaf Ministry is following up on the situation.

He voiced “extreme” concern over what is going on and urged the Israeli government to respond to the warnings of the Jordanian government issued by Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications Mohammad Momani. 

AMMAN — Border Guards received 96 Syrian refugees during the past 48 hours, an army source said Thursday.

The Border Guards transferred the refugees to shelters and camps while Royal Medical Services cadres treated the injured.

AMMAN — The Romanian embassy celebrates “Romanian Language Day” on Monday. As part of the occasion, two classic Romanian movies will be screened — “Orient Express” and “Nea Marin Miliardar” — at Al Hussein Cultural Centre, starting at 5:30pm.

Participating in the event, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, are the Association of Romanian Ladies for Social Development, the Romanian-Jordanian Cultural Forum for Youth, The Jordanian-Romanian Cultural Association, the Club of Jordanian Graduates from Romanian Universities and the Jordanian Writers’ Union.

AMMAN — Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh on Thursday left for New York as the head of Jordan’s delegation at the fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament held at the UN headquarters from August 31 to September 2.

Two hundred heads and deputy heads of parliament representing 140 countries will take part in the conference, which will cover the obstacles facing peace and democracy and the need for world parliaments to take action on terrorism, refugees, racism and climate change, in addition to other major issues. 

AMMAN — HRH Princess Ghida on Thursday attended the 11th Childhood Festival organised by the Zaha Cultural Centre with the participation of several embassies.

Princess Ghida toured the festival, viewed showcased products, and watched entertainment shows for children. 

ZARQA — HRH Princess Majda Raad on Thursday received an honorary PhD in family guidance from the Hashemite University, for her humanitarian and social achievements in family care fields.

Speaking at the ceremony, Princess Majda reviewed her experience with voluntary and social work, which began 45 years ago with Palestinian refugees and orphan children in Amman.

University President Kamaliddin Bani Hani said the honorary certificate comes in appreciation for the princess’ contributions to the country.

AMMAN — The Japanese embassy, in partnership with the UN Industrial Development Organisation, on Thursday held a graduation ceremony for the beneficiaries of the project “Promoting Social Cohesion and Harmony in the Host Communities of the Syrian Refugees in Mafraq”, funded by the government of Japan, an embassy statement said.

The ceremony, held in Mafraq, was attended by Norimasa Yoshida, the economic attaché at the embassy. The Japanese government provided more than $0.5 million in funds to the project to improve host communities’ livelihood opportunities through conducting training programmes.

“I truly hope that this project will alleviate socio-economic pressures on host communities, and that this training will lay a solid foundation in improving the living conditions of vulnerable Jordanians in Mafraq,” the statement quoted Yoshida as saying. 

AMMAN — Tourism Minister Nayef Al Fayez on Thursday said the media sector is a key supporter for the tourism industry.

Nayef made his remarks during a meeting with a delegation of media professionals from the UAE and flydubai airlines.

The meeting was held by the Jordan Tourism Board to promote the Kingdom’s tourist attractions and products.

KARAK — ICT Minister Majd Shweikeh on Thursday launched work on the national fibre optic grid project for southern region, covering Karak, Tafileh, Maan and Southern Ghor.

Shweikeh said the project will link public and private institutions in the south and contribute to economic, educational, and social development, making the south a centre of economic activity.

She said the project will connect 2,500 institutions through 961 websites and establish government grids that offer Internet services to the public.

Firas Al Ghoul, the project director, said JD22 million was allocated to implement the project in the south, the tender of which was awarded to a local company.

He added that the fibre optic cables will extend over a length of 1,500 kilometres.