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King’s speech a call for marching forward with firm steps — commentators

By Dana Al Emam - Mar 04,2015 - Last updated at Mar 04,2015

AMMAN — Opinion leaders and politicians on Wednesday highlighted the significance of His Majesty King Abdullah’s speech in building on the country’s achievements and spreading positive vibes among Jordanians. 

Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh described the Royal speech as a “comprehensive fatherly and familial one” that addressed all segments of society.

“King Abdullah noted that none of Jordan’s accomplishments throughout history occurred during easy times,” he said, highlighting that Jordan succeeded in realising great accomplishments despite the lack of resources.

Tarawneh pointed out that “strengthening the internal front” as the key pillar of His Majesty’s remarks, adding that “unity is Jordan’s biggest capital” and is what will enable the country to stand firm against any future tests.

“The duty of Jordanians is to learn lessons from what divisions have caused to our region and to fight fiercely to protect national unity with their heads up high,” he concluded.

Al Rai columnist Samih Maaytah said the King reiterated that the fight against Daesh is one against an “enemy that harms Islam and its image”, not one against Muslims, noting that the fight against the terror group might have been an issue of controversy among some Jordanians before the murder of Jordanian pilot Muath Kasasbeh.

“His Majesty’s speech carried a message to the world that Jordan has been able to manage pressures and deal with the region’s crises over the past four years without losses,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that Jordan proved its “strength and coherence”.

Maaytah highlighted the connection the King drew between Jordanians’ loyalty to the country and their achievements, as “belonging to the country is not theoretical… it must be put to practice in order to push the wheel of development”.

“It is a call on Jordanians to be proud of their success in winning a tough battle and maintaining the country’s security and stability, and to look positively to the future,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Meanwhile, Mousa Maaytah, former minister of political reform and political activist, said the timing of the King’s remarks was “very crucial as Jordanians needed it from their leader”, adding that it “boosted Jordanians’ confidence in themselves, their country and their leader”.

“His Majesty’s speech reminded citizens that Jordan has been through many challenges and has always won,” he told The Jordan Times, citing popular reaction to Kasasbeh’s martyrdom as evidence of Jordanians’ solidarity and unity regardless of their origins or religious backgrounds.

The former minister said the Royal speech emphasised the need to “sustain the unity of the people” and that it is a call for the young generation to build on the achievements of the older generation “bearing in mind the rule of the law and what is best for the country”.

The King’s speech seeks to protect Jordanian youth from “evil forces that aim to hijack religion and the young generation”, according to Maaytah, who added that the evil forces “do not scare Jordanians”, a matter that His Majesty made clear in his previous speeches and meetings.

The next phase will not be easy, but it is an opportunity for Jordanians to shape the future, said Secretary General of the National Current Party Saleh Irsheidat, who added that the Royal speech urged Jordanians to be patient and persistent on the road of reform.

“The future needs sacrifices and further efforts to entrench the people’s trust in their leadership,” he told The Jordan Times, adding that King Abdullah addressed Jordanians’ psyches, which he understands very well.

Irsheidat noted that the speech depicts how Jordanians should build the future in partnership with the country’s leadership, stressing that Jordan’s decision to fight Daesh is part of its “pivotal” role in the region.

“Jordanians are asked to nourish their solidarity and strength against whatever the future brings to the Kingdom and the region,” he concluded.

The Royal speech discussed several “crucial and fateful” issues, especially because it underscored the need for Jordanians to stand firm together, according to Musa Shteiwi, director of the University of Jordan’s Centre for Strategic Studies.

“The King acknowledged the contributions of Jordanians in building the country and achieving its successes…” he said.

Furthermore, the King declared he is aware of the challenges Jordanians face and the burdens they shoulder, as he emphasised the need for continuous work to develop society, especially the young generation and solve their problems, he said. 

According to the centre’s surveys, almost 100 per cent of Jordanians take pride in belonging to this country, a matter that His Majesty highlighted as the vehicle to push the Kingdom’s development process forward, Shteiwi noted. 

He concluded that the King’s address to the “Jordanian family” left a “very good impression”. 

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