King, Queen attend Independence Day national celebrations

AMMAN — Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Thursday attended the national celebrations held at Raghadan Palace on the occasion of the 71st anniversary of Jordan's Independence Day, according to a Royal Court statement. 

Upon the King's arrival to the site, the artillery performed a 21-gun salute while the national anthem was played. 

During the celebration, attended by members of the Royal family, His Majesty decorated a number of achievers, including artists and entrepreneurs, along with organisations and NGOs with impressive track records in community service. 

"The Story of Independence" was presented by artist Hamad Nijim, an account of the role of the first ancestors in building the country on the basis of knowledge, enlightenment and citizenship, the statement said. 

The story outlined significant details of the Kingdom's history since its establishment, showcasing the will of Jordanians to build, progress and face challenges under the Hashemite leadership, according to the statement. 

The tale focused on the role of His Majesty in continuing on his predecessors’ path in building Jordan, stressing Jordanians’ persistence in combating extremist ideology, the statement said, adding that the story also shed light on the efforts of the youth to build and protect Jordan. 

The storytelling was accompanied by a musical piece and a film on the history of the Kingdom. 

For their part, students Jude Mbaideen and Sultan Shawabkeh presented a dialogue focusing on the dreams and ambitions of the new generation for the country’s future, namely education opportunities and technological horizons to be open to the world. 

Mbaideen and Shawabkeh said the “sky is the limit” for the dreams of the new generation, and stressed that ambitions become a reality with will, persistence and hard work. 

Achieving the ambitions of the new generation requires the help of all and belief in their dreams, they said. 

This requires youth centres to educate, raise awareness, encourage social work and invest in young energies, the two students noted, adding that young people need schools where teachers encourage their students to research and analyse, parents and preachers who teach them the love of their country, and a religion of love, peace and modesty, according to the statement. 

The duo drew a hopeful picture of their dreams for the Kingdom’s future, where achievement and construction are an ongoing process, and where opportunities are available for Jordanians in every sector, the statement added.

For her part, 8-year-old Emanne Beasha, the Jordanian who recently won the fifth season of Arabs Got Talent, sang an opera piece accompanied by an orchestra from the National Music Conservatory. This was followed by national songs performed by Jordan’s choir Dozan Wa Awtar.

Lebanese singer Samira Tawfik and Jordanian singer Zain Awad performed two national songs, which Tewfik sang in the Jordanian dialect. 

The Royal Court announced that Tawfik, a pillar in Jordan’s patriotic songs since the 1960s, was awarded King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree. 

Several other artists and singers, a group of national institutions and young Jordanians also performed during the celebration. 

The performances were accompanied by films that highlighted the achievements of institutions and young entrepreneurs who received a special recognition from His Majesty for their achievements at the national and international levels in various sectors. 

In a tweet on his personal account, His Majesty said that celebrating Independence Day with all the young talents and in the presence of creative artist Samira Tawfik made him happy, especially as they listened to the Jordanian songs that enriched national heritage