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Your actions are the best expression of loyalty to this country, Queen tells Maan women activists

Charity organisation works with vulnerable segments in southern governorate to resolve social issues

By JT - Nov 09,2016 - Last updated at Nov 09,2016

Her Majesty Queen Rania meets with women activists from Maan in Amman on Wednesday (Photo courtesy of Royal Court)

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania met on Wednesday with a group of women actively engaged in social empowerment projects in the southern governorate of Maan to learn about their ongoing projects and challenges.

The activists and volunteers, who are members of Al Anwar Charity Organisation for Women, told Her Majesty that the charity was established in 2010 to address issues residents in Maan, 220km south of Amman, face as a result of difficult economic and social conditions, according to a statement from the Queen’s office. 

The charity’s president, Lana Krishan, told Queen Rania that with only 50 members, the charity’s family counselling centre, established in 2012 through partnerships with the Jordan River Foundation and the National Council for Family Affairs, has dealt with around 7,000 cases.

The centre provides psychosocial support, workshops and lectures to address a variety of social issues, as well as economic empowerment projects to its beneficiaries.

Krishan said the centre has also provided counselling and support to 60 families whose sons left them for Syria to join extremist groups like Daesh. 

According to charity’s president, the centre’s activities are in line with HRH Crown Prince Hussein’s initiative on youth’s role in building peace and fighting terrorism and extremism.

The centre also provides awareness sessions on the importance of education and healthy parenting to prevent children from falling victim to recruitment by extremists, according to the statement.

The Queen commended the women on their efforts to help their families and communities, explaining that social stability stems from the stability of the home. 

“I am very relieved when I see women like you, because you are present on the ground and aware of the needs of your communities. You feel people’s pain and know the solutions to their woes. You are leaders, so do not underestimate the power of what you are doing,” Her Majesty told the women. 

Quoting His Majesty King Abdullah, Queen Rania added: “Love for one’s country isn’t expressed with words. It’s done with actions, and your actions are the best expression of loyalty to this country.”

Additionally, the charity is also helping non-Jordanians living in Maan, which has a population of around 144,083, according to the 2015 census. 

Psychologist Lubna Musa told Her Majesty that the charity has implemented protection projects to integrate 13,000 Syrian refugees living in Maan into society, and alleviate the widespread problem of child labour among them.

The women meeting Her Majesty also included the charity’s vice president, Myasar Khawaldeh, Treasurer Aisha Mashaalah, administrative board member Bayan Taher, psychologist Nuha Hamadeen and researcher in the economic empowerment unit, Dima Jamal.

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