‘The Jordanian flag shall remain high’

His Majesty King Abdullah’s Speech from the Throne, opening the third ordinary session of the 17th Parliament on Sunday, comes as Jordan, the region and the whole world are facing immense challenges.

The King outlined some of these challenges and stressed that the Kingdom has proved to be “capable of turning challenges into opportunities” despite the turbulent regional situation and the lack of resources.

Challenges abound, but there are successes that Jordan can feel proud of and achievements it can build on.

To start with, the fact that Jordan has an elected Parliament that meets in the peacefulness of this country to discuss ongoing political and economic reforms is as an achievement in itself.

But there is no doubt that Jordanians — who are the country’s greatest asset — are more ambitious and aspire for more.

They are in agreement with their leadership on the need to maintain the country’s security and stability, forge ahead with political and economic reforms and continue the economic development.

The Jordanian people, along with their representatives in Parliament, are also in harmony with their leadership on the need to forge ahead with the comprehensive reform process, as stated in Sunday’s Speech from the Throne outlining plans and programmes for the government and the country that, first and foremost, attempt to improve the lot of citizens.

“We, therefore, place the improvement of citizens’ living conditions at the top of our priorities and at the centre of the economic projects we seek to implement,” the King told Parliament, highlighting that these projects come as part of the government’s 10-year socio-economic blueprint, which tackles means to push forward the wheel of development in various sectors.

This is done despite meagre resources, regional unrest, wave after wave of refugees, the threat of terrorism that has been shaking other countries, and which most recently struck Beirut and Paris, the continued occupation of Palestinian lands and the international economic crisis, which is still taking its toll on various parts of the world.

The King said that confronting global terrorism is a collective responsibility, but remains “in essence, our fight as Muslims against those who aim to hijack our societies and future generations”. 

He also pledged to continue the fight against terrorist groups, particularly the khawarej [outlaws of Islam] who make Muslims their primary target.

This fight, His Majesty said, will not prevent the country from going ahead with its comprehensive reform process, building on former achievements and working to improve laws governing the political process, human rights record, the business environment and all legislation that would contribute to improving the lot of the Jordanian people. 

He also said that the Kingdom will continue to support the Palestinian people and work for a political solution in Syria that involves all components of Syrian society, noting that the Kingdom continues to receive Syrian refugees despite its limited resources, while other countries with more extensive resources “have turned their backs on them”.

This fact, along with all endeavours Jordan is undertaking, demonstrates the country’s resilience and ability to counter challenges and remain strong, secure and stable, thanks to the unity of its people under their Hashemite leadership.

As His Majesty summed up his speech on Sunday, this great will is what will keep the Jordanian flag “forever high and Jordanians proud, confident and glorious”.