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AMMAN — The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and Bab Al Qamar Company on Monday signed an agreement to develop services presented by yellow taxi cabs within the capital, through providing communication and tracking systems that enable passengers to order taxis.

Amman Mayor Yousef Shawarbeh referred to GAM’s role in developing the public transport sector and improving services, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Abdullah Ayesh, company manager, said that developing these services will benefit drivers and passengers alike, saving time, effort and cost. Abdul Rahim Wreikat, director of the public transport department at GAM, said that the company will start its operations three months after signing the agreement, adding that the number of taxis that offer this service will increase to 8,000 vehicles, affiliated with two companies. 

AMMAN — Two women on Monday died in a car accident in Mafraq Road in the North-East Jordan Valley, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted a police statement.

The two 70-year-old women were transferred to the Northern Jordan Valley Hospital; one was pronounced dead on arrival, while the other was provided with medical aid before eventually succumbing to “severe” injuries, according to the statement. 

AMMAN —  The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Monday launched a project for supporting vulnerable Syrian and Jordanian families, funded with 1 million dollars from the Japanese government.

The project, implemented by the FAO office in Jordan in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Research Centre, targets 500 Jordanian and Syrian families in Irbid, Mafraq and Zarqa, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The project aims to improve the living standards of the chosen families through integrating technologies into the agricultural and industrial sectors, in addition to launching and small- and medium-sized enterprises, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said.

AMMAN — Justice Minister Awad Abu Jarad on Monday received his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Trochani, who is currently visiting Jordan to discuss means of enhancing cooperation in the judicial and legal fields between the two countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the meeting, Abu Jarad said that Jordan supports efforts to achieve security and stability in the region, stressing the importance of enhancing joint cooperation to counter common challenges.

He also said that the Kingdom has already joined many countries in ratifying the United Nations Conventions against terrorism, and other accords to counter cross-border crimes. 

AMMAN — Rusaifa police have arrested two individuals who appeared in a video showing a group of individuals attacking a shop, with one suspect shown in possession of a weapon, the Jordan News Agency Petra, reported.

A Public Security Department (PSD) statement said that PSD personnel who followed-up on a tip on an alleged attack arrived to find no perpetrators, with the shop owner denying any incident.

After investigating the video, officers arrested two suspects and summoned the shop owner, who refused to provide any information. The statement said that the case will be referred to the courts while the search remains ongoing for other suspects. 

DHAHRAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said it was necessary to reaffirm the eternal rights of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians to Jerusalem as a key to peace in the region, urging continued support for the Palestinians to realise their legitimate right to independent statehood.

His Majesty said that Jerusalem is the cornerstone for a comprehensive solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the June 14, 1967 line with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative.

"Our Palestinian brothers seek peace, and their commitment to the two-state solution and rejecting violence is an unequivocal testament to their unwavering commitment to peace," His Majesty said at the opening of the 29th Arab Summit, which was attended by the heads of 16 Arab states and high-ranking officials from the remaining Arab states (See official translation of full speech).

"It is our collective duty to stand with them and to support their steadfastness in their struggle to gain their legitimate rights to independent statehood, and to living in peace and security," said the King during the summit, which was attended by representatives of the EU and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

King Abdullah stressed on the need to enable the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to continue providing humanitarian and social services to refugees until a just solution is reached.

The King warned that any obstruction of the vital services of UNRWA would negatively impact over 5 million Palestinian refugees in the region.

Stressing that the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem is “a historical duty and responsibility that we are proud to carry”, King Abdullah said: “We will persevere in upholding this responsibility, in coordination with our brothers at the Palestinian National Authority and with your support.”

His Majesty said Jordan would continue strengthening the resolve of Jerusalemites and counter any attempts to change the identity of the holy city, impose new facts on the ground or change the historical and legal status quo.

In his address, King Abdullah congratulated Iraq for its victory over the Daesh terrorist group and reaffirmed support for the neighbouring country in defeating the khawarej, or outlaws of Islam. 

On Syria, King Abdullah said Jordan supports all initiatives to push the political process forward and ensure de-escalation on the ground as part of the ongoing pursuit of an inclusive political solution that involves all components of the Syrian people, maintains the territorial integrity of Syria and guarantees the safety of its citizens and the return of refugees.

King Abdullah stressed his commitment to good neighbourly relations, adding that the shared regional interests require countering any attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of Arab states, instigate strife and sectarian conflict or threaten regional security in any shape or form.

His Majesty said that Arab states must escalate diplomatic efforts with all regional and international organisations to take on the mounting challenges facing the Arab world.

“We stress the importance of devising a comprehensive action plan to bolster cooperation and coordination with these organisations,” said the King.

Addressing the summit, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud announced that Saudi Arabia will donate $150 million to support the Islamic Awqaf in Jerusalem.

The Saudi king said the 29th summit would be dubbed “Jerusalem Summit”.

He also announced that Saudi Arabia would donate $50 million to UNRWA.

The monarch said that the Palestinian issue will remain the top issue for the Arabs until the legitimate rights of the Palestinians are realised.

Renewing rejection of US President Donald Trump’s decision on Jerusalem, the Saudi King stressed that East Jerusalem is an inseparable part of Palestine.

The Saudi King emphasised commitment to the unity and sovereignty of Yemen and its independence, holding the Iran-backed Houthi militia accountable for the eruption and the continuation of the crisis in Yemen.

King Salman said the threat of terrorism is the most serious challenge facing the world.

In this regard, he renewed strong condemnation of Iran’s “terrorist acts” in the Arab world and meddling in its internal affairs.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Arab League secretary general, said the Palestinian issue, which remains the Arabs’ central issue, witnessed a major setback following the US’ decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

However, he said the Arabs were able to lobby for an international stance that rejects the US move.

“But more political and financial support is needed to empower the Palestinians and support their steadfastness to face all schemes that seek to liquidate their issue and undermine their legitimate rights in freedom and statehood,” Aboul Gheit said in his address at the summit.

During the summit, Jordan submitted a report highlighting its achievements during the presidency of the 28th Arab summit.

The document highlighted Jordan’s efforts and activities to address various challenges and issues in the region including the Palestinian cause.

It also underlined Jordan’s efforts to encounter all unilateral Israeli measures seeking to alter the situation on the ground and undermine the two-state solution, including the illegal settlement activities and the confiscation of lands, according to the report.

The report also pointed out His Majesty King Abdullah’s intensive contacts at all levels to stress that the Arab Peace Initiative is vital to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

 The report also highlighted Jordan’s efforts to address several other issues, including the Syrian crisis, where Jordan succeeded in reaching a deal with the US and Russia to create a de-escalation zone in the south of Syria, paving the way for a political solution, and making aid delivery to Syria an easier job.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday, on the sidelines of the Arab summit in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, met with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini over strategic cooperation and partnership relations between the Kingdom and the union. 

The meeting focused on Middle East crises and the latest developments in Syria, with King Abdullah and Mogherini urging a political solution that preserves Syria’s territorial integrity and unity of its people, according to a Royal Court statement.

They also reviewed updates on the peace process and underlined the need to intensify international efforts to resume serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, based on the two-state solution, in a way that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

The meeting addressed burdens placed by the Syrian refugee influx on the Kingdom’s economy and its already limited resources, as well as regional and international efforts exerted on the war on terrorism within a holistic approach. 

In a separate meeting, His Majesty discussed with Lebanese President Michel Aoun bilateral relations and regional developments.

The King stressed Jordan’s support for Lebanon’s efforts to preserve its national integration, stability and sovereignty.

The meeting also covered repercussions of the Syrian refugee crisis and the need for more international support for the host countries. 

His Majesty also held a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, during which he stressed Jordan’s keenness on enhancing Jordanian-Lebanese cooperation, especially in economic and trade fields. 

King Abdullah also met with Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Al Sarraj over the Kingdom’s support for Libya to bring about stability and security and rebuild the country’s institutions.

AMMAN — A blind woman is helping other people with visual impairment integrate socially and academically by teaching them Braille (a reading and writing system that uses touch to decipher raised dots on paper representing the letters of the alphabet).

Born blind, Sara Abu Ali, 23, strongly believes that people with visual impairments who do not learn Braille in early childhood stages are less likely to integrate in public schools and to perform well academically. 

“There are a few schools specifically for blind people in Jordan, but not all families are financially capable of sending their kids there. So parents tend to send their kids to public schools where they do not receive any Braille literacy education,” Abu Ali told The Jordan Times. 

Although the Ministry of Education’s curriculum is available in Braille for all grades, students do not necessarily know how to read Braille, therefore facing many challenges in their studies, the founder of the “Lughatna Gheir” initiative said. 

She launched the initiative in February 2018 with a first group of learners who are not only blind but also suffer from learning difficulties. 

People with disability represent 13 per cent of the Jordanian population, with only 21 per cent of them receiving education, the Higher Council for the Affairs of People with Disabilities’ Director of Integrative Education Department Lubna Ajlouni told The Jordan Times, noting that no specific study or figure exists on the number of people with visual disability in the Kingdom.

Regionally, blind people constitute 4 per cent of the Middle East population, while 8.7 per cent are visually impaired, president of the Jordanian Ophthalmological Society Samir Mulki said. 

Abu Ali is currently teaching six blind students from Abdullah Ibn Um Maktoum School for the Blind in Amman aged between 7 and 10 years old, who come from underprivileged areas to learn Braille literacy.

The students’ academic performance and social skills have greatly improved in a “relatively short time” since Abu Ali started giving those lessons, teacher Alia Massaeed recalled. 

 “The kids enjoy the time they spend outside the school, she understands them and their needs… she gives children the opportunity to playfully explore reading and writing. One of the students who used to be shy and antisocial has started talking and engages more in classroom activities,” she rejoiced. 

The initiative is sponsored by Bab Al Khair organisation, which provides a lecture room for Abu Ali to give her classes. 

Abu Ali now intends to expand her initiative to reach more students, with plans to expand it to deaf and mute people through sign language. She said it is one the many steps to be taken to better integrate people with disability in society.

The following is the official translation of His Majesty King Abdullah’s speech at the opening of the 29th Ordinary Session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Summit level on April 15, 2018, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate,

Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad,

My brother, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz,

Your Majesties, Highnesses, Excellencies,

Your Excellency, Secretary General of the League of Arab States,

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

It is my pleasure to express my deep appreciation to my brother, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the gracious hospitality and the warm welcome.

I also thank His Excellency Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the staff of the Arab League for their efforts during the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s presidency of the 28th Arab summit, and their work to follow up on its decisions and recommendations.

Last year, we had the honour and the responsibility of assuming the presidency of the Arab Summit. We reaffirmed the need to bolster and activate joint Arab action, and adopted comprehensive and lasting peace as a strategic Arab option — in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

During our presidency, we exerted all possible efforts, in direct, close coordination with our brethren, Arab leaders, to meet the historical challenges facing our Ummah. Working jointly, we harnessed all our capabilities and international ties in the service of the just causes of our Ummah, foremost of which are the Palestinian cause and the holy city of Jerusalem.

My brothers,

distinguished guests

We must reaffirm the eternal rights of Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims and Christians to Jerusalem, which is the key to peace in the region and must be the cornerstone for achieving a comprehensive solution that guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Our Palestinian brothers seek peace, and their commitment to the two-state solution and to rejecting violence is an unequivocal testament to their unwavering commitment to peace. It is our collective duty to stand with them and to support their steadfastness in their struggle to gain their legitimate rights to independent statehood, and to living in peace and security.

It is our duty and our shared responsibility as an Arab group, and it is the duty of the international community to provide the necessary support for Palestinian refugees, and to work towards enabling the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to continue to provide its humanitarian and social services until a fair and just solution is reached to the cause of refugees. Any obstruction of the vital services of UNRWA will negatively impact over 5 million Palestinian refugees in the region.

Second, the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem is a historical duty and responsibility that we are proud to carry. We will persevere in upholding this responsibility, in coordination with our brothers at the Palestinian National Authority and with your support. And we will continue strengthening the resolve of Jerusalemites and counter any attempts to change the identity of the holy city, impose new facts on the ground, or change the historical and legal status quo.

Third, we must salute and commend our brothers in Iraq for the positive developments and their victory over the Daesh terrorist group. We congratulate them and affirm our support for them in defeating the khawarej. We also stress the importance of building on this military victory through an inclusive political process.

Fourth, with regards to the Syrian crisis, we have supported all initiatives to push the political process forward and ensure de-escalation on the ground — such as the Astana, Vienna, and Sochi talks — as part of the ongoing pursuit of a political solution that involves all components of the Syrian people, maintains the territorial integrity of Syria and guarantees the safety of its citizens and the return of refugees. We have affirmed that these efforts support the Geneva track, and do not replace it.

Fifth, we reaffirm our commitment to good neighbourly relations, and we believe that shared regional interests require countering any attempts to intervene in the internal affairs of Arab states, instigate strife and sectarian conflict or threaten their security in any shape or form.

Sixth, our Arab group must step up diplomatic efforts with all regional and international organisations to take on the mounting challenges facing our Arab world. And we stress the importance of devising a comprehensive action plan to bolster cooperation and coordination with these organisations.

Finally, I hereby announce the conclusion of the 28th Arab summit, and it is my pleasure to invite my brother Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman Bin Abdulaziz to assume the presidency of the 29th Arab summit, wishing him success in serving the causes of our Arab Ummah and in fulfilling its aspirations.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Sunday visited the Sweileh Secondary School for Girls to support the efforts and activities of a new campaign to fight bullying in schools, a statement by Her Majesty’s Office said.

“Say No to Bullying” was launched by Jordanian composer and singer, Aziz Maraka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Madrasati, an initiative launched by Her Majesty in 2008 to improve learning environments in Jordanian public schools. The campaign addresses the issue of bullying in schools and offers innovative solutions to curb its prevalence.

Her Majesty was welcomed by school principal, Mervat Khatatneh, and Madrasati Director Tala Sweis, where she began her visit by listening to a discussion on combating bullying.

The workshop, which was facilitated by Madrasati and attended by a group of students from different grades, tackled the root causes of bullying, its detrimental effects on its victims, and measures to prevent it. It also addressed the equally dangerous problem of cyber bullying and its modern-day pervasiveness.

Speaking at the workshop, Her Majesty stressed the importance of fighting bullying in its many forms, including cyber bullying. She explained that cyber bullying is one of the most dangerous forms of bullying due to the anonymity of perpetrators, who hide behind a screen, and the liberty this grants them to partake in various kinds of abuse and harassment.

Her Majesty additionally warned of the wide distribution of photos and videos through social media that show students being victimised and bullied, which can hurt them and their families, and go as far as causing depression, frustration, and even suicide.   

Her Majesty watched 50 students participate in a hands-on activity to design a visual tool for raising awareness about bullying through different forms of expression such as painting, origami, rapping, caricature drawing, and storytelling through pictures. 

The Queen also chatted with a number of students about their views on bullying.

The highlight of the campaign’s activities was a concert held by Maraka at the school playground, where he talked about the importance of fighting bullying, and performed some of his most popular songs.

Singing against the backdrop of the pledge-wall designed in partnership with Madrasati as a way for students to reject bullying by stamping their handprints on it, Maraka performed “Wagif”, a song he specifically composed for the campaign.

The “Say No to Bullying” campaign comprises a concert tour by Maraka taking him to 10 private and 2 public schools across Jordan in order to develop the campaign into a yearly platform and leverage it as a pop-culture arm for disseminating messages and raising awareness about social issues.

The pop-up concerts in each school are funded by Orange, Toyota, and Careem.

Founded in 1951 the Sweileh Secondary School for Girls, which was revamped by Madrasati in 2008, also welcomed 95 students from the Safout Secondary School for Girls from seventh and eighth grades to the event.