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AMMAN — Studies and excavations on Irbid Governorate’s Bait Ras tomb revealed that the archaeological site is "unique on a regional level", featuring Greek and Aramaic inscriptions and many frescoes, archaeologists said on Tuesday.

The Bait Ras tomb happened to be "virtually intact", the archaeologists said, indicating that it dates back to the Roman period, specifically in the period from 1st-3rd century AD.

The Jordan Department of Antiquities (DoA) and the USAID’s Sustainable Cultural Heritage Through Engagement of Local Communities Project (SCHEP) shared the Bait Ras tomb project’s initial findings and future plans during a ceremony at the site of the tomb.

Discovered by sheer accident in November 2011, the tomb’s walls are covered with elaborate paintings and inscriptions of significant historical value, DoA General Director Monther Jamhawi said.

“The findings are interesting and important. The tomb is unique in the region due to its size and the number of frescoes covering its walls,” Jamhawi told The Jordan Times over the phone.

He noted that the tomb, which stretches over 60 sq.m, has undergone extensive documentation, conservation and scientific studying by a large multinational team of experts from Jordan, Italy, France and the US.

"The Bayt Ras Tomb Project is unique as it represents a strategic partnership between the DoA and international institutions with more than 20 specialists in the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage, especially in wall paintings and inscriptions," Jamhawi underscored.

The tomb was a burial place for a Roman dignitary, he said, highlighting that inscriptions show that the dead was admired by society and of a high social status.

“Studies will continue to reveal more findings and, once work is complete, the site will be added to the trail of archaeological sites in the area,” Jamhawi highlighted.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab stressed the importance of the archaeological finding, saying “the discovery of the tomb will boost the country’s image and enrich the experience of tourists in Irbid”.

Meanwhile, Bayt Ras Tomb project coordinator Jehad Haron said that the discovery of the tomb sheds light on a significant period of Jordanian history during the Roman era, especially since it contains 52 Greek and Aramaic inscriptions and dozens of frescoes with accurate details that were not mentioned before in historical records.

SCHEP involved local community members in every step of the process, training 25 persons from the Irbid DoA staff and university graduates in the field of conservation and restoration of archaeological monuments, according to the statement.

A team of experts from the Higher Institute for Conservation and Restoration in Rome, the French National Scientific Research Centre and the Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research were also involved in the project.

Barbra Porter, director of the American Centre for Oriental Research said that, when such important Roman remains were discovered by chance, preservation can be difficult, noting that the team and the community managed to overcome many difficulties and protect the site through the support of the local community and its cooperation with the partners in the project

"This is why we are happy to implement such projects and create jobs for the community,” Porter said in a statement, noting that USAID SCHEP is dedicated to economic and community development through cultural heritage preservation and education in underserved communities across Jordan.

AMMAN — Documentaries have a very important role in times of war and crisis, but they sometimes overlook individual stories, Syrian Hiba Hmaidy said. 

The aspiring filmmaker made her remarks during the screening of "Syrian Stories", an anthology of 11 short documentary films at Rainbow Theatre in Amman on Monday. 

Born in Aleppo, Hmaidy teamed up with another young Syrian filmmaker, Mohammad Labbad, with whom she made a documentary about her father, a Syrian military man who defected from the national army. 

Hmaidy said she managed to tell the story thanks to training she received after she moved to Jordan. 

 “If I had stayed in Syria I would not have had the chance to reach this level. Moving to Jordan really changed my life and gave me the chance to achieve something through this film,” the 28-year-old girl told The Jordan Times ahead of the screening.

Noe Mendelle, director of the Scottish Documentary Institute, said the 11 movies came as the result of a project conducted in collaboration with The British Council and Bidayyat for Audiovisual Arts, a Syrian organisation for Syrian filmmakers outside Syria.

“The three organisations came together last year to establish a project to help young, talented Syrian filmmakers living outside yet close to Syria,” she explained, noting that the project included three workshops held in Amman, Beirut, and Istanbul, benefiting a total of 35 Syrian filmmakers.  

“The workshop is really about teaching creative documentary, which for us is about telling human stories. But people should remember that telling stories does not mean giving general facts or opinions, it is about shedding light on individual stories,” Mendelle added.

Mohammad Abdullah, one of the Syrian filmmakers showcased, worked with fellow Syrian participants in creating a film called “Waiting”. 

 “We chose a friend of ours who is a photojournalist who was injured when he was targeted in an air strike back in Syria. He is the hero of my movie as we focus on his character's wait for recovery and his determination to simply continue living,” he told The Jordan Times.

Abdullah recalled how the crew filmed the movie in one day, editing it the following day.

Mohammad Masalmah, a two- year-old Syrian from Daraa who joined Abdullah in the moviemaking process, said he knew what suffering their hero went through because they all suffered from the same pain. 

“We wanted to highlight the injuries caused in Syria due to the intensity of the clashes. Since I left Syria, I am striving to do anything for its sake,” he added. 

For Labbad, Hmaidy's partner in the documentary "Suspended life", the movie aimed to highlight these forgotten segments of society who were deprived from any kind of support. “I benefited a lot from this workshop which was my first step into the world of cinema,” he said.

Mendelle said conducting the project on the border with Syria was "very important as it is often even more painful for Syrians living in bordering countries to see what is happening to their country. They are witnessing the destruction through social media, through phone calls by friends and families".

"They are refugees but they do not have the advantages that refugees in Germany, the UK or France have,” she explained, stressing the importance of establishing facilities for these young filmmakers. 

“We need to keep thinking about the reconstruction of Syria, which will come out of the war and go back to being the country it used to be. For that, we need this generation of filmmakers who can tell the world who they are and what they are doing,” she concluded.

AMMAN — Inspired by her worldwide travels that took her from her native Poland to the bustling streets of Dakar and the souks of Morroco, young Alicja Borzyskowska felt like she wanted to do more to help the communities she met.

The 19-year-old recently got involved with the UNHCR Jordan’s “Habitat for Humanity” project, which aims to build houses for local families in need, along with her work with the “Give a Hand” organisation in Turkey, where she organises educational camps for Syrian refugee children with the help of her friends.

“As a young girl, I was very fortunate to have a family fascinated by the richness of the world. I would spend nights with my dad studying bedouin maps and testing my first cameras in the shipyard of my hometown,” Borzyskowska recalled, adding: “I have been growing up with Gambian tribes, dancers in Nairobi, dinners in Masaii families, and studies of ivory routes through Dakar. My first alone voluntary mission at 15 in South Africa and Botswana was truly an eye-opening experience.”

After pursuing her education on three different continents, she enrolled in high school at King’s Academy in Jordan, where she got involved with Syrian refugee children and local communities.

"As I started volunteering with Habitat Jordan, which assists vulnerable families in having a decent place to live by rehabilitating their homes, I came to realise how biased people in the West can be about the Middle East, only receiving one-sided image of the region," she recounted, adding "this is what pushed me to go even deeper into journalism through my blog."

“Being a young journalist truly helped me better capture the complexity of the problems we encounter globally while allowing me to get involved with people from various cultural, religious, and educational backgrounds,” the young student explained, stressing "I think that there is no way of understanding and really feeling a country without first getting to know its people." 

She said reporting now takes up to 20 hours of her weekly time after school. "I see that many of our opinions are based on fear and this fear comes from the lack of knowledge and understanding between communities. The Middle East is extremely complex not only in its culture and politics but also in terms of its history and religious dynamics," Borzyskowska highlighted, calling for more educated readers and travellers.

The young student, who established her charity "Schools on Equator" in 2015, with the aim of providing equal access to education for all children of Africa, said education is "the most important thing, for both children and adults and in all its forms".

Over the course of her studies, she came across the work of the Orenda Tribe, a local social entreprise created by Jordanian Zaid Souqi in 2016. 

The local organisation uses the power of art to empower local communities through the sales of socially-responsible apparel which include designs created from the art of children living in refugee camps and less fortunate communities.

“Art to me is a defining element for any society, this is what shapes us as individuals and what brings communities together,” the young woman explained, stressing that “art helps us understand each other beyond our differences and owing to our common identity as human”.

“Alicja has been helping us spread the word about the Orenda tribe in different events. She is involved in our ‘Giving Back’ project where we empower people to make positive change in their own communities, teach children life skills and promote education through beautifying educational centres,” Souqi told The Jordan Times.

He said the Orenda Tribe is currently creating a network of “Artivists” who will serve as brand ambassadors to raise awareness on their cause around the world.

“I am continuously inspired by how complex problems can be made simple thanks to artistic visualisation, and how bridges between communities can be built and cherished through appreciation of beauty,” Borzyskowska said, stressing “art is one of the most powerful weapons we can all use to shape societiesand create the world we wish to live in”.

“All people carry a different perspective on the surrounding world that is shaped through their unique life experiences. I believe that this is what makes the art of each one of us so special,” Borzyskowska said, adding that she believes “everyone is an artist”.

“Whatever you decide to create, whether a workshop, setting up a gallery for local communities or painting a classroom in your neighbourhood, you have the power to start amazing things as soon as you find a purpose to your creativity,” the Polish student underscored.

Noticed for her social work, the 19-year-old was recently invited to an official diner with His Majesty King Abdullah and Prime Minister Hani Mulki, as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of King’s Academy.

“I was incredibly lucky to be assigned to the table where the Royal Family, country representatives and school founders were sitting.During these six hours, I had the opportunity to introduce myself to the Royal couple with whom I spoke about Poland and the projects I am involved in.”

Borzyskowska’s Jordanian adventures are available at http://www.alicjabeyond.com/, a website which she stressed "is just a medium connecting people beyond their differences and varying opinions".

AMMAN — Brazilian President Michel Temer on Monday voiced his country's interest for Jordan to join the Mercosur, a South American trade bloc comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, adding that he would direct ministers to start negotiations for Jordan to join the bloc.

In a speech delivered at the Arab-Brazilian Economic Forum, which was held on Monday in Sao Paulo, Temer said that the forum is an important step to build a new future for Arab-Brazilian economic relations, expressing relief for efforts exerted towards this end, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The one-day forum, organised by the Union of Arab Chambers in coordination with the Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Jordan Chamber of Commerce (JCC), gathered senior officials of international companies to discuss trade and cultural ties between the two regions with a focus on innovation, technology, food security, logistics, investment, renewable energy, halal products and trademarks.

Temer said that the Arab community in Brazil has made large contributions to the country's development, highlighting Brazil's "old and solid" relations with the Arab world.

He added that Brazil is a "pacifist country and a country of dialogue" that intersects with the Arab world in many fields, especially the energy, defence, tourism, sports and cultural sectors.

JCC President Nael Kabariti said that scopes of cooperation between Brazil and the Arab world are "available" and "important", stressing that the current level of cooperation does not match the economic, investment, industrial and tourist potential of both sides. 

In this regard, he highlighted the importance for Arabs and Brazilians to take advantage of the ICT and e-commerce "revolution", which has become an important gateway to facilitate and enhance commercial and economic activities that support growth and development goals.

Kabariti noted that Brazil, as an economic and industrial power within the G-20 and an influential power within Mercosur and BRICS, has to resume negotiations to reach a free trade agreement with Arab countries, which constitute an influential economic alliance under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area that includes more than 300 million consumers.

Reaching the agreement will increase trade exchange and provide an investment-attracting environment, he said, adding that the time is suitable to establish companies and joint mega investment projects.

Meanwhile, President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce Issa Murad reviewed the Kingdom's procedures aimed at improving the business environment and attracting investments, the most recent of which was granting the Jordanian nationality to investors.

He stressed that Jordan is pursuing its efforts to become more accessible to international economic powers, establish more investment partnerships and utilise the strategic location of the Kingdom and its free trade agreements.

AMMAN —The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) on Tuesday launched a study titled "Perceptions and Structures against the Political Participation of Women in Jordan", stressing the need to adopt recommendations and proposals aimed at supporting the political participation of women.

The report highlighted the need for womens involvement in representative councils, political parties, trade unions and the judiciary, including a series of comprehensive solutions to that end. 

Issued under the patronage of the Minister of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Musa Maaytah in cooperation with Hivos International, the launching ceremony saw the participation of several members of the governorate and municipal councils, along with representatives of civil society organisations concerned with the empowerment of women in public life.

Maaytah stressed the importance of involving women in political activities, noting that “it contributes to the process of sustainable development, therefore enhancing the capacities and potentials of our society”.

The minister also highlighted the growing rate in women's participation in elected bodies, pointing out that “it increases the strength and depth of their representation in society while developing their skills at the service of the community”.

For her part, JNCW Secretary General Salma Nims thanked all participants for their presence, expressing that “it demonstrates the community’s interest and support for the participation of women in all fields”.

AMMAN — The Criminal Court prosecutor on Tuesday charged a man with manslaughter in connection with the murder of his wife in Zarqa Governorate a day earlier, official sources said.

The 37-year-old woman was rushed to a private hospital by her son who found her lying unconscious in the bathroom, a senior judicial source said.

The mother of four was declared dead on arrival, the judicial source told The Jordan Times.

The victim was transferred to Zarqa National Institute of Forensic Medicine (ZNIFM) because “attending doctors at the private hospital were unable to determine the cause of death”, a senior medical source said.

A team of forensic experts at the ZNIFM comprised of Mahmoud Zreiqat, Adnan Abas and Ibrahim Obeidat performed an autopsy on the victim and concluded that she died of strangulation, the medical source told The Jordan Times.

“The forensic experts detected strangulation marks on the victim caused by a manual grip and concluded that it was a homicide,” according to the medical source.

The pathologists immediately alerted the authorities who opened a probe into the incident, the judicial source said.

“Investigators immediately summoned the husband since he told officials that his wife was suffering from medical problems,” the judicial source added.

Upon questioning him, the judicial source maintained, “he confessed to murdering his wife following an argument”.

Criminal Court Prosecutor Ishaq Abu Awad is currently questioning the suspect to “determine what the real motive behind the murder was”.

 The suspect was ordered detained for 15 days at a correctional and rehabilitation centre pending further investigations.

AMMAN — Jordan is in dire need of raising awareness on the legal rights and duties of its citizens while increasing their access to legal aid institutions, a recent report issued by The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law said. 

Based on a survey of 6,000 citizens from several governorates, the study determined that most Jordanians feel “competent and confident” in solving their legal issues, while more than half of the legal problems faced by citizens remain unsolved. 

Sixty per cent of the respondents reported having asked for legal information and assistance from either official or unofficial sources, while only 11 per cent preferred turning to a lawyer. Meanwhile, 24 per cent expressed that "the most useful sources for legal information are family members”.

However, most respondents showed a “relatively high” level of confidence in official institutions, with security agencies enjoying the highest level of trust. 

On the legal situation of refugees, the report showed that most Syrian refugees in Jordan face legal issues related to “basic human needs” and attempt to take legal action, but their cases remain unsolved due to “weakness” in available resources. 

Family and personal status matters appeared to be the most common legal issue among youth and vulnerable women according to the study, which stressed that “divorce issues impacted women three times more than men while 40 per cent of female respondents reported a family problem”.

The study called for “further innovation in justice and investments aimed at building a sustainable judicial system”, in addition to the development of “standardised protocols for justice solutions”.

A recent report by the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) legal aid organisation had also identified a “significant lack of legal services for women in Sharia [Islamic Law] courts”.

“The government, alongside key institutions, has undoubtedly made remarkable achievements in responding to a wide array of challenges within the justice sector with recent developments and achievements,” the study noted, highlighting that “the Personal Status Law based on Sharia interpretation is detailed and fairly comprehensive”.

“Yet, while Jordan has made progress in promoting women’s access to justice, the lack of an enabling environment, limited supply of legal and institutional resources, and high demand of mechanisms still represent significant challenges,” the report continued. 

The ARDD pointed out that “facilitating an enabling environment is critical to enhance women’s access to justice”, calling on decision makers to “adopt and revise national legal frameworks and harmonise them with international human rights standards — including granting women full citizenship rights”.

The Jordanian National Commision for Women (JNCW) recently criticised the lack of female Sharia judges in Jordan, stressing the importance of "engaging women in such positions as Sharia courts often deal with family issues in which women find themselves in a weaker position”.

“The law allows the engagement of women in this profession, but we have not been able to see this come into practice in Jordan,” JNCW Secretary General Salma Nims told The Jordan Times, citing the presence of female Sharia judges in neighbouring countries as an example to be followed.

AMMAN — Public Security Department (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Fadel Hmoud on Tuesday said that fighting crime requires continuous follow-up and development of the work methodology using modern techniques, in addition to training for personnel working in various criminal units, particularly the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During a visit to the CID, Hmoud stressed that the achievements made in combating crime should be an incentive for exerting more efforts and developing work mechanisms so as to increase the criminal investigation's effectiveness in prosecuting, and controlling crime on the one hand and preventing it on the other.

He praised the efforts of CID personnel and their coordination with other security units to work as one team. 

AMMAN — The ministerial steering committee to reform and develop the public sector on Tuesday held its first meeting, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Jafar Hassan, was recently formed to work intensively on reaching a public policy and an executive programme to reform the sector within three months.

The committee will be discussing means to activate the accountability principle, performance assessment, mechanism of appointing leaders and management of employment applicants at the Civil Service Bureau.

The panel also aims at increasing the productivity of public sector employees, determining the size of the sector in terms of the number of institutions and employees, and redistributing human resources, among others. 

AMMAN — The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development on Tuesday launched the 2018 Queen Alia Competition for Social Responsibility.

Cyber bullying was chosen as this year's theme due to its risks on society and social relations, as well as its psychological and health effects, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Atef Odeibat, head of the higher committee of the competition, commended the efforts of civil society institutions in organising the event, calling for people to participate in the award to help achieve its noble and humanitarian goals.