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AMMAN — Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) ended its third quarter with 6,202,370 passengers having passed through its halls during the first nine months of 2017, registering an increase of 6 per cent year-to-date in passenger traffic as opposed to the same period in 2016, according to official figures released by Airport International Group (AIG).

Current aircraft movements (ACM) witnessed an increase of 1.7 per cent, standing at 57,909 while the amount of cargo handled increased by 6.9 per cent, totaling to 80,483 tonnes, compared to last year, the AIG said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times on Saturday.

For the month of September, passenger traffic marked a 1.4 per cent increase, amounting to 785,454 passengers. Meanwhile, ACM figures witnessed a 2 per cent increase and cargo saw a 33.1 per cent rise, in comparison to September 2016, coming in at 7,066 ACM and 9,430 tonnes respectively.

AMMAN — “Volunteers are like the bank for change in Jordan. Their will to make a difference in the community has more power than money,” said Bara’ah Batainah, a 24-year-old volunteer with the UN Volunteers (UNV) Jordan.

The remark came as UNV Jordan on Friday launched the Jordan Volunteer Awards (JVA) 2017, in cooperation with the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), All Jordan Youth Commission, INJAZ and Int@j. 

Established to honour the efforts and achievements of Jordanian volunteers, who set a model for positive change, the prizes will be awarded to six best volunteering initiatives on December 5. 

“We chose December 5th, which is International Volunteer Day, to start an annual tradition here in Jordan that celebrates volunteerism,” said Tomas Kvedaras, head of the UN volunteering programmes in Jordan, noting that the competition will also help in spreading the word about the importance of volunteering.

“Volunteering is a cornerstone for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and we need all parties to be involved to achieve it, especially the civil society,” Kvedaras told The Jordan Times in a phone interview.

Asked to submit a two-minute video presenting their initiative, all Jordanian volunteers are encouraged to enter the competition,which was created with the aim of “highlighting volunteer contributions to peace and development in Jordan”, according to the organisers.

“Volunteering is very important because it allows you to give, to your social or local community, something that comes deeply from the heart,” said Batainah, stressing that “anyone who has the belief that he or she can make a change should just start and contribute with his time and ability.”

Nominations include best volunteer initiative at both large and small scales; best university volunteer initiative; best international volunteer assignment; best volunteer initiative in entrepreneurship; best volunteer initiative in the field of technology and innovation and best online volunteer.

“In Jordan, volunteering initiatives are essential because they help communities who live in remote areas and in other governorates outside of Amman,” Batainah stressed. 

Participants have until November 15 to submit their video, which should include the name of the initiative, the size of the team, the duration of the initiative, its field of intervention, the activities conducted and the results produced so far. 

“The first voting phase will be conducted on Facebook, with the public being able to vote for their favourite initiative, while the final vote will be held by participants during the JVA ceremony in December,” Kvedaras explained.

“The video can include short interviews, shots from volunteers in action, infographics, etc. The more interesting, dynamic and engaging the video is, the more chances it has to be noticed by people and receive more votes,” he continued.

The UNV programme, which is active in 130 countries worldwide, under the administration of the UN Development Programme, seeks to contribute towards peace and development through volunteerism. 

AMMAN — Police personnel at Zarqa Public Hospital on Saturday arrested a man, in his 30s for allegedly attacking a nurse and destroying hospital equipment earlier in the day.

Hospital police officers handed over the man to a police station, prior to referring him to the attorney general, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Hospital Director Mahmoud Zreiqat said that the suspect, the husband of a patient admitted to the gynaecology department, allegedly destroyed equipment worth JD1,500 and reportedly smoked inside the facility. Zreiqat told Petra that the nurse is currently receiving treatment at the hospital and is in a fair condition. 

AMMAN — Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani on Thursday said that the NEOM project, launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman within the 2030 Saudi vision, will contribute to increasing economic growth rates and enhancing investment in the region.

A 26,000-square-kilometre project to be implemented on the shores of the Red Sea, NEOM extends over Jordanian and Egyptian lands, in addition to Saudi Arabia, at a cost of $500 billion.

In an interview on Jordan Television’s morning show “News and Dialogue”, Momani, stressed that Jordan places great importance in investment, adding that there is high level of coordination with Saudi Arabia regarding the scheme.

Being held in three countries, the project is envisioned to improve economic conditions in the area and positively reflect on its development rates, added Momani, who is also the government spokesperson. 

Meanwhile, Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Nasser Shraideh has said in a statement that the town of Aqaba “will be part of the global project NEOM, which will attract international economic activity to the region”.

He added in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times Thursday that the project is a declaration of confidence in Jordan's security and stability and “acknowledgement of the scale of achievements in Aqaba”.

The ASEZA chief pointed out that as soon as the project is launched, it will stimulate economic activity in Aqaba in particular, and in Jordan in general, adding that more meetings and consultations will take place between the Jordanian and Saudi sides, to develop detailed programmes and timetables.

Commenting on the creation of a new capital, the minister said that Prime Minister Hani Mulki had talked clearly about having initial studies and blueprints to establish a new capital, which will not be connected with Amman and will be out of its current borders.

He added that public departments would be transferred to the new capital, which will be constructed in partnership with the private sector, especially that the Treasury cannot fund the building costs under current economic challenges.

As for terrorists who fled war zones in neighbouring countries, Momani stressed that Jordan will not tolerate any aggression on its security, and that “death is the inevitable destiny for whoever tries to approach our borders”.

In this regard, he stressed that concerned agencies will deal with terrorists using the proper military and security means that best defend the country’s interests and security and the safety of its people.

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN’s special envoy for Yemen, on Thursday discussed the latest efforts to end the Yemeni crisis.

During the meeting, the UN envoy briefed Safadi on the latest developments and contacts he made with regional and international parties, as well as his plans to activate the political process and resolve the conflict, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Safadi stressed the Kingdom's support for all efforts aimed at reaching a political solution to end the war and the suffering of the Yemeni people and restore security and stability in the country, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Initiative, outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and relevant UN Security Council decisions, especially Resolution 2216.

Jordan hosts the headquarters of the office of the UN mission for Yemen, according to an agreement signed between the government and the international organisation.

AMMAN — Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) announced that it will implement the new security measures required by the US authorities for US-bound flights in mid-January 2018, upon pre-agreement with the concerned US authorities, a statement from the national carrier said on Thursday. 

The enhanced security measures were internationally applicable as of Thursday, whereas the US authorities granted all airlines the option to delay the implementation process up to six months, the statement said.

The additional procedures will impact all airlines operating direct flights to the US, and will include all nationalities flying to the US with no exception, the statement concluded.

AMMAN — Seeking to instill environmental responsibility in the younger generation through art, the Ministry of Environment on Thursday relaunched the “Zaal and Khadra” play that tackles the issue of littering.

A pair of Jordanian comedians educated an audience of over 500 schoolchildren on the impact of littering on environment and wildlife at the first show held at Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Ras Al Ain.

Employing music, sound effects and dance, the actors conveyed messages on environmental issues in a “simple and funny way”.

Yara Houni, a fifth grader from a private school in Tlaa Al Ali, said that she enjoyed the play. “It is the first time that I watch a play or sit in a theatre. The play talked about throwing waste in the streets and leaving rubbish at forests, which I know are wrong practices because they pollute our environment,” Houni told The Jordan Times at the theatre.

A group of eighth graders came from Zarqa, 20 kilometres northeast of the capital, to watch the play with their teachers.

“I am very excited to watch the play because I am a member in the environment club at our school that raises awareness of students on environment problems,” 13-year-old Raya Shihab said.

“Zaal and Khadra” was first performed in April under a nation-wide campaign to address littering, according to ministry’s spokesperson Isa Shboul.

“The play toured more than 50 schools across the country with the attendance of thousands of children. When we announced that the tour was over, we received many requests to organise another tour to reach more schools,” Shboul told The Jordan Times on the sidelines of the play.

Over the course of this scholastic year, the play will be touring more schools and target more remote areas, Shboul noted.

In addition to the play, the ministry is also organising several activities to raise public awareness on littering and try to end the practice.

A clean-up campaign was launched in early April, covering 60 locations across the Kingdom. Government agencies, civil societies and school students participated in the campaign to remove litter in public places, a government official said on Thursday.

The ministry also distributed 1,000 trash bins across the country’s forests and is preparing an environment education syllabus in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, scheduled to be introduced into the national education system as of the next academic year.

AMMAN — The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), in cooperation with the Professional Associations Complex, is continuing its fund raising campaign for the Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh who fled Myanmar in fear of persecution. 

According to the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), over 600,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmar to neighbouring Bangladesh since mid-August, due to ethnic tensions and violence perpetrated by the government. 

“It’s just too sad, too disastrous to look away,” said Shahd Anani, head of public relations at JHCO, explaining why the Kingdom started the initiative. 

Anani said that the relief campaign, which was launched under the instructions of His Majesty King Abdullah, is a national movement triggered by the “duty for us to be there in times of humanitarian crisis”. 

“That’s why we have collaborated with trade unions. All associations, whether they are vets, pharmacists, artists, actors, lawyers or journalists, everyone is involved in this campaign with us,” she told The Jordan Times in a phone interview.

The organisation has also reached out to schools, shopping malls, as well as religious leaders to broaden their outreach.

“Last Friday, we had imams talking about the plight of the Rohingyas during their sermon at the mosque and ways to donate,” Anani said, adding “people should help the Rohingyas, not just because they are Muslims, but because they are humans.” 

Majed Tabbaa, president of Jordan Engineers Association, shared a similar sentiment. “It is a humanitarian issue, and no matter what is happening in our own country, we must help them,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

Earlier this week, Her Majesty Queen Rania visited Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh. During a press conference at Kutupalong Refugee Camp, she condemned the torture perpetrated against the oppressed minority and called on the international community to respond “effectively, quickly, and generously”. 

JHCO’s campaign, which will run through December 24, was launched with the support of the Social Development Ministry and is only accepting cash donations. Donors are encouraged to deposit their contributions at the Jordan Islamic Bank account No. 49992. For all other inquires, they can contact the JHCO through 0796329047 or 0775520087. 

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki, accompanied by a ministerial team, on Thursday visited the Central Badia region and inaugurated a number of development and service projects, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The PM met with deputies, dignitaries and elders of the region as well as investors in the industrial city of Muwaqqar.

During a meeting at former minister Jamal Khreisha’s house, the premier said: “I came here to assure you that the situation is good and that things are going on the right path.”

He pointed out that the holistic reforms implemented by Jordan will “enable us to hand over the homeland to the next generation in a better situation than what we inhertal from our forefathers”.

Mulki stressed that the government will resolve the challenges facing the Kingdom and work with all the “seriousness and sincerity” to build “the Jordan we want”.

The Prime Minister started his field visit to the Central Badia with the inauguration of a water network project to Baseleih and Shahba. Mulki listened to a briefing by Water Minister Hazem El Nasser about the project. El Nasser noted that the project, which was funded with a grant from UNICEF, includes a water network and conveying lines to provide drinking water with the aim of alleviating water shortages in these two towns.

Mulki also visited the Philadelphia Solar Energy Company in the Qastal region and toured the plant and reviewed the production process of solar panels using modern technology. He then visited the Pine Tree garment factory in Muwaqqar industrial city.

The PM met with investors in Muwaqqar industrial city and stressed the government’s pride in the progress made by the industry sector and its reliance on modern technology. 

He pointed out that the “right time for reform” was during the period between 2000 and 2009 when the economy was growing at a rate of 6.5 per cent, adding that after 2010, regional and local conditions hindered the process, necessitating the need for economic reforms.

AMMAN — A three-day competition targeting innovators of all ages kicked off on Thursday, requiring each participant to come up with a tech-related idea or project, three of which will get the chance to be implemented afterwards. 

Five young innovators came up with the idea of the Amman Tech Hackathon, which will run through October 28 at the Zain Innovation Campus in the Jordanian University (ZINC JUT).

Alaa Obeid, Hamza Daoud, Baraa Sueilmeen, Khalid Al Saeedi and Ahmad Al Shareef, all aged 18 years or younger, launched the competition following “unconvincing” experiences in previous competitions.

Alaa Obeid, a 17-year-old student, said that he and the four other organisers have previously participated in many competitions, but noted that they “were not convinced with the judges’ decision, because it’s not always their field of expertise”.

“That’s why we came up with this competition, and chose our own judges, whom we trust,” Obeid stated.

The judges of Amman Tech Hackathon, dubbed “a marathon for technical ideas” are Ahmad Jadallah, Phi Science Institute’s president; Mahmoud Darawsheh, CEO of Mind Rockets Inc. and Loay Malahmeh, a founding partner of Fab Lab Amman and Irbid.

The event will also see mentors from various backgrounds to help the participating teams during the competition, Obeid added.

“The participants are not necessarily required to provide us with a full project or a prototype, what we want is a ‘complete’ idea and its description,” he explained.

Participants are also asked to answer: “How is your technology supposed to benefit your society?” in addition to providing a briefing about their personal scientific background.

“The winners will be selected to enter ‘business incubators’ and will receive prizes from ‘Fab Lab Amman’ [a space that contains various labs which will allow them to implement their projects],” he said, adding that “’Shamal Start’ [which is funded by the UN], will choose any of the projects they consider valid for execution.”

“All the participants’ projects might be accepted by Shamal Start even if they did not win the Hackathon prize,” he explained.

Amman Tech Hackathon is supported by Zain Jo, ZINC, Fab Lab, Shamal Start and Jobedu, according to Obeid.