Local

AMMAN — Four people were injured on Thursday as a cement truck driver lost control of his vehicle, which hit four other vehicles on the road from Ajloun to Irbid, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The head of the Civil Defence Department in Ajloun, Colonel Hani Smadi, said that the injured were transferred to Al Iman Public Hospital by the CDD personnel, where they were reported to be in fair conditions.

AMMAN — The country office of UN Women in Jordan on Wednesday launched the second phase of the HeForShe campaign for gender equality, which aims to reach a total of 20,000 commitments in the Kingdom. 

The new phase of the campaign will set the focus on social media to spread awareness on the movement, which provides a targeted platform where global audiences can engage and become agents of change to achieve gender equality, according to its website. 

“When a new volunteer commits with the movement, they get a unique number, which they write down on a piece of paper and later post on their social media profiles, along with a message explaining why are they joining the change,” project coordinator Laith Abu Taleb told The Jordan Times. 

“We believe in the power of social media, which is why we want to use it as a tool to spread the word and to educate audiences about gender equality,” he continued. 

The new phase of the campaign will also serve to launch the Impact 10×10×10 initiative in Jordan, which engages key decision makers in the government, private companies and universities to make gender equality an institutional priority. 

“We seek to make 10 universities, 10 companies and 10 members of the public sector commit with gender equality through their organisations,” Abu Taleb said. 

Furthermore, the campaign will launch new social media channels with Arabic content. “Jordan has been leading the movement in the Arab region and neighbouring countries are now following us, so we are opening these new channels to make the information available for as many people as possible,” the coordinator explained. 

The new phase will officially start on October 15 with a training at the UN women country office in Jordan, where volunteers will prepare the strategy for the new stage. 

“During the first phase, we discovered various challenges along the way, so we still have to see what this new stage brings,” Abu Taleb said. 

The launching coincided with the closing ceremony of HeForShe phase one, which concluded in September with a total of 10,000 new commitments achieved through 25 campaigns across public and applied universities in the Kingdom. 

Committed men and women were granted certificates of achievement, and several youth volunteers were awarded the HeForShe prize for their efforts. 

Farah Khalil, a student at Al al-Bayt University and one of the awarded volunteers, said: “One of the main challenges we encountered was the culture and the stereotypes applied to gender.” 

Although she was aware of what she would have to face, that did not stop her, she said, noting that she achieved 3,000 commitments at Al al-Bayt University.

AMMAN — “My creations are on-the-go ambassadors of Jordan to the world,” said designer We’am Zeidan at the “Design for Impact” exhibition held at NOFA Creative Space on Wednesday.

Zeidan was one of the 14 designers present at the interactive exhibition that aimed to “celebrate design, craft, and the art of co-creation”, according to its organisers.

“This exhibition is a great achievement but also, we hope, the starting point of a collaborative approach to design and artisanship in Jordan,” said Maja Rotter, Head of the German Development Cooperation’s (GIZ) Responsible and Inclusive Business Hub MENA programme, which organised the 10-week collaboration project that led to the exhibition.

The showcase featured innovative products resulting from collaborative partnerships between local designers, craftsmen and craftswomen who worked together for three months in developing a successful inclusive business model. 

“Designers usually delegate the work to artisans without understanding the challenges and limitations of the production process,” said Hana Faouri, creative arts and cultural project manager at the British Council, which co-organised the programme.

“Through this programme, we facilitated the sharing of skills between the designers and artisans and showed them how much the other party had to offer,” she told The Jordan Times at the event.

Set up across the NOFA creative space located in Jabal Amman, each booth showcased a unique craft  — embroidery, weaving, calligraphy, mosaics — that revived traditional production methods through a modern design process. 

Trendy style back straps embroiled with Jordanian heritage patterns were displayed at Zeidan’s Taqsireh booth, exposing her collaboration with the local Iraq Al Amir Women Association and artisans from Al Baqaa and Al Teeba refugee camps.

“Through those creations, which blend the tradition and heritage of Jordan’s weaving and embroidery in a modern trendy style, we aim to introduce the new generation to the richness of their culture,” Zeidan said.

Home furniture and fashion pieces were showcased alongside tableware, lighting units and laptop sleeves, offering the visitor an immersion into the “purely Jordanian” creative process. 

The participants began their journey in August by discovering the often overlooked and marginalised local craft scene. They then engaged in a partnership and learning process, where they were familiarised with inclusive business models, the GIZ officer explained. “There are so many talents locally, and all they need is a bridge to meet and exchange their skills and ideas. Bringing these two worlds together to trigger long-lasting creative partnerships was the ultimate goal of our programme,” Rotter stated.

“All these creations are made with an impact in mind,” said Eman Diab, a designer who collaborated with basket weaver Hadil Sobaihy. 

“People tend to think that banana leaves are not pretty and they are only limited to small practical items. I wanted to show that, with a Mishmash — a ‘weird mixture’ — you can make something beautiful and functional,” said the young woman, who just founded her own design company “Mishmash” through the programme.

In the middle of NOFA’s garden, “The Humble Table” gathered visitors throughout the day around an innovative catering concept launched by Namliyeh with the support of GIZ RIBH.

An inclusive idea inviting all guests to create their own meal from 100 per cent locally sourced ingredients, The Humble Table was equipped with locally crafted “modest” tableware products.

“We collaborate with local bread makers, farmers, producers, who do not have the resources to access the national market,” explained Aya Shaban, one of the co-founders of Namliyeh, adding “we try to bring a totally new experience in the way people approach food.”

Featured designers also included Aisha Dweikat, Amani Qaddoumi, Dana Rousan Al Barghouthy, Hind Jarar, Laith Abu Taleb, Majeda Zaghlan, Nada Kabarit, Nour Al Gharibeh, Omar Hajawi, Razan Basim, Susanne Baalbaki, Tamara Ala Ali and Waed Saeed.

AMMAN — Over 1,300 households in Shafa Badran will be linked to the sewage network by the year 2019, under the first phase of a project to improve wastewater infrastructure in northern Amman, according to officials.

The first phase of the project is worth a little over JD5 million, according to the officials at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, who indicated that 90 per cent of the cost was funded by the German government and the remainder by the state Treasury.

The three-phase project seeks to improve the sewage infrastructure by linking some 17,000 households to the sewage network, Minister of Water and Irrigation Hazem Al-Naser said in a press statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times.

The project’s first phase will serve more than 25,000 people, Al-Naser said, indicating that its implementation is scheduled to end within 24 months.

“The ministry seeks to expand the level of coverage of the wastewater services from the current 64 per cent to over 70 per cent by the year 2020,” Al-Naser said in the statement.

Meanwhile, the ministry’s spokesperson, Omar Salameh, on Thursday highlighted that the ministry will also shut down the Abu Nseir Wastewater Treatment Plant under its plan to improve public health and environmental conditions in northern Amman.

The plant, which was established in the late 1980s to treat 4,000 cubic metres of wastewater per day, has long been a source of air pollution and a potential hazard to underground water.

Late last week, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation announced plans to close down the plant to address its environmental problems.

The ministry seeks to increase the amount of treated wastewater from the current 115 million cubic metres per year to 250 million cubic metres by the year 2025 under several projects announced in its Amman and Zarqa wastewater strategy released in April this year.

The treated wastewater will increasingly substitute the use of freshwater for industrial purposes, as well as the irrigation of certain cultivations in the Jordan Valley and south of Amman, according to the ministry.

AMMAN — Neon lights stop serving a mere lightning function to become art at the new “Lamba Neon” solo exhibition by artist Hana Ghawi, inaugurated at the Wadi Finan Art Gallery earlier this week. 

Visitors can see Arabic calligraphy and Middle Eastern motifs crafted in the neon signs lighting the gallery in an exhibition that will run through November 1.

The word “love”, written in Arabic in a big, pink neon sign welcomes the gallery’s visitors, giving them a hint about the message conveyed by the artist. 

“It is all about love,” Ghawi told The Jordan Times, expressing that “this exhibition is an eclectic, catchy take on the different aspects of love, and every single piece has something to do with it”.

When asked about the reasons behind focusing on neon lights, the artist explained that “it all started after living abroad for a while, when I realised the potential of neon as art”.

“In Jordan, neon lights were used as mere signage for stores, and I wanted to take them and make them into art for our country,” she continued, noting that she started working with local and regional artists to achieve this. 

Ghawi was working in the advertising sector until she realised art was her “true call”. 

“I was so fully involved in the creative process that I felt the need to get out of my office and to start doing art exclusively. This is how Lamba Neon started,” the artist explained.

Lamba Neon is the company started by Ghawi, which specialises in the design and manufacture of bespoke neon art. 

Based in Amman, the label aims to add a modern twist to a product that has stood the test of time, reviving the American 80s trend and connecting it with the Middle Eastern culture, she concluded. 

AMMAN — The Criminal Court on Thursday sentenced a 26-year-old Bangladeshi domestic worker to death after convicting her of murdering an elderly couple in Irbid in March.

The defendant stood motionless as the presiding judge read the verdict, a senior judicial source said.

“The defendant heard the verdict through her translator and had no reaction,” the senior judicial source told The Jordan Times.

The court convicted the woman on two counts of premeditated murder for the bludgeoning to death of an 87-year-old man and his wife, 84, with a small axe while they were sleeping in their home in Irbid on March 24.

Court papers said the defendant arrived to the Kingdom on March 18 to work for the elderly couple.

“The defendant decided that she did not want to work for the couple because they were old and decided to kill them,” according to court papers.

On the day of the murder, the court maintained, the defendant “brought a small axe and struck the victims who were asleep”.

 Fearing she might be exposed, the court maintained, she changed her clothes and cleaned herself.

“She also hit herself with the axe, locked herself in the bathroom and started screaming for help,” according to court transcripts.

A second source told The Jordan Times that the suspect attempted to claim that “an intruder entered the house and murdered the elderly couple and that she was attacked in the process”.  

But police told The Jordan Times shortly after the murder that “investigators never believed her story and that they were able to determine that she was the perpetrator based on evidence at the scene”.  

The verdict will automatically be reviewed by the Cassation Court within the next 30 days.

AMMAN — A 72-page publication takes locals into a journey through the world of Jordanian calligraphy, giving them a glimpse into the practices of calligraphers across the Kingdom. 

Titled “Fahres Al Khattat”, the publication was designed by Eyen Design with the aim of providing people with an overview of the current calligraphers in Jordan and  their work, said Omar Al Zo’bi, co-founder of Eyen Design. 

“As graphic designers, we felt that we had a responsibility towards the root of design, which is the calligraphers,” he told The Jordan Times in a recent interview at the Hangar Exhibition, where Fahres Al Khattat is displayed.  

Zo’bi said calligraphers’ works used to be displayed around the Kingdom through street advertisements and shop banners. 

“We wanted to pay tribute to the Arabic alphabet. It is special for us because we are Arabic calligraphers,” he added.  

Zo’bi and Yousef Abedraboo, who co-founded Eyen Design and Fahras Al Khattab, also created a vending machine, through which visitors can get a copy of the publication for a JD5 fee. 

“We searched all Jordan for these people. This copy includes the name of the calligrapher, a copy of his/her work, his/her address, how to reach him/her and years of experience. This is a good database for designers as many of us are eager to learn calligraphy,” Zo’bi added.  

He recalled how they came up with this idea when they kept hearing among designers: “Do you know a good calligrapher?”

“Whenever we dealt with a calligrapher, they wanted us to recommend their works and keep them posted with any further opportunities. This is why we wanted to create this publication,” he added. 

Zo’bi said calligrapher Shihada Haroun helped them a lot in reaching these calligraphers. 

“He gave us an initial list and, starting from there, each calligrapher helped us approach more,” he recounted. 

It took the duo three months to find all the contacts for the project. 

“They were excited about the idea of being part of this project,” Zo’bi stated.  

He noted that the proceeds of the guide sales will be used to open an independent exhibition hosting the works of calligraphers in Jordan.  

The vending machine will be operating throughout the event, Zo’bi said, expressing his hope that they would be able to expand the guide to other forgotten crafts. 

AMMAN — Digital marketing is fundamental to help Jordanian businesses grow and reach out to a wider audience across the Arab world, according to Neil Patel, a top digital marketing expert.

“The potential for growth and expansion is huge in the Middle East, taking into account the high consumption of technology, rates of connectivity and mobile penetration,” Patel told The Jordan Times on Wednesday.

The remark came on the sidelines of a seminar on Advanced Content Marketing held by Ideas Corporate Communication (ICC) that saw the participation of some 190 personnel representing several sectors.

The digital marketing expert indicated that startups working in the field of Arabic content focusing on search engine optimisation (a technique helping websites to rank higher in search results) were a great niche.

“When it comes to Search Engine Optimisation, there is no competition in the Middle East. There is a great potential to be tapped in this regard,” he added.

The seminar focused on latest techniques and advancements in the field of digital marketing and the best practices to market content to reach a wider audience.

“The Arab market is a huge market for startups and digital marketing is the way to reach and benefit from the potential in this market,” Patel added.

Rana Al Hallak, managing director of ICC, said that the event provided a platform for all participants to get acquainted with the latest developments in the rapidly growing field.

“The seminar will be held annually and will attract world renowned experts to help improve local expertise in the field,” Al Hallak told The Jordan Times.

Stressing on the importance of digital marketing, Mohammad Lafi, a digital marketing expert, stressed the need for startups working in the field of content development to focus on creating unique content, which is the “key” for content to go viral.

“When content goes viral, this is a cheap method for reaching out to a wide audience and marketing,” Lafi added. 

AMMAN — “A decade ago, there were only a handful of skaters in Jordan, but the construction of 7Hills has jumpstarted the community,” said Mohammed Zakaria, co-founder of the local 7Hills skatepark

A community built infrastructure set up to provide a safe and free access to skateboarding for all, 7Hills has become a local landmark where people from all walks of life gather to share their passion for the urban art.

“We see kids as young as three years old come with their brothers and sisters to skate,” said Zakaria, who added “7Hills has become a meeting point for people of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, breaking down social, status and financial barriers through skating.”

Every day, a bustling community of people pours into the local park near downtown Amman to learn how to skate, practise their passion, or simply socialise with fellow skaters.

A barren area filled with garbage three years ago, the space was revamped by a crew of volunteers into a 650sqm skatepark, with the support of some 180 individual donors.

“We have made sure that, once completed, the skatepark would remain a safe and secure zone with a lasting positive impact on the community,” Zakaria said, noting that a team of international volunteers has taken over to run the place and ensure its maintenance and safety.

Established in 2014 through a collaboration between Make Life Skate Life, Philadelphia Skateboards and the Greater Amman Municipality, 7Hills skatepark has gained widespread popularity despite some initial concerns.

“Whenever you bring something new into a community, people get scared and reluctant. But, with 7Hills, the community has been very supportive and helpful,” Zakaria said, noting that the locals have been involved throughout the whole construction process and are now the “backbone” of the skatepark.

The park currently facilitates four outreach classes every week benefiting over 150 participants: one for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, one for Palestinian kids from Jerash camp, and another organised for Sudanese children, according to the founder who explained that several programmes including the girls-only sessions, had to be cancelled due to shortage in funding.

“We have also set up a youth empowerment programme through which local kids get paid with skateboard products for every ten classes they teach to the refugee youth,” Zakaria continued, stressing that it helps strengthen social cohesion among the various communities.

Furthermore, 7Hills provides a loaner programme whereby locals from the neighbourhood are given free access to skateboards for the duration of their stay at the park.

“The loaner programme aims to make skateboarding accessible to diverse social groups that cannot afford buying the equipment,” he said, noting that, due to the lack of free public spaces, “most of the refugee youth have no recreational occupation due to limited resources”.

“Vulnerable groups have few outlets for creativity and play. Through skateboarding, they can be supported and once again believe in their own abilities,” he stated, stressing that 70 per cent of the class participants are refugees.

For Zakaria, 7Hills seeks to provide the youth with a “safe place for leisure and physical education, in an environment that represents safety, hope, friendship, and fun”.

“I like to skate a lot and this is a very new idea in Jordan,” said Azran, a 14-year-old Jordanian, who added that he “returns there every day after school to learn new tricks and meet people”.

With 60 per cent of the population in Amman being younger than 25, according to UNICEF figures, the potential for expansion is growing.

“7Hills is only the initial seed for what we have in mind: we want to expand to the host communities in the north of Jordan, and to the local ones in the south,” the co-founder said, citing the lack of public spaces in the country as detrimental to society.

“We are currently working with Amman Design Week to launch a public space designing competition to raise awareness on the importance of free public places to improve the lives of the communities in Jordan,” Zakaria concluded.

AMMAN — Amman will host the 17th edition of the “Italian Language Week in the World” from October 16 to 18 under the theme “Italian at cinema, Italian within the cinema”, according to an embassy statement.

The opening evening will see the participation of a renowned Italian cinema and television figure: actor, screenplayer and director Pier Francesco Diliberto, known as Pif. 

The Sicilian artist will inaugurate the week, organised by the Italian minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation in more than 120 countries across the world, according to the statement. 

At the Zara Centre, Pif will present his latest film “In Guerra per Amore” (At War for Love) released in 2016.

On October 17, the documentary film “I wear the veil, I love the Queen” by Luisa Porrino will be screened, telling the everyday life of three young Muslim women.

The movie sheds light on the prejudices and stereotypes that limit the understanding of the Islamic culture, in a bid to enhance mutual comprehension and inter-cultural integration, the statement said.

To conclude, the 2016 film “Have Nice Dreams” by Marco Bellocchio will expose the socio- economical changes Italy has been through in the last 30 years, analysed by the eyes of a child and a war journalist. The story was inspired by the autobiographical novel written by Massimo Gramellini. 

The Week of the Italian language in the World is the “perfect opportunity” to shed light on important and delicate issues, to not only promote the image of an open and multicultural Italy but also to make people more sensitive and aware of current social issues, according to the statement.

It also serves to highlight how well Italy and Jordan have been working together to boost integration and openness, the statement concluded.