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AMMAN — Reading is a thirst that only increases when you quench it: this could be the slogan of the recently launched Ebook mobile app by Abjjad, an online Arabic books website founded by Eman Hylooz five years ago.

“I am a bookworm. I love reading and I always wanted to share the beauty of Arabic books,” the 33-year-old Jordanian told The Jordan Times in an interview on Sunday. 

With the advancement of technology and the multiplication of electronic devices, people reading books on phones, tablets and laptops has become a daily occurrence worldwide.

However, while people have an easy and instant access to millions of books on digital platforms, the lack of a proper online database for Arabic books dawned on Hylooz.

She recalled: “I was hearing a lot: there is no readership in the Arab world, there are no Arabic books. But I know that there is actually a lot of passionate readers who would love to socialise around their reading experience.”

She used her background in computer science and years of experience in software development to establish the website Abjjad, with the aim of filling this literary gap and helping avid Arab readers to access their daily dose of prose and poetry.

An equivalent of the English website “Goodreads”, Abjjad offers Internet users the chance to browse through an online catalogue of over 160,000 books by Arab and international authors that encompass a wide variety of topics such as fiction, politics, psychology, religion, self-help, among others.

The 450,000 registered users also get to review the books and authors and share their experience through comments and ratings with other book enthusiasts worldwide.

Every month, more than 36,000 book-related posts are shared on the site, with writers engaging in conversations through over 5,000 comments, the founder of Abjjad said. 

After five years of online success, the team decided to launch a mobile app allowing Arab readers access to their favourite books anytime, anywhere. “In the past five years, I could feel that users were being frustrated by reading nice reviews and getting recommendations from their followers, but being unable to find the book to acquire,” Hylooz explained, noting that “it then made sense to start with eBooks”.

“This app introduces a revolution in the world of Arabic reading while preserving the rights of the publisher, as the 2,000 ebooks we have uploaded have already been downloaded 280,000 times on the application over the past three months,” the young woman said.

Hylooz’s love for literature goes beyond the passion for reading; she also seeks to preserve the vitality of the industry by combating the illegal downloading of books that scraps publishers and authors from their revenues.

“By signing partnerships with the leading publishing houses in the Arab world, we ensure that they are not killed by the pirating of books that  spread dangerously,” she explained, adding that, while these publishers were reluctant to the jump into the digital world, they are now fully on board.

“The problem with Arabic books is that they are not a priority for global companies like Google, Amazon or Kindle; their marketing strategy is mostly focused on the English reading community,” the entrepreneur highlighted.

However, the launch of the app comes at the time when the number of Internet subscribers in the Kingdom amounts to 8.7 million, and a total of 160 million around the Arab world, most of which are mobile broadband, according to official figures.

“We are the generation that is witnessing the change to the digital world and we need to take it upon ourselves to help publishers penetrate this huge market that has been left behind by global companies,” she stressed.

For Hylooz, Abjjad has gone beyond a mere readers’ platform: it has turned into a social and intellectual one. “The content that is produced by Abjjad’s readers community is one of the most important sources for finding the best books. The users look for recommendations from other readers, interact with them over recent activities, opinions and quotations,” she noted.

On criticisms about the loss of authenticity in reading, Hylooz responded: “The app does not take away the ‘pleasure of reading a paper book’, as everything was designed to give the reader a real-life reading sensation.”

“We actually raise the quality of reading, shifting away from the poor level of pirated Arabic books pdfs currently on the market,” she concluded.

AMMAN — The Jordanian choir “The Fountain of Love” that performed alongside world famous Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli in Jerash last month is planning to expand through TV programmes and music classes, hoping to reach a wide array of people with their hymns. 

The choir, which consists of 80 singers and musicians from Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and France of all ages and religions, performs hymns that cover genres such as Western and Eastern classical music and Byzantine and modern songs, according to its founder Tomah Jbarah.

Before Bocelli’s concert, they performed in France, Germany, Lebanon and Belgium, among others. They recorded a number of CDs and held regular events to raise funds for charitable causes, Jbarah said.  

Jbarah, who is also the conductor of the choir, attributes the choir’s success to the diversity of its members. During an interview with The Jordan Times at the choir’s centre in Jabal Luweibdeh, Jbarah noted: “We are the only choir that includes people from different churches and areas. That is why the choir is growing; because we welcome members regardless of whether they are Catholic, Protestant, Othodox or Muslim, we consider all of them our friends.” 

The idea came to Jbarah around Christmas time in 2002, as he was performing carols with five other people. A year later, he realised his dream of establishing an inclusive choir group in Jordan.

Their debut was not easy, especially as the idea of a choir “wasn’t very popular”, he recalled, saying, “We didn’t have money to buy a piano, many members, myself included, paid from our own pockets to buy the piano second hand.” 

The group realised they needed to improve their musical skills to keep their dream alive, so they decided to shift from music-enthusiasts to professionals. “In 2008, we released our first CD and started to focus on studying music. With the new songs, the CD was the first to be played in all apostolic churches,” Jbarah said, adding “now, we write the songs, we compose the music, we go to the studio to record”.

In September, after performing nine songs alongside Bocelli in Jerash, the Italian maestro “acknowledged and appreciated” the choir’s work, which was a “great reward” after all their early challenges, Jbarah recalled. 

“We presented him with the songs backstage and he seemed so happy. He congratulated us and it was a very important moment for the singers,” he added. 

The choir now seeks to continue expanding. Their next stage is to perform an oratorio which is a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices 

“The Middle East has unfortunately become a place most often linked with violence and war, but this oratorio has proven that it can also be a place of musical creativity and innovation,” Jbarah said. 

“My vision was to have a big group of singers, to draw smiles on the faces of the audience, to pray with good music, and to improve the church’s melodies and songs,” he added.

The choir recently started incorporating acting in its performances and plans to collaborate with Faris Haddadeen —a Jordanian Christian actor — to start filming episodes of a Bible programme for children. 

Jbarah expressed his gratitude to all the “organisations, churches, bishops, priests and friends inside and outside Jordan” that supported his choir and his dream. 

AMMAN — Deputising for Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Social Development Minister Hala Lattouf on Sunday attended a ceremony held by the White Beds Society’s (Al Asirra Al Baydaa) elderly home on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons.

During the ceremony, co-organised by the ministry, the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and the society, Lattouf stressed the government’s keenness to reform the social protection sector, with a special focus on the elderly, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

She noted that the number of elderly people in Jordan stands at 540,000, and that the number of beneficiaries from the services of social care homes does not exceed 355, of which 185 are women.

The ministry fully incurs the expenses of hosting 134 of these beneficiaries, Lattouf said, noting that the ministry also provides financial and in-kind assistance to elderly homes, to enable them to play their important social role.

Hayfa Bashir, head of the society, stressed the Kingdom’s keenness on providing care for the elderly in their families and within society through providing them with shelters that suit their needs when necessary.

During the ceremony, Fadel Al Hmoud, the NCFA secretary general, provided Lattouf with the National Strategy for the Elderly, which was prepared by the council in cooperation with the national committee entrusted with following up on its implementation, according to Petra. 

Meanwhile, the National Centre for Human Rights recommended drafting a law to protect the rights of elderly people as part of the centre’s report on the situation of elderly homes across the Kingdom.

AMMAN — The Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) has celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by evaluating the church’s influence on the prosperity of its members and society as a whole.

The three-day event, held under the patronage of HRH Prince Ghazi, concluded on Thursday, with the attendance of more than 70 heads and representatives of the evangelical churches of Syrian, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine and Jordan.  

Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Amman and Synod President of the Evangelical Church in Jordan and the Holy Land Samer Azar said this “monumental occasion” was the chance to celebrate “the oneness and unity of the church”, pledging to continue working for future prosperity.  

The MECC consists of Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches, Azar noted, adding that several topics were discussed during the conference, including the churches’ influence on combating terrorism.

“The churches’ involvement in enhancing education, freedom of belief, justice and equality for its members has reflected positively on society by protecting them from extremist thoughts and beliefs,” he stated.

The Lutheran Church is an Arab and national church, said Bishop-elect Ibrahim Azar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, adding that it was created 150 years ago in Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

He said that several factors contributed to the event being held in the capital, such as the national safety and the atmosphere of pluralism. 

Rev. Paul Haidostian, president of the Haigazian University in Lebanon, and representatives of the Armenian Evangelical Church told The Jordan Times at the event that the churches’ contribution to education, art and music resulted in the creation of the first university in the region: the American University in Lebanon.

“It all started with the need to make the Bible available for all, as a result having operating some of the oldest print house, establishing the first schools for women, and universities, thus preserving the Arabic language.” 

Rev. Mitri Raheb, president of the Dar Al Kalima University in Palestine stressed the importance of translating the Bible to Arabic, saying that the book was being preached in churches in Arabic Fusha and that several generations have been trained on mastering it to preserve the language.  

Pastor Victor Macari, a member of Highland Presbyterian Church (US) said that women’s rights and youth immigration were among the challenges that were discussed at the event.

He said that youth immigration was of great concern to the church, which has held seminars to educate the youth on the importance of having an effective and positive participation in society rather than “fleeing”.  

Regarding women, Macari said that they are still facing many challenges in the region, such as employment, education, care and equality, among other issues that need to be highlighted among religious minorities. 

Ordained as the first female Evangelical minister in Lebanon and the Middle East, Pastor Najla Kassab told The Jordan Times that she was grateful for the Evangelical Church which in 1835 opened the first female church in Istanbul.

She stressed the need for churches and societies to enhance accountability to keep progressing.     

AMMAN — Hazim Khatib was sworn in on Sunday before His Majesty King Abdullah as the Kingdom’s ambassador to Morocco. 

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi attended the ceremony that took place at Al Husseiniya Palace, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

AMMAN — ICT Minister Majd Shweikeh, UN Undersecretary General and ESCWA Executive Secretary Mohamed Ali Alhakim on Sunday discussed means of cooperation between the two sides in the ICT sector.

Shweikeh highlighted the importance of cooperating with ESCWA and commended the role of the agency in supporting sustainable development efforts in several countries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. For his part, Alhakim praised Jordan’s achievements in the ICT sector, noting that technology has become a main contributor in various fields and is crucial in serving mankind. 

AMMAN — The participants in the 2nd Gulf-Jordanian Economic Forum in Amman have recommended that Jordan and Iraq join the Federation of Chambers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Sunday.

They said the recommendation seeks to boost the Jordan-Gulf economic development through new partnerships between businessmen. President of the Union of Arab Chambers Nael Kabariti said that the recommendations stressed the necessity of turning challenges into opportunities to enhance the Jordan-Gulf integration process.

AMMAN — The government on Saturday decided to raise the prices of gasoline, kerosene and diesel between 1.5 to 5 per cent, while maintaining the price of gas cylinders unchanged for October. 

The government’s decision, which went into effect on October 1 was taken in accordance with recommendations by the Fuel Pricing Committee, which convened on Saturday, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Under the decision, kerosene and diesel will be sold at JD0.520 per litre, up from JD0.495, marking a 5 per cent increase.

The cost of one litre of unleaded 90-octane gasoline will go up by 1.5 per cent, to be sold at JD0.6vvvv90, up from JD0.680. Additionally a litre of unleaded 95-octane gasoline will sell for JD0.910, up from JD0.895, recording an increase of 1.7 per cent.

A government committee meets monthly to adjust fuel prices to correspond with changes in oil prices in the international market.

The committee noted that the price of gas cylinders will remain unchanged at JD7, despite a real-term increase to JD8.36.

Prices of oil derivatives in the local market are calculated based on international prices, with the addition of other costs such as shipment, handling and taxes.

The committee said that it referred to international oil prices, which showed that the cost of a barrel of crude Brent oil went up to $55.95 in September compared to $51.54 in August, Petra reported.

All derivatives are subject to a JD0.006 stamp fee, in addition to other fixed fees related to transport, storage and insurance.

AMMAN — On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, which is annually celebrated on October 1, the Ministry of Social Development is presenting care services to the elderly and issuing licences for elderly houses, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The number of elderly people in Jordan stands at 540,000 according to the 2015 census, 99 per cent of whom live among their families, Social Development Ministry Spokesperson Fawwaz Ratrout said on Saturday.

He noted that there are 10 houses for the elderly in Jordan; six of them are affiliated with charity societies and four with the private sector. The ministry supervises the conditions of the elderly residents who total to 355 and incurs the costs of hosting more than half of them, Ratrout added.

This year’s theme for the International Day of Older Persons is: “Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society,” according to the UN website.

This day is about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people towards their families, communities and society at large, the website stated, adding that it focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.

This year’s theme highlights the link between tapping the talents and contributions of older persons and achieving the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, which is currently undergoing its third review and appraisal process.

Between 2015 and 2030, the period set to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, the number of senior citizens worldwide is set to increase by 56 per cent — from 901 million to more than 1.4 billion. 

By 2030, the number of people aged 60 and above will exceed that of young people between the ages of 15 and 24, the website added.

AMMAN — “Olympic weightlifting is a sport I have been passionate about for years, and I wanted to use it to help others and make a change in society,” said Waleed Abu Nada, a 19-year-old Palestinian-Jordanian studying in Spain.

A few months ago, he came back to Jordan for the summer with an idea in mind: to set up an Olympic weightlifting school in Al Baqaa refugee camp.

The idea of “The Champ Camp” came to him after he launched the first Olympic weightlifting school at his university in Spain. 

“The school was a tremendous success and the results were overwhelming,” he told The Jordan Times in a phone interview, adding “seeing how much of an impact [sport]  had on my friends who are privileged enough to study abroad and practise sports at any time inspired me to go back home with a mission.”

“Our weightlifting school is an escape for these kids from the troubles and consequences of poverty in the area, such as violence and drugs,” the 19-year-old said.

The largest refugee camp in Jordan, Al Baqaa currently hosts over 119,000 Palestinians who are confronted to major economic and social challenges, according to UNRWA.

“Al Baqaa is an area that is extremely poor, very crowded and has almost no opportunities for its inhabitants,” Abu Nada said, noting “I intended to highlight how Olympic weightlifting could help in saving the youth of that area.”

By setting up the weightlifting school, the young man said he gave those people a platform to “achieve and fulfil their dreams”.

“The struggles they face on a daily basis are truly unbelievable, but they are full of hope and heart,” he explained, citing the many young women who joined the school.

“This is a very progressive step towards empowering the females of the region, as a lot of work has been put into removing social stigmas and replacing them with positive notions on how females can do sport,” the student continued.

“There is no such thing as a boy’s-only sport,” he stressed, noting that the involvement of the young women has empowered them in an “extremely conservative society”.

Abu Nada recently released a documentary about his whole experience, highlighting how sport can be a solution to social struggles. “In the short movie, you can see what the life of a 14-year-old looks like in the camp. Working in the morning at a garage shop then training at night,” he said.

“I talked to the kids, their parents and the coach to better understand the difficulties they face. I built an intimate relationship with them and their families and it has been the most significant and eye-opening experience of my life,” he recalled. 

Within the first 24 hours of the movie being released, it received over 20,000 views, over 200 shares and gave the project a worldwide exposure. 

“The largest weightlifting communities and platforms from all over the world contacted me to support the project and helped with raising awareness and donations,” Abu Nada recalled.

With the help of these donors, he managed to get new equipment for the facility and he is now working towards collecting money to sustain the school for the generations to come.

“The experience has personally been an overwhelming one but the work is far from over, it has only just begun,” he stated, adding “I cannot be happier than I am today, knowing that these kids now live their lives and train with a goal in mind. They have taught me more than I could ever teach them.”

Urging people to use their passion for helping others, he concluded: “They are an incredible group of people that are simply lacking the means and resources to succeed in their lives.”

The 19-year-old does not aim to stop there: four years ago he implemented a sports based youth development strategy in Marka, wrote a book about it and became the youngest accredited author in Jordan at the time.