'Thank you Jordan'

Very kindly, yesterday [Friday] my walking stick was returned, brought to our house in the UK. I never thought I would see it again after it was forcibly taken from me at the Amman airport by a security official on November 20. When I protested that I needed it and watched others with walking sticks not being targeted, I was told that if I didn’t relinquish it we would be taken off the flight. It is a special walking stick, an ebony Malawian Chief’s stick — a present from my wife. She thought it gave this 87-year-old some dignity, now that I use a stick when I have to walk long distances.

My wife — Dr Sue Jones — with her long-term relationship with Jordan, through the Urban Development Department, the Ministry of Social Development and the Jabal Bani Hamida bedouin women weavers — has always said that Jordan has a special place for her (in spite of working in many countries), because of the great sense of hospitality and the kindness it — and its people — have shown her over the years. Only now do I truly understand what she means. 

His Majesty King Abdullah II read the letter and asked his Royal Court officials to take action. I want sincerely to thank King Abdullah, the Royal Court officials as well as the various people that helped to reunite me with my walking stick — Jacky Sawalha for encouraging us to write to The Jordan Times, The Jordan Times for printing the letter, all the friends who sent commiserations, Royal Jordanian airlines who did not destroy it and the Jordan embassy in London which then made sure it would be returned. 

As you get older, you so appreciate it when people are caring. 

Thank you Jordan.

Peter Ind
UK