Awards honour creative Jordanians in culture, science

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Thursday honoured the winners of the state’s appreciation awards for 2014.

Jordanian novelists Jamal Naji, Samiha Khreis and Laila Atrash tied for the award for achievement in literature.

The award for drama direction went to directors Adnan Ramahi and Mwaffaq Salah.

Constitutional Court member Numan Khatib and legal researcher at the same court Laith Nasraween shared the award for excellence in social sciences, specifically in the field of constitutional law, while physician Abdullah Oweidi Abbadi bagged the award for achievement in science for his work in oncology.

Filmmaker Mutaz Jankot was also honoured for his documentary “Home”.

Speaking at the ceremony, held at the Royal Cultural Centre, Culture Minister Lana Mamkegh said the awards, supported by the ministry since 1977, celebrate creativity, noting that Jordan — despite being a small country — is a success story of innovation and excellence.