King attends Independence Day celebration, honours achievers

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday attended the official national celebration marking the 69th Independence Day with Her Majesty Queen Rania and HRH Crown Prince Hussein, a Royal Court statement said.

The national anthem was played upon the King’s arrival at Raghadan Palace where the celebration was held and F-16 jets from the Royal Jordanian Air Force performed an aerobatics show.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour, Senate President Abdur-Ra’uf S. Rawabdeh, Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh, and Judicial Council President Hisham Tal attended the celebration and delivered speeches.

Ensour said Jordanians celebrate the occasion while taking pride in the country’s achievements and looking forward to a bright future.

The premier added that His Majesty envisions a future where young Jordanians lead the way; the media sector takes on the mantle of freedom, education and awareness; education is progressive; and government institutions serve people rather than rule them.

Rawabdeh commended Jordan’s achievements.

“Celebrating our great achievement is an annual opportunity to review and evaluate our performance. Have we progressed towards our goals? Have we become stronger against our enemies?… We have achieved so much, beyond the limits of our capabilities, and have protected our homeland,” he said.

Tarawneh mostly tackled the issues of war, security and terrorism noting that “we live amidst a turbulent region”, but the country enjoys safety and stability thanks to its security institutions and the awareness of the public.

Tal spoke about the policy and strategy of the Judicial Council, including “supporting the judiciary with graduates from the Judicial Institute of Jordan or qualified lawyers, supervising their progress… and assigning them to courts after they pass training and qualification requirements”.

The King awarded Royal medals to national institutions and a number of pioneers in various sectors for their efforts in building the country and enhancing its progress.

The Royal medals include the Order of Independence, which is one of the first medals ever to be bestowed by the Kingdom on deserving individuals and is divided into five classes, according to the Royal Court.

The Order of Independence is granted to prime ministers, ministers, and ambassadors to the Kingdom upon concluding their tenure in Jordan. It is also given to other achievers based on their level of service and official rank.

The Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions, issued by His Majesty the late King Hussein on March 29, 1997, is divided into two classes. 

The medal is granted to those who have made distinguished contributions to society, according to the Royal Court. 

It can be bestowed on any person for any distinguished contribution in any area without limitation. 

Royal family members, senior officials and officers, diplomats, representatives of political parties, commissions, syndicates, and civil community institutions attended Monday’s celebration.

Medal recipients

Following is the list of those who received medals on the occasion of the 69th Independence Day:

Mohammad Thneibat — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the First Class for his efforts in developing the education sector 

Said Darwazeh — Order of Independence of the First Class for his role in developing the pharmaceutical industry

Michel Hamarneh — Order of Independence of the First Class for his contributions to enhancing human communication

Issam Arabiyyat — Order of Independence of the First Class for his services during his career in Sharia courts

Anwar Batikhi — Order of Independence of the First Class for his scientific and academic achievements

Yarmouk University's faculty of mass communication — Order of Independence of the First Class for its contributions in developing media education 

Walid Tahabsem — Order of Independence of the Second Class for his efforts in improving the ICT sector 

Rostom Mekhjian — Order of Independence of the Second Class for his efforts in supporting the tourism sector and his contributions to including the Baptism Site on the religious map and World Heritage List

The Jordanian Women's Qualifying and Training Society — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class for contributions to social development work and local community service

Nuha Maaitah — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class for her contributions to empowering women 

Samiha Khreis — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class for her contributions in creative writing and enriching the Jordanian and Arab cultural movement

Taha Natour — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class for his entrepreneurial role in the agricultural sector, especially in fish breeding 

Rawan Barakat — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class for her voluntary work for people with disabilities 

Hussein Jimzawi — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Second Class for his efforts in voluntary work to serve underprivileged school and university students

Mohammad Ahyawat — Order of Al Hussein for Distinguished Contributions of the Third Class for his efforts in encouraging local tourism and promoting tourist sites.  

Fatima Dahamsheh — Order of Independence of the Third Class for her community service in the areas of women empowerment and care for people with disabilities