King inaugurates 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session, delivers Speech from the Throne

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday inaugurated the 19th Parliament’s non-ordinary session and delivered the Speech from the Throne.

Addressing Jordanians, King Abdullah said in the speech: “You are the people of resolve. Let us show our patriotism in action, dedication and achievement, so that Jordan would remain strong and proud, and your heads remain held high,” according to a Royal Court statement

Noting that Jordan is preparing to usher in the state’s centennial, His Majesty said: “Those who know this nation’s history, stand in awe of its journey, over a hundred years, as it stood tall and proud like Jordan’s mountains, and as it was built with the resolve of its people.”

The King said Jordan has successfully held parliamentary elections, despite COVID-19, adding that the priority in dealing with the pandemic is the health and wellbeing of citizens, and continuing to safeguard the national economy.

His Majesty noted that senators, representatives, and government officials must work as a team to advance Jordan’s national progress, in service of Jordanians.

The three branches of power, the King stressed, must work within a framework of partnership and integration, and away from self-centred and narrow interests.

“Public trust in state institutions is paramount, and this calls for further action to improve services, especially in the health, education and transportation sectors,” His Majesty said.

The King also reaffirmed Jordan’s position on the Palestinian cause, noting that “denying the Palestinian people their just and legitimate rights is the very reason our region continues to suffer conflict and instability”.

Moreover, His Majesty reiterated commitment to the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, saying, “The Hashemite Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites is a duty, a commitment, a firm belief, and a responsibility we have proudly undertaken for more than a hundred years.”

Following is the full English translation.

“In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

Prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad,

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you,

In the name of God, and with His blessings, we inaugurate the non-ordinary session of the Nineteenth Parliament. I am delighted to extend to you my congratulations, for winning the trust of the nation’s sons and daughters.

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

Never have difficult circumstances prevented us from continuing the democratisation process, nor had it stopped us from adhering to constitutional requirements. With God’s blessings, we have successfully held parliamentary elections, despite the coronavirus pandemic, which is testament to the determination and strong will of Jordanians.

Today, your Assembly convenes as our state confidently prepares to usher in its second centennial. This compels everyone—senators, representatives, and Government—to work as a team to advance our national progress, in service of the nation’s sons and daughters, and future generations.

This nation, with God’s blessings and the strength of its people, is capable of forging ahead, with resolve and determination. Our state is youthful with its young population, mighty in its accomplishments, and resilient with the unity of its people.

Those who know this nation’s history, stand in awe of its journey, over a hundred years, as it stood tall and proud like Jordan’s mountains, and as it was built with the resolve of its people, and the sacrifices of the ancestors, who achieved so much with so little, and wrote the success story that is Jordan. We salute Jordan and its formidable people.

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

What this exceptional period demands is clear, and we have indicated it in our Letter of Designation to the Government. And you are all well aware of the great responsibilities incumbent upon us all. The priority in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic is the health and wellbeing of citizens, and continuing to safeguard the national economy. This calls for devising plans and programmes, and taking actionable, informed decisions, as well as engaging in an active partnership with the private sector.

We are aware that the world is facing economic setbacks due to the COVID-19 crisis. As part of this world, we must capitalise on our promising opportunities, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, and in medical equipment manufacturing and agriculture.

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

The role of Parliament, as outlined in the Constitution, must be focused on oversight and legislation, within a framework of partnership and integration among the three branches of power, and away from self-centred and narrow interests.

Public trust in state institutions is paramount, and this calls for further action to improve services, especially in the health, education and transportation sectors. Transparency, openness, and achievement should define the Government’s approach.

Speaking of trust, it is best reflected in public confidence in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army and security agencies, and their efficiency and competence. We, therefore, reaffirm the importance of supporting our Armed Forces and security agencies, who set an example in sacrifice. To them, current and retired personnel, we give our appreciation and support.

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

Safeguarding citizens’ rights and upholding the fundamentals of justice and equality are the responsibility of the Judiciary, in which we place our trust and pride, and whose role we are keen to empower, in order to enable it to continue maintaining justice and upholding the rule of law.

Combating corruption in all its forms is a national priority, and further relentless efforts are required to counter this scourge. Public funds are safeguarded; abusing them is a crime against the nation and its people; and those abusing them must be held accountable, whoever they are.

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

Achieving just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution is our strategic choice, and it must guarantee the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Denying the Palestinian people their just and legitimate rights is the very reason our region continues to suffer conflict and instability.

We have not, and will never, waver from defending Jerusalem, its holy sites, its identity, and its history. The Hashemite Custodianship of Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites is a duty, a commitment, a firm belief, and a responsibility we have proudly undertaken for more than a hundred years. Jerusalem is the symbol of peace, and we will not accept any attempts to alter its historical and legal status quo, nor attempts of temporal or spatial division of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

Honourable Senators,

Honourable Representatives,

From this podium, I say to each and every member of our Jordanian family: you are the people of resolve. Let us show our patriotism in action, dedication and achievement, so that Jordan would remain strong and proud, and your heads remain held high. I ask the Almighty to help us all serve our precious homeland and our dear people.

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.”

Earlier, an official ceremony was held on the King’s arrival at Parliament, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Hussein.

His Majesty was received by heads of the three authorities and a number of senior officials and officers.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of public safety measures was observed at the ceremony.