Local

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Sunday discussed means to enhance the "long-standing" relations between the two countries and the latest regional developments. 

The talks, held at the Prime Ministry, underscored the importance of building on the "historic and strategic" relations between Jordan and Qatar, with the two premiers stressing the importance of boosting cooperation in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

They also also went over ways to expand cooperation in key areas such as economic development, trade, investment and infrastructure, with Hassan highlighting Jordan's plans for large-scale projects, including in water, transport, railways and other critical infrastructure, as part of the Kingdom's Economic Modernisation Vision.

Both sides stressed the importance of holding regular meetings between the joint higher and trade committees and also using existing agreements and memoranda of understanding to further enhance bilateral relations.

They also discussed the regional developments, with a focus on the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza and Lebanon. The two prime ministers underlined the urgent need to bring an end to the aggression and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. 

They also reiterated support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), underlining its essential role in providing vital services to Palestinian refugees.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi attended the meeting.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission Željana Zovko. 

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty said Jordan is moving ahead with modernisation despite regional challenges, a Royal Court statement said. 

The King added that the recent parliamentary elections are the first step in a three-phase political modernisation plan aimed at promoting platform-based partisan action and increasing youth and women engagement.

His Majesty commended the EU's efforts in monitoring the electoral process, as well as its ongoing support for Jordan’s development efforts across various fields.

The meeting also covered regional developments, efforts to stop the Israeli war on Gaza and Lebanon, and international efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the statement said. 

For her part, the EU chief observer praised Jordan's political modernisation efforts, including conducting elections for the 20th House of Representatives. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Independent Election Commission President Musa Maaytah, and EU Ambassador to Jordan Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas attended the meeting.

AMMAN — Jordan's tourism sector is facing a significant economic challenge, as a decline in tourism revenue during the first ten months of 2024 coincides with a rise in outbound tourism spending, according to stakeholders.

Hasan Ali, a tour operator, said “The decline in European tourists has undoubtedly impacted us; we’ve had to rely more on regional visitors,” noting that bookings for tours have decreased as Arab tourists show less interest in visiting historical sites.

Recent data from the Central Bank of Jordan reveals that tourism revenue for the first ten months of 2024 totalled $6.153 billion, marking a 4.4 per cent decline compared with the same period in 2023, driven by a 6.6 per cent drop in tourist arrivals.

The report also highlights a 6.2 per cent increase in tourism revenue from expatriate Jordanians and an 11.6 per cent rise from Arab visitors, while revenue from European, American, and other international tourists declined.

Outbound tourism spending saw a 2 per cent increase during the same period compared with last year, according to CBJ.

Anas Rateb, owner of a local restaurant in Amman, said, “Arab and  foreign visitors tend to spend differently when visiting the Kingdom.” He pointed out that Arab visitors focus more on family-oriented activities, adventure tours, food, and shopping, whereas European and other foreign visitors typically seek historical tours and cultural experiences.

Hassan Musa, an employee at a souvenir shop in Madaba, said that the drop in European, American, and other foreign tourists has affected souvenir shops, which heavily rely on these visitors for revenue. 

“These tourists are generally more interested in purchasing handicrafts, traditional artefacts, and cultural souvenirs,” he noted.

AMMAN — The Cabinet, during a session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, on Saturday approved several economic and regulatory measures, and memoranda of understanding with regional and international partners. 

The decisions aim to support public sector modernisation, enhance cooperation, and boost economic activities, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

The Cabinet endorsed a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Social Development and Qatar’s Regulatory Authority for Charitable Activities. 

The Council of Ministers also approved a MoU on cybersecurity cooperation between Jordan and Japan with the aim of exchanging technical expertise and information in combating cyber attacks.

The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Ministry of Environment and Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment to cooperate on implementing Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement, focusing on sustainability and climate action.

As part of the government's roadmap for public sector modernisation, the Cabinet approved the performance management and evaluation instructions for 2024. 

The session also included the approval of a decision granting Saraya Mining Company the right to mine volcanic tuff in Mafraq Governorate.

Among the decisions was a bylaw for organising and monitoring public markets within the boundaries of the Greater Amman Municipality. 

The Council of Ministers also approved tax settlements for 46 companies and taxpayers. 

AMMAN — The Court of Cassation has upheld a February Criminal Court ruling, sentencing a man to eight years in prison with hard labour after convicting him of attempting to murder a man in Zarqa in November 2023.

The Criminal Court declared the 23-year-old defendant guilty of attempted murder on Nov. 1 and handed him a 12-year prison term.

However, the court decided to reduce the sentence to eight years because the 22-year-old victim dropped charges against the defendant.

Court papers said the victim and the defendant had old feuds.

On the day of the incident, the court maintained, the two met at a barber’s shop in downtown Zarqa.

When the two met, they “immediately attacked each other,” according to court papers.

“The defendant drew a switchblade and stabbed the defendant once in the chest,” court transcripts said.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital and survived the stabbing incident due to medical interventions, the court added.

The defendant did not contest his verdict at a higher court.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court’s attorney general asked the higher court to uphold the eight-year sentence.

The higher court ruled that the Criminal Court proceedings were accurate and that the defendant was given the appropriate punishment.

The Cassation Court bench comprised judges Mahmoud Ebtoush, Nayef Samarat, Hammad Ghzawi, Qassem Dughmi, and Mohammad Khashashneh.

AMMAN — Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh on Friday met with Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov to explore potential cooperation in gas and oil exploration.

The discussions, held on the sidelines of COP29, focused on boosting bilateral ties and leveraging shared expertise to advance energy projects, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Kharabsheh commended Azerbaijan’s "exceptional" efforts in hosting COP29, emphasising the country's pivotal role in driving global energy progress.

The meeting coincided with the COP29 Ministerial Session on Energy Initiatives, which saw the announcement of several commitments, including the Green Energy Pledge, the Green Energy Corridors Pledge, the Hydrogen Pledge, and the Global Energy Storage Pledge.

AMMAN — Jordanians took to the streets on Friday to express solidarity with Palestinians and Lebanese in their struggle against the ongoing Israeli aggressions on Gaza and Lebanon.

Participants in the rally that started at Al Husseini Mosque in Amman condemned the ongoing attacks on Palestinians and called for an end to the blockade of Gaza, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

They chanted slogans calling for an end to arms exports to Israel and praised the resilience of the Palestinian people, describing their struggle as a "struggle for survival against acts of genocide."

Participants commended Jordan’s efforts to stop the violence, highlighting the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause and its support for the peoples of Palestine and Lebanon in their fight against Israeli attacks.

Jordanian medical teams working in military field hospitals in Gaza and the West Bank were also praised for their efforts to provide critical care in these dire conditions. 

Participants acknowledged the role of the medical teams in treating the wounded and patients, despite the challenges posed by the ongoing aggression.

They also highlighted the coordination efforts between Jordanian medical staff and humanitarian organisations to ensure the timely and effective delivery of aid, including providing medical consultations, training local staff to deal with emergencies and raising awareness of Israeli aggression-related wounds and illnesses.

AMMAN — As November discounts continue to dominate the Kingdom's retail landscape, stakeholders are expressing growing concerns about the long-term impact of these sales events.

While they have certainly had a positive short-term impact, they have also contributed to the development of a "sales culture"—a consumer behaviour increasingly reliant on discounts, which disrupts regular retail cycles across various sectors.

Eyad Samara, an employee at a furniture store in Amman said: "Such discounts are a double-edged sword. In Jordan, we are witnessing a downturn in sales across different industries year after year."

While the November sales events provide a short-term boost for retailers, they come with long-term consequences for consumers, businesses, and the broader economy, Samara said. 

He added: "When sales increase in November due to these discounts, we usually experience a decline afterwards, sometimes lasting for a month or more."

The widespread popularity of November sales, such as White Friday, has significantly impacted the local economy, according to several retailers. 

They also highlighted that these sales events stimulate increased consumer spending, but they also expose deeper issues, such as over-reliance on sales periods and excessive consumption of non-essential goods, which negatively affect other retail cycles throughout the year.

Baraa Awad, a marketing specialist, noted that many retail clients have seen over a 30 per cent increase in online sales since the beginning of November, signalling a significant shift in consumer behaviour when compared with periods without discounts.

Mohammad Marwan, a fashion retailer, highlighted that the long-term effects are more concerning, saying: "Retailers often sacrifice profitability just to attract customers. Over time, this can lead to financial instability, especially for smaller businesses in the country."

Marwan also said: "While my shop's sales have increased by 40-50 per cent since the beginning of November, rising operational costs mean that the expected profit margin has not materialised."

AMMAN — HRH Prince Raad Bin Zeid on Saturday honoured the families of corneal donors at a ceremony organised by the Friends of the Jordan Eye Bank Society, with support from the Jordan Islamic Bank.

During the event, Jordan Eye Bank Director Muawiya Bdour highlighted the critical importance of promoting a culture of donation, stressing the society's role in restoring sight and improving the quality of life for recipients, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Providing an overview of corneal donation and transplantation in Jordan, Bdour said that since 1992, 5,130 corneas have been transplanted from local donors, while 1,163 corneas were imported from abroad between 1979 and 1991.

Grand Mufti Ahmad Hasanat stressed that the Sharia (Islamic law) permits corneal donation, calling it a charitable act that preserves life.

Director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre Nabil Haddad stressed that corneal donation is not only permissible in Christianity but is also viewed as an act of compassion and love for others. 

Haddad emphasised that all major religions share a common commitment to promoting the well-being of humanity.

At the end of the ceremony, Prince Raad handed over certificates of appreciation and plaques to donors and their families and representatives of sponsors of the society.

AMMAN — A few years ago, before the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, the archaeological team from Polish Centre of the Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, conducted two seasons of fieldwork at Khirbat es-Sar in western outskirts of Amman. 

The aim of the research in 2018 and 2019 was to understand the nature and chronology of that spectacular site which, occupying an excellent strategic position, was topped with a monumental architectural complex. 

“‘Ammonite tower’ re-used in the Roman Period as a temple and an arcaded courtyard added to it, this compound is surrounded by unspecified walls apparently of later periods,” noted the professor Mariusz Burdajewicz, adding that in 2018, a reconnaissance survey was conducted within the area fenced by the Department of Antiquities, during which a preliminary plan of the site was worked out. 

"Earthen floors demonstrated that the site was densely inhabited, and the Roman structures were extensively re-used starting from the Abbasid times, but especially in the Ayyubid-Mamluk period," Burdajewicz said, noting that no Byzantine to Umayyad-period architectural remains have been identified, which requires further investigation in the area. 

The results of the preliminary fieldwork at Khirbat as-Sar have confirmed the considerable scientific potential of the site. 

Furthermore, in 2022, a new research project of the Faculty of Archaeology, University of Warsaw, has been launched financed by the National Science Centre  and that project addresses the dynamics of the relationship of the hinterland/periphery with the city/town in Central Transjordan. 

"It is based on investigations at Khirbat es-Sar against the background of historical and cultural development of Amman, covering the period from the Ammonite Iron Age to the Middle Islamic period [c. 8th century BC - 14th century AD]. Among several research objectives, two issues will be crucial to understanding the nature of the site," Burdajewicz noted.

The Iron Age II period: a much-debated issue concerning tower structures (some of them square and some round) built around Amman and so characteristic of its periphery landscape. 

Archaeologists speculated about the function of the structures at Khirbet es Sara, whether there were watchtowers, storage or housing for the local community.

"Possibly the towers were not military structures built and operated by the state but constructed by local communities to protect agricultural installations from nomadic raids. It is also questionable who built the towers: either the Ammonites, which may seem obvious, or the Assyrians during their imperial expansion to the south," Burdajewicz stressed.

During the Greco-Roman Period, the tower was adapted for a temple with the classical Vitruvian order (fragments of Ionic column bases still preserved in the vestibule) and an arcaded courtyard was added to it in the Roman times, c. 3rd century AD. At that time, the site was probably an important religious centre, whose monumental character indicates prominence beyond just local. 

Nevertheless, the possible connections to religious cults in the capital itself remain to be determined. 

"It is obvious that the future study of the sacred complex at Khirbat es-Sar should be placed in a wider perspective of the process of Hellenisation and Romanisation of indigenous cults in the Graeco Roman East. This issue, common to other cities of Decapolis, still needs investigation and clarification. Numismatic, epigraphic, and, to a lesser extent, archaeological sources provide information about the religious life in Philadelphia," Burdajewicz underlined, adding that among the most popular deities worshipped in the city, the following should be mentioned: Zeus Ammon, Heracles, Tyche, Demeter, Athena, Aphrodite, Dionysos, Hermes, Harpokrates. 

Further research may determine whether any of these deities, or some others, were worshipped in Khirbat es-Sar. It remains undetermined but most of temples were on Amman Citadel.

One of them is the temple of Heracles, also an altar or temple dedicated to the Ammonite god Milkom. 

"In the chora of Philadelphia at least two extra-muros temples/ sanctuaries have been localised. One is attested only by the epigraphical evidence from Ragib, ca. 12km southeast from the Amman Citadel. An inscription found in the city necropolis refers to the sanctuary of Zeus and Demeter [Astarte]. The other temple is known from the ruins at Khirbat Suq, 14 km south of the centre of Amman," Burdajewicz underlined, adding that the temple consists of cella, vestibule and a courtyard, probably surrounded by a wall. 

The columns are topped with Ionian capitals, the professor said. 

“The case of the tower temple at Khirbat es-Sar seems to be particularly promising and offers a chance of gaining new and essential information regarding the religious life in Philadelphia,” Burdajewicz said, adding that this is because this hybrid structure presents a unique combination of the native architecture rooted in the Iron Age with elements of classical Greco-Roman temples. 

"An extremely important task is also to determine the structural and, above all, functional relationship between the tower temple and the chronologically later arcaded courtyard in front of it," Burdajewicz concluded.