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AMMAN — Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Latin Patriarchate School in Marka as part of his ongoing pastoral visits in Jordan this month. 

The Cardinal took time to revisit the situation of Iraqi refugees at the school, a topic he first explored a few years ago.

“I wanted to understand their perspectives,” said Cardinal Pizzaballa. However, he was surprised to learn that the number of Iraqi refugees at the school has remained relatively steady. “The turnover of families —those coming and those leaving— is much more reduced than expected,” he told The Jordan Times.

The school, founded in 2014 by Father Khalil Jaar, serves some 200 students, aged 6 to 15, and is supported by a staff of 14 teachers.

Pizzaballa also acknowledged the ongoing financial challenges facing the school, which serves many displaced families. 

When asked about the potential for the Church to increase its efforts to fund the project, he remarked: “We are paying attention to the poorest and most neglected realities, and this is our priority.”

His visit underscores his continued commitment to understanding the challenges faced by refugees in Jordan and highlights the Latin Patriarchate’s role in supporting displaced communities, despite the financial constraints.

AMMAN — The Belgian Residence in Amman hosted a reception on Thursday to mark King’s Day, a celebration of Belgium’s monarchy and its "enduring values of stability and governance." 

The event, organised by Belgian Ambassador to Jordan Serge Dickschen, highlighted the "deep" ties between Belgium and Jordan, emphasising their shared commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation in challenging times. 

Observed annually on November 15 since 1866, King’s Day not only honours the King Philippe of Belgium but also celebrates the parliamentary monarchy that has guided Belgium for nearly two centuries. 

Dickschen described the occasion as a moment to reflect on a system built on the separation of powers and strong respect for fundamental rights, which has ensured prosperity and continuity for generations. 

Belgium and Jordan, both constitutional monarchies, share a "long-standing" relationship rooted in mutual respect and shared values. 

According to Dickschen, these ties are further strengthened not only by the bonds between the two royal families but also by practical collaborations in fields such as education, military, and humanitarian initiatives. 

“We thank Jordan for being a voice of peace,” Dickschen told The Jordan Times, highlighting Jordan’s role as a stabilising force in the region. “Belgium is focused on supporting Jordan’s efforts to maintain stability,” he added.  

Amidst the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank, Belgium has strongly advocated for de-escalation, with the ambassador reaffirming his country’s call for a ceasefire and the removal of barriers to humanitarian aid. 

He praised Jordan’s efforts in leading the response, adding that Belgium has provided airdrops to Gaza following Jordan’s call and under the guidance of the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO). 

“However, temporary measures cannot resolve deep-rooted issues,” Dickshen said, describing the West Bank as a ticking time bomb, citing the dangers of ongoing colonisation and unchecked violence. 

“What is needed is an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to allow negotiations leading to the existence of two separate states in full control of their destiny,” he added. 

The ambassador also voiced concern over the situation in Lebanon, which has seen civilian areas targeted. “This escalation threatens to destabilise the broader region and requires urgent international action,” he noted. 

For the Belgian community in Jordan, King’s Day is more than a celebration of their monarchy; it is also a reminder of the enduring connections between the two nations. Though small, the community includes many bi-nationals who act as bridges between Belgium and Jordan, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

AMMAN — Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh on Saturday highlighted the Kingdom's leadership in linking climate action with cultural and youth priorities.

In a meeting with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Chair James Ferguson, on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Radaideh emphasised the need for greater involvement of scholars from developing countries in shaping the IPCC's forthcoming Seventh Assessment Report.

He also highlighted Jordan's scientific contributions to the panel's work, demonstrating the Kingdom's active role in global climate efforts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Speaking at a ministerial session on integrating cultural heritage into climate initiatives, Radaideh reiterated the Kingdom's support for the global call to place cultural heritage, arts and creative sectors at the heart of climate action.

He suggested combining heritage-based approaches with nature-based solutions to address climate challenges, describing Jordan's efforts to position cultural heritage as an "important" component of international climate strategies.

Youth engagement was another focus of Jordan's participation at COP29, with a group of young Jordanian climate advocates joining Radaideh for a session on empowering youth in climate action.

Hala Wishah, a prominent Jordanian climate activist, gave a presentation outlining Jordan's vision for supporting and empowering young people to take the lead in addressing the climate crisis.

Wishah's speech received praise, and several of her proposals were included in the session's final recommendations on youth empowerment in climate action.

AMMAN — Amid a growing dispute with insurance companies, Jordan Medical Association (JMA) President Ziad Zoubi said on Saturday that doctors will provide free treatment to patients unable to afford medical services, stressing that emergency cases will be treated regardless of payment ability or insurance status.

The new 2024 medical fee schedule, which officially came into effect on Saturday, has sparked controversy as Zoubi accused insurance companies, associations and unions of delaying its implementation despite its official publication in the Official Gazette, according to Al Mamlaka TV.  

Zoubi criticised insurance companies for issuing unauthorised fee schedules, asserting that only the tariff published in the Official Gazette is valid.

He also called on insurance companies to comply with the 2024 fee schedule, warning that non-compliance could lead to a boycott of their services by doctors. 

Zoubi stressed that while treatment will continue, patients will be required to pay in cash, after which doctors will issue invoices for reimbursement claims from insurance providers. 

“Those who cannot pay will receive free treatment, and emergency cases will be treated regardless of insurance coverage,” he said.

The JMA also urged hospitals to adhere to its directives, urging hospital managers and doctors to follow the association’s guidelines in cases of dispute.

Zoubi warned that violations of these guidelines could result in legal action.

Regarding the fee structure, Zoubi highlighted that the minimum consultation fee is set at JD15 for specialists and JD10 for general practitioners.

He also encouraged patients to report any overcharges to the JMA, assuring them of refunds in such cases.

AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan on Thursday conveyed a letter from His Majesty King Abdullah to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jordan and Japan.

The letter was delivered during Prince El Hassan's meeting with Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary and Acting Prime Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa as part of Prince Hassan's to Tokyo, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

In the letter, King Abdullah reiterated his commitment to boosting the partnership between Jordan and Japan, expressing gratitude for Japan's support of Jordan's development initiatives and humanitarian aid for refugees in the Kingdom. 

His Majesty also congratulated the Japanese prime minister on his new role, wishing him success and expressing hope for ongoing progress and prosperity for the Japanese people.

AMMAN — Jordan on Thursday marked the 89th anniversary of the birth of His Majesty the late King Hussein, who reigned for nearly five decades.

A direct descendant of Prophet Mohammad, King Hussein was born on November 14, 1935 as the eldest son of King Talal and Queen Zein Al Sharaf.

Hussein was proclaimed King of Jordan on August 11, 1952 and a Regency Council was appointed until his formal accession to the Throne on May 2, 1953, when he assumed his constitutional powers after reaching the age of 18, according to the Islamic calendar.

The King studied at the Islamic Science College and then enrolled in Victoria College in Alexandria. In 1951, he entered Harrow College in England before receiving his military education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, graduating in 1953.

Throughout his 47-year reign, King Hussein worked hard to advance his country and raise citizens’ living standards. He also focused on building an economic and industrial infrastructure that advanced the quality of life of the Jordanian people.

During his reign, primary education became mandatory, and schools were established across the Kingdom`s cities, villages and rural areas, allowing Jordan to become among one of the leading countries in the Arab world in terms of literacy.

King Hussein also focused on improving higher education, and dozens of public and private universities and colleges were built under his rule.

He also worked tirelessly throughout his reign to promote peace in the Middle East.

After the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, he was instrumental in drafting UN Security Council Resolution 242, which called on Israel to withdraw from all Arab lands occupied in the 1967 War in exchange for peace. The resolution has served as the benchmark for all subsequent peace negotiations.

In 1991, King Hussein played a pivotal role in convening the Madrid Peace Conference, providing an "umbrella" for Palestinians to negotiate their future as part of a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation.

The 1994 Peace Treaty between Jordan and Israel was a major step towards achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The late King’s commitment to democracy, civil liberties and human rights has also helped pave the way for Jordan to become a model state in the region.

At the time of his death on February 7, 1999, King Hussein was the longest serving executive head of state in the world.

His Majesty the late King Hussein is survived by five sons and six daughters.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, in a phone call on Thursday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussed Arab efforts to end the war on Gaza and Lebanon.

Discussions during the call covered the need to build on the outcomes of the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit held recently in Riyadh, to reach comprehensive regional calm and bolster the humanitarian response in Gaza, according to a Royal Court statement.

The two leaders also discussed the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and the UAE, and ways to expand cooperation across all sectors, the statement said.

AMMAN — A delegation from the Kurdistan Investment Board visited the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) to explore its “successful” approach to developing special economic zones.

The visit aimed to identify strategies and practices that could enhance the investment environment and support sustainable development in the Kurdistan Region, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

During the visit, Commissioner for Leadership and Community Development at ASEZA Ramzi Kabariti reviewed the authority’s incentives and benefits designed to attract investment.

He stressed ASEZA’s “secure and stable” environment and its strategic location, which links Aqaba to global markets through various free trade agreements.

Kabariti also provided an overview of ASEZA’s organisational structure, which ensures efficient coordination across departments to deliver high-quality services to investors.

The delegates were briefed on Aqaba’s long-term development plans, including the Comprehensive Aqaba Plan for 2024-2040 and the strategic plan for 2024-2028.

These initiatives aim to enhance Aqaba’s standing as a leading investment hub both regionally and globally, drawing high-quality investments that contribute to the local economy and foster sustainable growth, Petra added.

The delegation was also acquainted with ASEZA’s “One-Stop Shop” service, designed to streamline investor processes by offering integrated services at a single point of contact, simplifying administrative procedures and improving the overall investor experience.

The delegation also toured Aqaba’s ports, transportation, and logistic systems, which play a pivotal role in facilitating trade and investment in the region.

The group also visited industrial and economic zones, assessing the area’s logistics capabilities and advanced infrastructure.

The Kurdistan delegation expressed admiration for Aqaba’s model, referring to its potential to inform the development of special economic zones in Kurdistan.

The delegates underscored the importance of the collaboration between the two sides to enhance economic ties and investment opportunities.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah has received cables from senior officials and officers on the anniversary of the late King Hussein's birth,which falls on 14 November.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein received similar cables on the occasion, according to a Royal Court statement.

AMMAN — Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani on Thursday reiterated their commitment to boosting bilateral cooperation, stressing the shared interests and strong ties between the two countries.

In a phone call, Sudani congratulated Hassan on the formation of his government and extended his best wishes for success in his new role, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. 

Hassan and Sudani highlighted the longstanding relationship between their countries and discussed ways to enhance economic cooperation and expand trade.

The prime ministers also highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation with Egypt, highlighting the mutual benefits of regional partnerships. 

Their conversation also touched on Thursday's FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers match in Basra between Jordan and Iraq, with both prime ministers expressing their support for their national teams and sharing hopes for qualifying for the finals.

Hassan also expressed his appreciation to Sudani and the Iraqi authorities for their warm hospitality towards Jordan’s national football team and the Jordanian fans who travelled to Iraq for the match.