jordan pulse -

AMMAN — Writing about a man who embodies an entire city is no easy task.
Al-Salt is far more than its iconic yellow limestone, its ancient homes clinging to mountain slopes, or its stone stairways that have echoed with generations of footfalls for centuries. Al-Salt is a spirit—a rare human condition. Step into its streets, and time seems to slow down. People still know each other by name, measuring a man’s worth not by his titles, but by the legacy he leaves behind.
Long before "coexistence" became a modern buzzword, minarets intertwined with church bells in Al-Salt. Neighborhood bonds ran deeper than differences, a passing greeting was a duty rather than a courtesy, and a man was judged by his generosity, honesty, and character. This was not merely the city where Sakher Abu Anza was born; it was his first school, sculpting his identity and bestowing upon him qualities that have never left him.
When Abu Anza famously declares, "I am like Al-Salt," it is no casual remark. Like the city, he aims to be welcoming, affectionate, and fiercely devoted to his people. Raised among the stone houses of the Al-Jad'ah neighborhood, he knows its intricacies like the back of his hand—every staircase leading to an alleyway, every window overlooking a story, and every lane holding a piece of Al-Salt’s heritage. At the historic Al-Qammaz Café, he didn't just sit to drink coffee; he listened to the people, their debates, and the simple rhythm of a life that forged character before it ever created fame.
From those roots emerged a personality as calm as an Al-Salt morning, as firm as its bedrock, as lively as its bustling markets, and as warm as its homes, where doors open for guests before they even knock. Raised in a town that saw only humanity in human beings, he grew up oblivious to sectarian or tribal divides—firmly believing throughout his life that Jordan is far greater than any label, and that love is the only language worth speaking.
A Legacy of Honor and Family
Such values were natural for a man raised in a revered household. From his late father, Saad Suleiman Abu Anza, Sakher inherited a proud name, an irreproachable reputation, generous hospitality, and a deep respect for others. His father was one of those rare men whose honorable memory remains timeless. Sakher carried this legacy quietly, honoring it through deeds rather than words. Meanwhile, his mother, Um Sakher, remains one of the most beloved and respected figures in Al-Salt—a woman who personifies authenticity and whose presence instilled values above all else.
Sakher Abu Anza never chased the spotlight; rather, the spotlight repeatedly found him. Carrying the weight of his family's reputation, he understood that preserving a good name is often far more challenging than making one.
Through life's journey, he did not walk alone. Beside him stood his wife, Wafa Al-Mallah—not merely a partner in the traditional sense, but a companion through every turn of the road. She stood steadfast alongside him through years filled with challenges, triumphs, and setbacks. Knowing that choosing the written word as a vocation carries a steep price, she never asked him to retreat, encouraging him instead to stay true to his pen and convictions.
At home, Abu Anza sheds the noise of politics and media to be simply a father to Muath, Saad, and Mira, and a grandfather finding late-blooming joy in Sanad, Zaid, and Naya. Completing his tight-knit inner circle is his brother-in-law, Falah Tubaishat, in a bond built on mutual respect and affection.
Four Decades at the Heart of Jordanian Media
Even when his career drew him to Amman and beyond, Al-Salt never left him. It lives on in his subtle accent, his welcoming demeanor, and his insistence on keeping an open door for everyone—just like the traditional homes of his youth.
With over 40 years dedicated to journalism, media was never just a morning job for Abu Anza; it was a life's calling. He witnessed governments come and go, reported on pivotal events shaping modern Jordan, and remained an active player in the landscape—writing, critiquing, defending, and engaging, but never abandoning his core belief that Jordan deserves the honest truth.
He paid the price for that conviction more than once, even tasting the bitterness of imprisonment when his writings ruffled official feathers. Yet, he never wore those moments as a badge of heroism, maintaining that if a journalist never pays a price for their stance, they ought to question the true purpose of their mission.
When he founded Al-Shahed Media Group, he wasn't merely looking to build a competing news outlet; he wanted to a home for the written word. Through Al-Shahed, Rum Online Agency, Al-Mala'eb newspaper, and other platforms, he left a distinct mark on the Jordanian media landscape, pioneering a school of thought that treats news as a public responsibility.
His vast network—spanning prime ministers, cabinet members, lawmakers, athletes, artists, and intellectuals—was never built on titles, but on trust earned over decades. He mastered the art of disagreeing without losing goodwill, maintaining open dialogue without compromising his principles.
Unchanged by the Years
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of Sakher Abu Anza is that, despite the passage of time, he remains fundamentally the same youth who sat at Al-Qammaz Café, listening more than he spoke.
High offices never altered his character. Even when stepping out of a luxury car wearing a fine tailored suit, adjusting his tie, or rolling a set of premium prayer beads through his fingers, he remains an authentic son of Al-Jad'ah at heart—equally at home sitting on a simple roadside bench right outside the doors of Al-Qammaz.
On his birthday, the celebration is not about counting the passing years, but honoring what remains in people's hearts: a man who carried Al-Salt in his heart, Jordan in his words, and the people in his conscience.