jordan pulse -

One of the most striking paradoxes we’ve come to know since becoming aware of this world is that influence and power are necessarily tied to size, capabilities, and the enormity of wealth. Nature dictates this… except here in Jordan. How else could a country, comparable in geographic size and population to a neighborhood in a major global city, play a political role described over decades as pivotal, influencing its surroundings and the world through prudent diplomacy and balanced relationships that have earned it international respect over the years?

The most astonishing paradox is that this occurs in a nation subjected to all sorts of political pressures and complex accusations, affected by everything happening around it, yet remains strong, cohesive, and maintains a central role.

This is Jordan, spoken of by His Majesty King Abdullah II on the day of the Jubilee, pinpointing pivotal points in a quarter-century, the years of his blessed reign, touching on the people’s concerns, and dispelling their worries about the future.

In the week of the Jubilee, Independence, and the Army, the King involved the people in reading the scene of which they are a part. In successes and failures, he did not hesitate to mention the setbacks and frustrations before the achievements and resolutions, in the key moments of our Lord’s engagement with his Jordanian family. There are images of awareness, frankness, and pure love.

He is the King who witnessed limitless achievements created by him and his people, while crises surged every few years to hinder and complicate the journey, yet they could not stop the determination to move forward.

The Iraq crisis and its war, then the repeated Israeli assaults on Gaza and South Lebanon, the Arab Spring with all its consequences, the wave of terrorism and extremist organizations, the neighboring situations in Syria and Iraq, and others, then the coronavirus, the war in Ukraine, the maritime transport crisis, and the latest episode in Gaza… Amid all these crises, many bet on Jordan’s downfall, yet it emerged more cohesive and fortified. Many who bet against it left, and it remained… What about the pressures of the ‘Deal of the Century’?

Do you remember the scenes of global markets whose shelves were emptied of goods in major countries when global supply chains and trade were affected? Our markets were bustling with goods.

Why did we emerge from all these crises with the King more fortified and more determined? Because, as the King said in 2012, we are the system, and what unites us is much more than what divides us.

The King’s speech was a moment of reflection in communication with his people, a Hashemite moment of nobility in the meaning of frankness among the members of one family.

Days before the Jubilee, the Crown Prince, Prince Hussein, in turn, expressed in the language of a young Jordanian Hashemite, who took example and guidance from his leader, the meanings of honesty and transparency between the Hashemite leadership and Jordanians. “The King says in closed rooms what he says outside.”

The Crown Prince’s speech was another lesson in understanding that what we deeply believe in reaches with the same honesty, love, and depth, even in areas we thought were minefields. The Prince spoke confidently, “We are not ashamed of our diverse origins in Jordan, and we are all proud of that.”

On the night of the Jubilee, the King wanted it to be the beginning of a new page of work and effort. The world responded to His Majesty’s initiative to hold an international conference for the humanitarian response to Gaza.

At the Dead Sea, there was a true restoration of Jordan’s pivotal role with strength from international appreciation and based on the Jordanian humanitarian message and the recognized diplomatic role towards what is happening in Gaza, Palestine, and the region.

The Silver Jubilee, although a joy for Jordanians, was a stance for review and evaluation of what is happening internally and what we can competently do abroad.

Especially since the King today presents a clear future to a generation of youth looking forward to change, empowerment, and participation in the upcoming political entitlement through elections that are the first to be held under broad party participation. This is Jordan.