His Majesty King Abdallah gave a very interesting interview to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. I encourage everyone to read it. Here is an excerpt :
We’re going to do something in Jordan that has not been done before in the Middle East. And it’s serious. I had my first meeting with a very small group, and I said, "You all understand when we start the process, we’re talking about true democratic political reform. Once we start this, there’s no going back, and it’s comprehensive, and it’s long term."
This looks promising. King Abdallah always makes me proud.
Via: [Friends of Micronesia]
HM makes a lot of sense. He is right, his late father was one of the sparkplugs, so to speak, to get the ME going. It is funny that the apologists for the old way seem to not care for HM or GWB, nor for their intelligent visions of the ME as a full fledged economic and intellectual powerhouse.
Well, we shall see, won’t we?
Well said Isam. In my years in Jordan I saw similar situations and got the exact same impression you have described. But I do think as difficult and frustrating as it is, this is the way it is going to go for awhile, maybe a long while.
Change is slow, no matter where you are nor who makes the implementation. A change in “culture,” whether that be wasta or just the idea of ‘I’ll get mine when, where and while I can,’ which unfortunately exists the world over — particularly when it comes to government monies (see Halliburton, et al) — is the slowest change of all. I think you just have to stay the course and remain hopeful but determined to see it through.
isam, its going to be a long and perilous journey with many bumps on the road as u just described one of them, i assure u. but its worth taking, even if its half measures and filled with these bumps, anything is better than the now. uve got to break those eggshells to make that omlet.
i am interested in ure source for that story, i’d like to read it very much.
thanx
What puts me down about all this is that H.M. always comes with great ideas, which end up as ways for certain people to benefit, with a complete diversion from the original goals that he had and placed. Implementation is done by people who are thinking in some odd ways. For example, the initiative to have computers in all schools: a certain one vendor used his connection to get the deal, and sold the gov PCs that are overpriced. Add to that, the PCs were locked up in the schools, and computer laps are rarely accessed by students if ever (talking about public schools in rural areas). Reason is that the school principles had to sign papers that they received the PC in good conditions, and they are now his responsibility.. And what are the best way to keep the PCs in good shape than not to use them..
As much as I am happy and glad about H.M. vision and dreams for Jordan, I am very doubtful and worried about the implementation of the vision.
…its coming for sure.
A masters program for imams sounds like a great idea. However, I really don’t regard “state Imams” in the same positive light. We can all see how in Egypt, the state uses Imams to help divert anger from Mubarak to the US and Israel.
I’m for replacing illiterate bruts with “quality” and educated imams. I am against any direct state control.
His Majesty has always impressed me with his thinking and his visions for the future. We have seen many positive results from this great leader and these no doubt will continue. He certainly has the abilties to ensure that!
Actions speak louder than words! We need more taxes to go to the ministry of religious affairs! I am extremely impressed!