His Majesty King Abdullah
II |
Jordan’s King Abdullah II has taken the lead
in extending an invitation to host, in Amman, an
interfaith conference to, in the words of the King,
"come up with a religious consensus so that
Iraqis could reach a political consensus. I call
on our brothers in Iraq to recognize the gravity
of the situation, and not to listen to those who
promote division, internal discord and the division
of Iraqis into Suni, Shiite, Kurd and Turkman."
Such actions have become the norm from this dynamic
world leader who assumed his constitutional powers
as Monarch of the Kingdom of Jordan on February
7th 1999, the day his father, the late King Hussein,
passed away. Not only has Abdullah II been outspoken
on the major issues facing the world today, but
also he has been consistent in coming forth in offering
solutions.
Given its rough neighborhood, some have compared
Jordan to being in they eye of a storm. Like his
father before him, Abdullah II is not one to sit
back and simply wish the problems would go away.
In matters such as Iraq, weightily pressing against
the eastern border of his kingdom, the 44-year old
monarch has not always been on the same page as
Washington; however, since the downfall of Saddam,
His Majesty has been extremely supportive of efforts
to build an Iraq that is politically viable and
at peace. The interfaith conference is but one example
of this resolve, and it underscores his belief that
a united and stable Iraq is in the best interest
of Jordanians, Iraqi, and the region.
After the February 22 bombing of the mosque in
Samarra, Abdullah II called on all Iraqi Shiites,
Sunnis and Kurds to work together and discontinue
attempts to incite sectarian fighting among them,
saying Jordan would intensify its contacts with
countries in the region as well as with the multinational
forces to prevent further escalation. According
to His Majesty, "Extremists, who thrive on
conflict; who do not tolerate diversity; who seek
power through division and destruction—the
global system they hope to create is one of new
walls and new isolation, and radically smaller horizons.
It is an anti-democratic, anti-economic-growth,
and anti-progress agenda."
Her Majesty Queen Rania
Al-Abdullah |
As the first Arab leader to meet with President
Bush after the attacks upon Washington and New York,
Abdullah II showed that the Kingdom of Jordan stands
shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States in the
fight against terrorism. Last November, when terror’s
dark delirium was visited upon Jordan, the King,
as with citizens across all strata of this nation,
remained defiant.
"He cares deeply for the people of Jordan,"
said President Bush of Abdullah II. "I know
firsthand, I have seen his passion for the people
in that important country. He suffers when people
suffer. He exalts when people succeed. He's a leader
who takes risks for peace. He's a peaceful man."
Abdullah II is quite distinctive among world leaders
for having been a member of special- forces. After
joining Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in 1980,
he attended Oxford University where he completed
a one-year special studies course in Middle Eastern
Affairs. In 1985, he attended the Armored Officers
Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. A year later,
he became Commander of a Tank Company in the 91st
Armored Brigade of the Jordanian Armed Forces, holding
the rank of Captain. Abdullah II also served with
the Royal Jordanian Air Force Anti-Tank Wing where
he received his wings as well as his qualifications
as a Cobra Attack Pilot. In 1987, Abdullah II attended
the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
in Washington.
King Abdullah II, thereafter, resumed his military
career where he held various positions, among them
Commander of the Royal Jordanian Special Forces
and Special Operations Commander. Abdullah II, a
qualified frogman, pilot, and a free-fall parachutist,
is also an automotive racing enthusiast and collector
of ancient weapons and armaments.
Throughout his seven years as head of state Abdullah
II has remained steadfastly committed to further
institutionalizing democratic and political pluralism
in Jordan. He has given great effort to insuring
sustainable levels of economic growth and social
development aimed at improving the standard of living
of all Jordanians, as well as working towards the
modernization of Jordan's information technology
and educational systems.
Under King Abdullah II's reign, Jordan was admitted
to the World Trade Organization, and negotiated
Free Trade Area with the United States—only
the third nation in the world to do so, and the
first Arab country. King Abdullah II has also been
actively pursuing national administrative reform,
including increased governmental transparency and
accountability. He has been working tirelessly for
the advancement of civil liberties, turning Jordan
into one of the most progressive countries in the
Middle East.
Not one to shut himself off from the needs, insights,
and wisdom of ordinary citizens, the King recently
met with leaders from a rural district of Jordan,
concerning their economic well-being, saying to
those gathered— "You know your area better
than I and the government do." Abdullah II
stressed how important it was for all Jordanians
to contribute to the fight against poverty and unemployment.
The King claimed that his main focus, at present,
was in the continuation of investment in quality
education. "We will invest in excelling students
and provide them with scholarships to study in Jordan
and abroad," he told local leaders.
Referring to bilateral relations with the US, King
Abdullah II discussed the pressure that fuel price
increases are exerting on Jordan's economic development.
The King said Jordan appreciated U.S. assistance
in helping the country overcome its economic challenges.
|
Jordan 
