Jordanian Royal News

[Little_star]

For now I thought it might make sense to have one thread with all the Royal news related to Jordan.

CAIRO - A failure of a recently revived Arab plan for peace with Israel could lead to a new conflict in the region, Jordan's King Abdullah II warned in an interview published on Thursday.
http://www.middle-east-on...ine.com/english/?id=20642

[Little_star]

08 May 2007 (Sawf News) - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan accepted the John Wallach Peacemaker Award on behalf of Herself and His Majesty King Abdullah II at the Seeds of Peace annual Gala dinner
http://news.sawf.org/Gossip/36834.aspx

[hanzo1]

Thanks for the news. I was involve with "seeds of peace" many years ago, but I didn't knew It was connected to the Jurdenian royals, That's wonderfull.

[Little_star]

Power Givers (Time)
http://www.time.com/time/...5_1615711_1615692,00.html

10 Questions with Queen Rania
http://www.time.com/time/...le/0,9171,1619564,00.html

[hanzo1]

Power Givers (Time)
http://www.time.com/time/...5_1615711_1615692,00.html

10 Questions with Queen Rania
http://www.time.com/time/...5_1615711_1615692,00.html

Little star both of them lead to the same artical

[Little_star]

Sorry! I just modified the post, should be ok now!

[hanzo1]

Allthough she won me a long time ago, she just won me again: intelligent and a fighter for women rights. I respect her so much for speaking against honor killing , I wonder how well she is affecting It in Jorden

She also makes me respect King Abdullah more, I'm sure that he agrees with every thing she says.

[Little_star]

Amman, May 7(Petra)—The World Economic Forum on the Middle East will convene at the Dead Sea from 18-20 May where 1000 participants will listen to King Abdullah II opening address on their role in supporting conflict resolution, economic cooperation and development.

The Three- days forum will be held under the title” Putting Diversity to Work” which will spotlight efforts to accelerate economic diversification in a time of regional prosperity, while emphasizing the urgency of promoting peace and understanding in a region of great religious and ethnic diversity. Sessions will include discussions on industries of the future to broaden understanding of new industries that are playing a role in reshaping the region’s economies; on stability, peace and international relations, featuring a debate among key political leaders on the path to peace and security in the Middle East; and on society and change, addressing the prerequisites for successfully facing challenges in a time of transformation.

Vice President of the board of trustees of King Abdullah Development Fund Basem Awadallah told Petra on Monday that King Abdullah has worked hard to bring the forum to the region because of the opportunities it provides for leaders from the world of business, politics and civil society. He added that the Dead Sea is the main headquarters for convening the World Economic Forum on the Middle East even if some of its meetings were held sometimes in other countries.
http://www.petra.gov.jo/n...pras/2007/May/07/3000.htm

[Little_star]

Third conference of Nobel Laureates to be held May 15-16, 2007 in Petra, JordanYouth from around the Middle East will have a leading voice at this year's conference of Nobel Laureates in Petra, Jordan from May 15-16.

They have been invited to discuss their perspectives on the future of the region with around 40 attending Nobel Laureates and dozens of international public figures. The conferees have been invited to Jordan by the King Abdullah II Fund for Development and the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity for the third Petra Conference of Nobel Laureates. Nobel Laureates from the six fields in which the Nobel Prize is awarded each year - peace, economics, literature, physics, chemistry, as well as physiology and medicine - are expected to attend. This year's event will have a prominent focus on youth that will also extend to a discussion of how to enhance educational opportunities for youth in the Middle East, in particular by overcoming the information deficit.

The focus on youth reflects a broader concern in the region to create systems and structures that can ensure a high quality of life and opportunities for the region's largest youth cohort in history as it comes of age. Today, more than half the region's population is below the age of 18.

Other sessions during this year's conference will address issues in education, health, economy, and the environment. Conferees will explore the possibility of establishing a Middle East science fund to advance regional scientific cooperation. The session on the environment will highlight some of the work sponsored by regional civil society institutions and explore the wider challenges of preserving the environment in the region. The health session will propose developing a primary health care module to dispense supplies to populations in complex emergency situations and conflict.

"We are again convening some of the world's brightest and most creative minds, Nobel Laureates, to think, talk, and contribute to the advancement of various global issues," said His Majesty King Abdullah II in a statement issued by the Royal Hashemite Court. "This year, they will also meet with some of the best young minds of our region. From one country to another, from one generation to another, from one culture to another, the Petra message is clear. We can, and will continue to foster hope, innovation, and inspiration, in order to build a better world."

According to Elie Wiesel, who received the 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace, "Nobel Laureates met in Petra over the past few years to discuss threats to humankind. The world is in danger. This year we will explore practical steps to building a better world through partnerships involving Israelis and Palestinians and via cooperation between stakeholders across the Middle East. And what of today's youth," asks Wiesel. "At Petra, we will redouble our efforts to nurture tomorrow's leaders through education."

Among confirmed participants this year are Nobel Laureates JM Coetzee (Literature), Kofi Annan (Peace), Richard Axel (Medicine), Johann Deisenhofer (Chemistry), Robert Merton (Economics) and Norman F. Ramsey (Physics). They will be joined this year by world-renowned leaders from the public and private sectors.
http://www.ameinfo.com/117580.html

[Little_star]

I have a feeling we won't see much of Rania in the next few days. She will have just returned from the US and will be preparing for these 2 high profile and important events.

[Barrie]

I have always admired Rania, not just for her beauty but her intelligence as well. There have been unfortunately rumours for years that her and Queen Noor don't get along. I hope that isn't the case and that these two woman can support each other and promote their country and religion in a positive light.

[Little_star]

I have always admired Rania, not just for her beauty but her intelligence as well. There have been unfortunately rumours for years that her and Queen Noor don't get along. I hope that isn't the case and that these two woman can support each other and promote their country and religion in a positive light.

There have been lots of rumours over the years regarding Noor's relationship with Rania and also Noor's relationship with other women in the family.

Over the years I've started to get the impression that Noor isn't as "perfect" as she makes it.

[Little_star]

Ramallah - Jordan's King Abdullah II is due to visit the West Bank city of Ramallah Sunday for talks with Mahmoud Abbas, officials in the Palestinian president's office said.
http://news.monstersandcr..._Abbas_in_Ramallah_Sunday

[Barrie]

Well certainly Queen Noor must be upset that her eldest son, whom she famously states in her autobiography was Hussein's favourite, should be the heir. But King Abdullah has done a very good job in difficult times and his wife is a massive asset to him. Quite frankly, Hamzah and his Princess Noor just don't seem to have the "glam" factor.

I do like Queen Noor, I think she has been placed in difficult situations in the past especially during the first Gulf War when she had to explain Jordan's position to the West. But it has always brought a wry smile to my face when she plays up her "Arabness" if there is such a word. Her paternal grandfather was Arab, every other aspect of her heritage is from Europe. She is more Swedish than  she is Arab but she never talks about it. Also, she claims to embrace the Arab way of life which means many generations of a family live together and support each other. By reading her autobiography you can tell that this was a problem for her. When she and Hussein married, several of his children were living with them the olders ones as well. I have a feeling from her novel that she wanted to have only HER children by Hussein in the house. It seems to be she has always struggled with trying to embrace her new country while trying to hold on the her Western upbringing.

[Little_star]

Well certainly Queen Noor must be upset that her eldest son, whom she famously states in her autobiography was Hussein's favourite, should be the heir. But King Abdullah has done a very good job in difficult times and his wife is a massive asset to him. Quite frankly, Hamzah and his Princess Noor just don't seem to have the "glam" factor.

To be honest I don't even think it's an image thing, they are both too young. Hamzah is only 27 now, exactly 10 years younger than Abdullah when he became king and he was described as being too young!

I do like Queen Noor, I think she has been placed in difficult situations in the past especially during the first Gulf War when she had to explain Jordan's position to the West. But it has always brought a wry smile to my face when she plays up her "Arabness" if there is such a word. Her paternal grandfather was Arab, every other aspect of her heritage is from Europe. She is more Swedish than  she is Arab but she never talks about it.

I think Noor was very clever in that she realised that being a non-Arab to all intents and purposes would work against her. She may have been Arab genetically but she sounds and looks American.

She realised how much that worked against Princess Muna who never downplayed her Britishness and always made it a huge factor of who she was. Noor wasn't about to make that mistake.

Also, she claims to embrace the Arab way of life which means many generations of a family live together and support each other. By reading her autobiography you can tell that this was a problem for her. When she and Hussein married, several of his children were living with them the olders ones as well. I have a feeling from her novel that she wanted to have only HER children by Hussein in the house. It seems to be she has always struggled with trying to embrace her new country while trying to hold on the her Western upbringing.

I've read so many stories fo how Noor treated her step-children, Ali and Haya and none of them pleasant. I think the fact that she promoted her own children (Hamzah) even on King Hussein'd deathbed, shows just how concerned she was in her own family and ensuring its status.