The Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Retired Brigadier General Ismail Al-Habashneh, said during the opening ceremony at the Martyr Haza' Al-Majali Complex that the goal of organizing the events is to treat Karak's heritage as a 'living identity and national memory' and not just a past preserved in museums.
He pointed to the economic, developmental, tourism, and environmental challenges facing the old Karak within the walls, calling for the convergence of efforts between the public and private sectors, national institutions, and the people of the province, and the development of a practical vision that transfers efforts from multiple initiatives to their integration and from reviewing problems to manufacturing solutions, which contributes to the development of the city center while preserving its historical character and restoring its tourism and commercial vitality.
Retired Major General Falah Al-Adaileh said that the events presented an image of Karak's history, memory, and heritage, praising the space provided for women and youth to display their handicraft products and artistic creations, which provides economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, and commended the role of the Ma'an Cooperative and all supporting parties that contributed to the events in a manner befitting Karak and its history.
The Chairman of the Karak Greater Municipality Committee, Dr. Muhammad Al-Manasir, emphasized the importance of cultural and heritage events in highlighting Karak's identity and historical and social heritage, consolidating national identity, enhancing belonging, and promoting collaborative work between official and community institutions, which contributes to supporting local development, noting the importance of supporting initiatives that enhance the presence of Karak City as a cultural, heritage, and tourism destination.
For his part, the Chairman of the Ma'an Cooperative, Hazem Al-Habashneh, explained that the Cooperative works to employ the expertise of retired military personnel in community service and support women's products and home-based projects and voluntary initiatives, expressing his hope that this collaborative work will form the nucleus for establishing a Karak Heritage Tourist Market.
The second season events were held under the patronage of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, Dr. Muhammad Al-Dhneibat, and the Mayor Jamal Al-Saraireh, and were inaugurated with a 'Loyalty to the Hashemites' march that started in front of Karak Castle with the participation of the Jordanian Armed Forces-Arab Army bands, passing through the old market and the city center to the Karak Greater Municipality Hall before opening a bazaar for handicraft products, handmade items, and popular foods. The events also included success stories of women from the province, artistic and folklore performances with the participation of heritage and student groups, and segments of Sama', playing the Rubaba, traditional and national songs, a poetry evening, and reflected the spirit of the place and the richness of the heritage.
