Hammouri from Ma'an: Jordan Faced Crises with Stability.. National Interest is a Priority in the Face of Changes
Amman3 min read
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The Qantara Center for Human Resources Development hosted Dr. Tariq Hammouri, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, in an extensive dialogue session titled «Jordan in the Face of Crises, Milestones from History and Questions of the Future», during which he presented an in-depth historical, political, and economic reading of the most prominent junctures that shaped the Jordanian state from its establishment until today.
The session was part of the Qantara Center's efforts to stimulate youth political participation and raise awareness, and was attended by a group of youth and activists alongside notables from Ma'an Governorate and representatives of civil society institutions.
Jordan Between Conflicts and Stability
Hammouri reviewed with the audience the history of the Jordanian state and its relations with neighboring countries, examining how the region's wars, conflicts, and successive crises affected the Kingdom's course, affirming that Jordan has consistently sought to maintain its stability and dealt with its surroundings in a way that protects its national interests.
Hammouri emphasized that «the region's conflicts will not be the last», pointing out that prudent handling of changes requires that the national interest remain the priority and the first beacon. He acknowledged that Jordan has historically engaged with regional issues, primarily the Palestinian issue, but stressed that the file that should always take precedence is Jordan and its internal national interests.
Economy: A Battle of Priorities
On the economic front, Hammouri reviewed the milestones and trajectories of the Jordanian economy over the decades, highlighting the structural challenges the Kingdom faced amid limited resources and the successive regional crises, and emphasizing Jordan's ability to withstand extremely difficult circumstances.
Hammouri clearly stated: «Our financial capacity is limited, so the battle is a battle of priorities», stressing the need for Jordanians to be realistic in reading their capabilities and potential, and to adopt economic decisions based on this realism rather than on wishes.
National Unity and Building Trust
Hammouri dedicated part of his talk to the issue of national unity, emphasizing the need to protect the Jordanian community from division and fragmentation, and asserting that everyone who holds a Jordanian national number is fully Jordanian, with the same rights and obligations, without discrimination or exception, as citizenship and the rule of law are the unifying basis for the nation's children.
He also addressed the issue of building trust between the citizen and state institutions, stressing the importance of providing a clear and swift official narrative capable of countering rumors and inaccurate information before they become entrenched in the public consciousness. He believed that continuous communication with citizens and active listening to their feedback is an indispensable cornerstone in building this trust.
In the same context, Hammouri affirmed that celebrating achievements is a right and a duty, and that demanding transparency and accountability when mistakes occur is not an insult but a right and a responsibility at the same time.
The session was not limited to theoretical presentation; it led to an open and direct discussion between Hammouri and the audience, addressing the future of political and party work in Jordan, youth participation in parties, and the challenges that hinder the effectiveness of party work. The dialogue also covered the importance of involving youth in political life and decision-making, as well as issues of encouraging investment, supporting youth projects, and utilizing economic agreements to serve the opportunities available to the new generation.
