His Majesty King Abdullah II and Jordanian Heritage.. Legacy of the Past and Vision for the Future
Amman3 min read
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Former President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Abdel-Kafi Kafafi, stated that the Hashemite family has been interested in cultural heritage, especially archaeological heritage, since the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921, noting that the Jordanian Antiquities Law was issued in 1923 with the aim of studying, protecting, and preserving this heritage for future generations.
Kafafi added that the Hashemites followed in the footsteps of the founder, King Abdullah I, in their interest in cultural heritage, based on their vision of heritage as an extension of the past, present, and future; the past documents the achievements of the people who lived on the land of Jordan, the present reflects the inventions and intellectual and scientific creations offered by Jordanians, while the future is based on benefiting from the lessons of the past and the achievements of the present to build a more prosperous life.
He pointed out that His Majesty King Abdullah II attaches importance to studying, preserving, and promoting Jordanian antiquities locally and internationally, which enhances Jordan's cultural and civilizational presence.
He explained that one of the most prominent examples of His Majesty's interest in Jordanian heritage was his opening in 2004 of an exhibition of Jordanian antiquities at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, titled "Faces of Orient," in addition to his visits to a number of international and regional museums that display Jordanian antiquities, including the Abu Dhabi Museum, which houses one of the Ain Ghazal statues, where he was accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah.
Kafafi noted that one of the most prominent testimonies to His Majesty the King's interest in Jordanian antiquities was his receipt of a stone carved with geometric patterns, discovered by a mission from the University of Sydney, Australia, during the 1980s at the Wadi al-Hammeh 27 site, near the town of Masharea in the Jordan Valley, and his return of it to Jordan.
He indicated that His Majesty the King's honoring of culture and intellectuals evokes feelings of joy, pleasure, and optimism, pointing out that His Majesty's interest is not limited to honoring cultural elites, but extends to urging them to continue giving and creating, and to enhance their role in spreading culture, promoting national heritage, and preserving it.
He emphasized that this patronage gains special importance in light of the need for concerted sincere efforts to promote and safeguard Jordanian cultural heritage, as it is an authentic part of the national identity and the memory of generations.
He added: "I am personally proud that I have been honored more than once by His Majesty King Abdullah II," considering this an expression of His Majesty's appreciation for science, culture, and intellectuals, and his keenness to support efforts that contribute to serving the nation and preserving its civilizational legacy.
