Jordan Times
Friday, February 24, 2006
King calls on tribal leaders to support development plans
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on
Thursday renewed his call on local community leaders in the Balqa Governorate to
back national development plans by coming up with ideas for feasible projects.
At a meeting with tribal notables from the area at the Royal Court, the King
said: “You know your area better than I and the government do... we have met
before and I asked you to suggest ideas and strategies, but so far no one has
approached us with a mechanism to achieve that.”
He stressed that Jordan needed everyone to contribute in the fight against
poverty and unemployment, telling the community leaders that the country is in
need of workable proposals for projects “more than ever.”
The Monarch said the main focus at present was to continue investing in quality
education as a means to secure the country's future.
“We will invest in excelling students and provide them with scholarships to
study in Jordan and abroad,” he told the tribal leaders.
Participants in the meeting took turns to present the needs of their respective
areas, pledging to do their utmost to contribute to the Kingdom's developmental
plans.
They said residents of Balqa needed improved education and healthcare services.
Voicing appreciation for King Abdullah's efforts to achieve development in the
Kingdom, the tribal leaders also praised the Monarch's stand in defence of the
Prophet Mohammad and against the offensive cartoons that were published in a
Danish magazine and stirred a wave of anger all over the Islamic world.
Speaking to religious, political and intellectual leaders from all over the
world in Washington earlier this month, the King condemned the cartoons, saying
that freedom of expression should not cross the limits by touching on religious
sensibilities.