Jordan Times
Sunday, September 3, 2006

PARLIAMENT WATCH

The Lower House is scheduled to vote on a number of bills in today’s morning session including amendments to the khutba and companies laws.

The draft khutba law comes as part of a policy to impose restrictions on preaching in mosques. The amendment stipulates that no one is allowed to deliver a speech or lecture in a mosque without approval from the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

Violators face up to one year in prison and a JD600 fine, as well a ban from preaching. The government recently started a two-week training course for preachers on khutba skills.

The Lower House is also scheduled to endorse an amendment to the Companies Law, which paves the way for setting up a research fund at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to fund research projects. According to the amendment, a 1 per cent tax levied on the profits of public shareholding companies would finance the fund.

According to the proposed amendment, the fund would be managed by a board of directors appointed by the government functioning independently from the ministry.

Several MPs, however, said during preliminary discussions that the board would create an unnecessary financial burden on the government, and suggested that the fund be integrated within the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The Financial Committee, headed by Deputy Hashem Dabbas, (Balqa, First District) proposed that the minister head the board of directors with officials from several ministries and the private sector.

Previously, the 1 per cent deducted from profits of public shareholding firms were designated to be used in research programmes at the firms.

Among other legislation to be discussed includes an amendment to the Telecommunications Law, returned from the Senate with minor adjustments.