Jordan Times
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
'Students must work to
challenge the current global perception of Islam'
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — Her Majesty Queen Rania on Tuesday
stressed that youth and students are the pride of Jordan and that His Majesty
King Abdullah and the government are working to provide various means to enhance
their capabilities and unleash their potential.
Queen Rania was speaking to a group of 20 students from the Maymoonah Secondary
School for Girls, during a visit to Al Manara area in east Amman yesterday.
Accompanied by Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and
Scientific Research Khalid Touqan and Ministry of Education Secretary General
for Educational Affairs Tayseer Al Nahar, Queen Rania toured the school, which
caters for 1,200 students from grades 7-12, interacting with teachers, students
and residents.
“The majority of the society in the Arab world in general and Jordan in
particular, is youth... this might be a challenge or an opportunity,” the Queen
told the students.
“Therefore, we have to see this fact as an opportunity to seize and utilise it
well for the progress and development of the country,” she added.
The number of citizens between 10-39 years old stands at 2.7 million of the
Kingdom's total population of 5.350 million, according to the Department of
Statistics.
“You are the future of the country — all the governments' visions are formed to
serve you and place at your disposal the tools that enable you to realise your
aspirations, and you should make good use of such tools for your progress,”
Queen Rania
“You are partners in the society and it is important to hear your opinions since
you provide us with the feedback on your needs so we can address them,” she
added.
Referring to the need for involving youth and students in countering the
challenges of today, Queen Rania also spoke of one of the main themes in King
Abdullah's letter to students, in August this year to mark the start of the
2005/2006 scholastic year.
The Queen said students must work to challenge the current global perception of
Islam, with its negative association with violence and terrorism, reiterating
that they have a responsibility to highlight the true face of Islam, which
emphasises the values of tolerance, social equality and respect for human life.
In his message, the Monarch said schools have a vital role to play in combating
extremism and promoting Islam's moderation and tolerance.
King Abdullah said in Islam there have always been “minarets of science
providing humanity with scholars and scientists who were pioneers in serving the
best interests of the international community.”
The Monarch said the world, particularly the Arab and Islamic world, is
witnessing sinful attacks by extremists and terrorists, especially those hiding
under the shroud of Islam... seeking to distort this faith's image by spreading
destruction in the world.
The students deliberated the main themes of the Royal Letter, saying it
motivated them to excel and provided them with an incentive to persevere.
At the end of the tour, the Queen spoke to Hana Zuheir, a 13-year-student.
Zuheir, a cancer patient, underwent an operation in March to remove a tumor, but
decided to return to school at the beginning of the academic year.
Queen Rania asked Zuheir, who wants to become a surgeon, about her health
condition and wished her speedy recovery.
“I missed school and my friends and teachers, that is why I returned,” Zuheir
told the Queen.
Queen visits adult literacy class
By Mohammad Ghazal
AMMAN — One classroom stands apart from all the others in the Maymoonah
Secondary School for Girls in Al Manara area in east Amman.
The 10 occupants of this classroom are aged between 30 and 60, unlike the 1,200
other students in the school who are between 13 to 18 years old.
These women who live in Al Manara, come to school everyday, where they are
taught how to read and write.
The classes are supervised by Al Manara Society for Social Development, a
nongovernmental association for women.
During a visit to the school yesterday, Her Majesty Queen Rania met with the
president of the society, as well as the women attending the adult literacy
class.
Established in 1988, the society has been instrumental in teaching more than
3,000 women in the area, empowering them and their children, through
awareness-raising activities and lectures. The institution also provides
financial and in-kind assistance to needy families, and secures admission for
their children in the society's kindergartens.
The desire to learn how to read and write and make friends, motivated these
women to register in the daily adult literacy class.
Fahimeh Ali, a 60-year-old mother of two, heard about the classes from her
neighbours.
“My family encouraged me to enroll in the class and I am really happy since I am
learning how to read and write, so that I can read the Holy Koran,” she said.
Another student, 50-year-old Samia Abdul Aziz, told The Jordan Times she came to
know about the class after attending a lecture on women's empowerment held by
the society.
“My personality is getting stronger and I now have more confidence in myself and
my abilities,” said Abdul Aziz, when asked if the lessons had changed her life
in any way.
“The students not only learn how to read and write, but we are helping them
build relationships and make friends,” their teacher, Fatima Ibrahim, said.
“The textbooks need to be upgraded since they are over 20 years old. Therefore,
I teach them other things that are not in the book,” the teacher said.
The Queen's visit came at a time when Jordan and the international community are
preparing to observe International Literacy Day on Sept. 8.
An official ceremony is slated for Thursday, under the patronage of the
education minister, to celebrate International Literacy Day.
According to the Ministry of Education, the Kingdom has 298 literacy centres
located all over the country. International reports and studies also indicate
that it is the first Arab country that has worked to reduce its illiteracy
rates, which according to reports published in 2004, stand at 9.1 per cent
compared to 67 per cent in 1961.