Jordan Times
Tuesday, November 10, 1998
Water sports, fireworks planned in Aqaba to mark King's birthday
AMMAN (Petra) — The Ministry of Tourism is organising three days of water sports events in Aqaba starting Friday as part of Jordan's celebrations of His Majesty King Hussein's birthday, according to an official announcement Monday.
A ministry statement said the events, organised in cooperation with Aqaba-based organisations as well as the Aqua Marina Hotel, will include performances by Jordanian and American water skiing teams and fireworks at night.
Taking part in and attending the events, to be held under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Akel Biltaji, are official and public organisations as well as Arab diplomatic missions.
Meanwhile, Minister of Social Development Mohammad Mamsar inaugurated a project in Maan for the production of traditional rugs which is being carried out by the Princess Rahmeh Bint Al Hassan Society. Mamsar said the inauguration was part of the country's celebrations marking the King's birthday, which falls on Nov. 14.
The JD10,000 project was financed by the ministry's Development and Employment Fund.
In an address at the ceremony, Mamsar said the ministry will continue to support community-based services and projects.
He noted that over the past 10 years, a total of JD500 million have been spent on charitable work in Jordan by voluntary groups and local and foreign donors.
Plans have been made to offer needy families sufficient capital to start income-generating projects rather than simply cash payments, the minister said.
Abdullah Khatib, executive president of the General Union of Voluntary Societies, said the union is financing 13 charitable projects in Aqaba, Irbid, Zarqa, Maan, Shobak, Amman, and Karak.
Khatib announced a JD1,000 contribution by the union to be distributed to the 45 women involved in the Maan project to encourage their work.
He also announced that the union will buy JD500 worth of rugs produced by the society.