(From the Jordan Times - September 4, 1999)
'The new generation aims to build upon the accomplishments of the older generation, yet with new and fresh ideas'
Following is the full text of an interview with Her Majesty Queen Rania conducted by Al Ra'i and the Jordan Times
How do you view Jordan's path under the leadership of HM King Abdullah, and how can Jordan overcome the difficulties and challenges it is facing especially on the socio-economic level?
The hallmarks of His Majesty's character have always been his unshaken loyalty to this country and his immense love for its peoples. I saw first hand how as a member of the Jordanian Armed Forces he was constantly preoccupied with finding new ways to improve the situation for his men, to provide new opportunities for them, to increase their potential and to improve their living conditions.
Today, it is God's will that he has taken on the role of leader and caretaker for this country and his larger Jordanian family. Like his late father he understands the importance of staying in constant touch with his people and of always being in tune, with their problems as well as their hopes and aspirations... and we've recently witnessed his ability to find unconventional ways to obtain a clear picture of the realities facing them and to provide opportunities for his people to voice their concerns directly to their King.
Saydna is very much aware of the economic and social challenges facing Jordan such as poverty, unemployment and the need for greater accountability. He will continue to tackle problems head on, without sweeping them under the rug. But like his father he is a firm believer that no challenge is insurmountable, and that with sufficient willpower every obstacle can be turned into an advantage. And at the same time he is a true believer in the abilities of the Jordanian people and the tremendous potential that this country holds. His Majesty is particularly proud of the way his nation showed unity, perseverance and strength at the most difficult and trying times following the passing away of their dear King Hussein. His clear vision, energy and courage are an inspiration to me and I am confident that with the support of his people his unrelenting efforts will lead to prosperous future.
Can you tell us about your activities and work in the past and Your Majesty's future role?
For many years now my projects have aimed to address unmet needs in society and to have a tangible impact at both the community and national levels. I have been involved in issues that range from income-generating projects, child protection, early child development, micro-finance and others, mostly under the umbrella of the Jordan River Foundation. Over that time I feel that I have formed a deeper understanding of the various challenges facing our nation.
Early childhood education is something that affects each and every one of us. The child's early formative years, particularly the ages of 0-6 are crucial to his or her healthy development in the future. I would like to make a difference in this domain particularly in the quality of care that our children receive in these critical years of development. If we can make a change in this area, it will be a great accomplishment for Jordan. Across the world there have been extremely successful programmes for early childhood development and we in Jordan can learn from those experiences.
As for the issue of child abuse, it is one of the main pillars of Jordan River Foundation. As you are well aware, abuse and violence in any shape or form have no basis in our religion or culture. It is in fact contradictory to the tradition of tolerance that Islam teaches us and hence should not be tolerated in our society at any level. Yet we know that it exists and that we must address it effectively. The sanctity of the family, and of each member within it, is of utmost importance to me, as it is to almost all in our country, and I believe that it must be preserved and protected at all costs.
Then there is the issue of micro-finance. It is a relatively new concept that originated in Bangladesh, which aims to assist individuals to generate extra income for their families. It is different from the concept of charity and handouts in that it provides a long-term solution. Micro-finance provides a way for individuals who are willing to work but who are not eligible to take from the bank to establish their own means of generating income. I had attended a conference in the U.S. last June and it was a great opportunity for me to hear the experiences of the other nations with regards to micro-finance.
I am also involved in various other drives outside the realm of Jordan River Foundation such as the very important issues of organ transfer and donation and campaigns against smoking.
Although I will continue to work just as diligently on my established projects, as the wife of His Majesty King Abdullah I will need to pay attention to a greater number of issues than I had previously dealt with. As you know, I have been visiting different areas of our country to directly see and hear the needs of people, and the difficulties they encounter in their daily lives. Actually these visits are very personally fulfilling as wherever I go, I feel that I am someone's daughter, sister, or mother, or even granddaughter. They have also been of great benefit to me in further assessing the situation as it stands on the ground. Also, I hold regular brainstorming sessions with many of the talented and experienced people of this country and these have been extremely useful in examining what issues should be focused on.
I can see that many social issues need greater attention. Poverty is of course the most serious problem affecting the greatest number of people in our country and we all need to coordinate our efforts to combat this ailment.
Unemployment is a problem which must be acknowledged and poverty is one of its manifestations. The National Fund for Development and Employment is a main contributor in helping alleviate this problem, however, more needs to be done elsewhere, and it is unfair to hold the government solely responsible for the problem of unemployment, as it is hostage to the country's limited resources. It is imperative for all national institutions, and especially for the private sector, to bear their share of the burden, back government efforts and set up productive projects. Financial support from the government does not solve the problem of poverty, on the contrary it increases the malaise, and the solution lies in investments and on an integrated economic cycle based on complimentarity between available funds, jobs and manpower.
I can also see that certain areas in the field of healthcare and education need more backing, and I intend to play a role. Also, tourism in Jordan is of great interest to me as it has a very promising future but has yet to reach its full potential. Its nourishment will help to partially alleviate poverty and unemployment in this country.
Issues related to youth in general are of great importance, as the youth constitute roughly 70 per cent of the population. Helping youth have a voice in their country, and helping them in harnessing their energy to better help themselves and their society — these are the kinds of issues I think I should be focused on.
I want our youth to be able to meet the difficulties of growing up with unquestionable confidence knowing that a nurturing environment surrounds them. How to help provide them is a question that is always on my mind and it is the inspiration behind many of my projects.
How can we improve the lot of Jordanian women, and enable them to participate more fully in Jordan's political life?
Jordanian women have come a long way in recent years, both on the social and political levels, and for this they should be congratulated. The Jordanian constitution grants women equal rights. Given this fact, the challenge then becomes transcending the social constraints that hinder women's advancement.
Both His Majesty and myself feel very strongly about safeguarding women's rights and ensuring that the appropriate legal framework exists so that women can exercise their constitutional rights and realise their fullest potential. It is important that this approach be complemented with empowerment of women at the grassroots level through education and projects that enable them to put their skills to better use for the improvement of their own well-being, that of their families and society at large.
Micro-finance projects for women are a good way to ensure that they become empowered at the grassroots level. Projects such as these not only empower women to become skilled contributors to the Jordanian economy, but also allows them to assume positions of leadership in our projects, and empowers them both at home and in their societies.
In answer to your question, I believe that political rights are only one aspect of women's rights, and it is important to keep in mind that women in Jordan actually do have substantial political rights. The challenge is to ensure that the social constraints are transcended in a way that allows women to enjoy their political rights to the fullest. Awareness in this respect, among both men and women, is of utmost importance.
Work such as that of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma in empowering women should be supported, and my husband and I are keen to assist her as well as the endeavours of other members of the family.
Can you tell us about HM King Abdullah as a father, husband, leader and person?
Respect for a person's dignity is at the core of the values to which HM adheres. Like his father, King Abdullah is first and foremost a true humanitarian. He is also a very dedicated father. He tries to be there for his children despite his demanding work schedule. He does so not only out of a sense of duty, but because he truly enjoys his children's company. Their playfulness brings him much happiness and provides him with a break from the day-to-day routine. Likewise, he is a very caring husband. This is a partnership in every sense of the word. He has always been supportive of my undertakings and I have always felt that it is imperative for me to provide a peaceful, comforting environment for him at home in which he can reflect and recharge, especially now that his responsibilities have drastically increased.
What is your relationship with your two children, and what are your views on motherhood?
As a mother, I have found that my children give me the strength on a day-to-day basis to undertake my responsibilities. They are my inspiration in all that I do.
With the obvious changes that have taken place in our lives recently I feel that it is a constant challenge to try to balance a normal family life with a very busy schedule. I have to make a conscious effort to provide my children with a normal upbringing. For instance, I make it a point and find comfort in tucking them into bed at night, reading their favourite bedtime stories, and most importantly reciting verses from the Koran as they fall asleep. I have also learnt from the way in which my husband has been brought up that it is vital to be exposed to the realities of life. Like their father, I want them to be able to understand the difficulties of everyday life as well as to interact with people easily. This is why we make it a point to spend a lot of time with them as well as have them accompany us to many of the events that are important to us as Jordanians, such as the Pan-Arab Games.
The issue of children has always been dear to my heart. I want for every child in Jordan what I want for my own children. If there is anything that motherhood has taught me, it is that I am not just a mother to my two children, but to every child that I encounter. They all share the same innocence and vulnerability, and they are all precious and hold the promise of an enormous potential.
How do you see the Arab situation in general?
As a Jordanian who lived in several Arab countries, I am a daughter of the Arab World because I was born in Kuwait, educated in Egypt, and my family is of Palestinian origin. I have visited all but a few Arab countries and I have come to realise that the common elements between us Arabs far outweigh the differences, and that we all share the same hopes and aspirations. This realisation has become further ingrained in me as a result of my close ties with many wonderful figures in our neighbouring countries. In more recent years, my contacts with the spouses of the leaders of the Arab World have added a new dimension to my life as an Arab woman, and now the wife of an Arab leader. I believe that a lot of cooperation can stem from such relationships, resulting in benefits for Jordanians and for the Arab people in general. Such friendships are in tune with His Majesty's drive to solidify Arab cooperation, especially at a time when the challenges faced by each individual Arab country become increasingly similar.
How can Jordan best move into the next century?
The 21st century presents a challenging yet promising future. The continuous depletion of earth's natural resources combined with the amazing scientific breakthrough's present both a problem and an opportunity. Jordan faces challenges varying from tackling issues as pressing as poverty and unemployment, to finding a solution to the problem of the scarcity of water, to dealing with the technological advances.
I'd like to see a Jordan that is up to the various challenges. A Jordan that is able to have a significantly positive impact on the quality of life for all of mankind and to do so within the realms of our religious beliefs, values, and culture. We will need to reverse the brain drain that is a common problem of developing countries, as we will need to ensure that creativity and innovation are the key elements that are nurtured.
What we need is to achieve progress in Jordan through transparency and accountability, and to ensure that every Jordanian feels that he or she is an integral contributor to the country as a whole and to the process of nation-building, based solely on his and her merit and achievements. Jordan's strength has stemmed from the diverse backgrounds of its people, all sharing the common goal of benefiting Jordan, and we must ensure that this is maintained and built upon.
My husband and I have great faith in the Jordanian people and we are extremely hopeful and optimistic about Jordan as we approach the 21st century since we have no reason but to be optimistic. Jordan has always set itself as a model in the Arab World and we take pride in the great talent that exist. The talent of our people and their contribution to the building of our open and pluralistic society will help us meet the challenges of the next Millennium. We in Jordan should be able to take a lead in the region's march into the 21st century.
What is Your Majesty's view on the new generation of Arab leaders, and what will their effect be on future generations?
I think the new generation aims to build upon the tangible accomplishments of the older generation, yet with new and fresh ideas, which is natural considering they have lived in different eras and have experienced different realities than their predecessors. I am a firm believer that the new generations are always able to find ways to influence the future of their nations.
We must not forget that although we have a new era in Jordan and a new generation that has been brought to the fore, Saydna brings much continuity in both policy and style of leadership. Both His Majesty King Abdullah and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hamzah's youthful drive will build upon the foundations laid by their father and their Hashemite forefathers.