In a very interesting statement published on the website of the Islamic Action Front (IAF) in Jordan, the spokesman of the IAF parliamentary block said that the "Islamic movement" in Jordan is ready to take over the government in case "true democracy" was practiced in Jordan. The IAF statement is a direct result of Hamas' sweeping win in the Palestinian elections, and reflects the IAF's desire... [read more]

Some of the most influential Arabic and western media were obsessed last week with a new battleground between civilizations. The "Islamic doll"- as it was called- Fullah is taking the place of the American doll Barbie in the hearts of Arab and Muslim girls. Arab fathers and mothers, as well as educators are jubilant that a doll with dark Arabic features and ethics - some Fullah dolls put veils- are... [read more]

Here comes again the report all Arab government united in their hatred of! The annual "Human Rights Watch" report for 2006 exposes the arab governments and their violations of human rights.   The press release from HRW states that :" New evidence demonstrated in 2005 that torture and mistreatment have been a deliberate part of the Bush administration’s counterterrorism strategy, undermining... [read more]

So, this is another riddle by the World Economic Forum surveys conducted with the Gallup International Institute. The annual survey for "world leaders"- Davos participants- that paves the ground for the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos has asked the opinions of 2,500 world leaders was linked to the Gallup International "Voices of the People" survey based on the opinions of 50,000 people... [read more]

A new worldwide competition that will make history has just began, and Jordan has a national interest there.   The ancient Nabataean City of Petra is up against 20 other world heritage sites this year in an intensive global voting competition to select the next “New Seven Wonders of the World.” The competition, organised by the Swiss-based New 7 Wonders Foundation (N7W), is the first voting... [read more]

It has been really done by the Upper House of Parliament. They have rejected the Incom Tax law, based on a request from the government, which was based also on a wide public campaign organized and energized by the civil society and press.   This is a victory for democracy in Jordan. The Senate told Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit,  that the law was in conflict with His Majesty King Abdullah's Letter... [read more]

The year 2006 is expected to witness the launch of a long-term process of survival for the Middle Class in Jordan, to be added to the continuous survival battle fought by the poor since decades. The main element of this survival battle is the new Income Tax law, which is a major threat to the family budget and savings of the Middle class in Jordan.    The Bakhit government promised in its policy... [read more]

On a chilling December day, a group of six arab guys was about to invade Venice. Me, and other friends from Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Iraq were heading for one of the most amazing cities in the world, with shivers in our bones in a 0 Celsius degress day, with sunshine to make it more sarcastic. Once we got out of the Santa Lucia train station, we realised that we were the wrong group... [read more]

If I had to choose the best slogan of 2005 it should be this drawing by Imad Hajjaj following the 9/11 bombings in Amman. This drawing has been widely used in Jordan and was facilitating a new process of developing a collective ownership of the unity in Jordan. The drawing sends a direct message of unity, strength and resilience, which were the direct outcomes of the terrorism attacks. This has... [read more]

Ever since I came across the blogging phenomenon three week ago I was so impressed and overlwhelmed by the characters of such an expression system. I have been thinking deeply whether I should start my own blog or not. I needed to convince my self with the added value of blogging, and whether I am doing this out of fun, or to be a part of a new community or just to follow a hype. The main reason... [read more]