Jordan remembers King Hussein

(MENAFN- Jordan Times)

AMMAN — Jordanians on Monday mark the 23nd anniversary of the passing of his majesty King Hussein, who died at the age of 63 on February 7, 1999, following a battle with cancer.

Also on Monday, Jordanians mark the anniversary of His Majesty King Abdullah's assumption of constitutional powers, as he was proclaimed King on the same day.

King Hussein was born on November 14, 1935, as the eldest son of King Talal and Queen Zein Al Sharaf.

He studied at the Islamic Scientific College and then enrolled at Victoria College in Alexandria. In 1951, he entered Harrow College in England before receiving his military education at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, from which he graduated in 1953.

Hussein was proclaimed King of Jordan on August 11, 1952, and a Regency Council was appointed until his formal Accession to the Throne on May 2, 1953, when he assumed his constitutional powers after reaching the age of 18, according to the Islamic lunar calendar.

Throughout his reign, King Hussein worked hard to improve his country and raise citizens' living standards. He also focused on building an economic and industrial infrastructure that advanced the quality of life of the Jordanian people.

During his reign, primary education became mandatory and schools were established across the Kingdom's cities, villages and rural areas, allowing Jordan to become one of the leading Arab countries in terms of literacy.

King Hussein also focused on improving higher education, with dozens of public and private universities and colleges built under his rule.

He also sought throughout his reign to promote peace in the Middle East.

After the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, he was instrumental in drafting UN Security Council Resolution 242, which calls on Israel to withdraw from all Arab lands occupied in the 1967 war, in exchange for peace. The resolution has served as the benchmark for all subsequent peace negotiations.

In 1991, King Hussein played a pivotal role in convening the Madrid peace conference, providing an“umbrella” for Palestinians to negotiate their future as part of a joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation.

The 1994 peace treaty between Jordan and Israel was a major step towards achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The late King's commitment to democracy, civil liberties and human rights has also helped pave the way for Jordan to become a model state in the region.

At the time of his death on February 7, 1999, King Hussein was the longest serving executive head of state in the world.

Assuming his constitutional powers, King Abdullah has embarked on major reforms that cover political, social, economic and administrative spheres.

In June, His Majesty formed the Royal Committee to Modernise the Political System, which was tasked with drafting new elections and political parties laws in addition to considering constitutional amendments related to these laws.

In November, in the Speech from the Throne inaugurating the first ordinary session of the 19th Parliament, King Abdullah stressed that“the Kingdom embarks on a new stage in the process of comprehensive modernisation, to achieve the future that our honourable people and dear nation deserve”.

Oh his 60th birthday, the King also addressed Jordanians and highlighted the aspirations for Jordan's future, within a comprehensive national vision that continues across governments and engages all.

King Abdullah also said achieving this vision requires intensive efforts to reinforce points of strength and address points of weakness in planning and implementation, to step up performance in various sectors and provide all Jordanians with opportunities and quality services.

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