Ancient Oak Forests in Bireen: A Natural Heritage Facing Challenges - Jordan News
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Ammon
4 days ago
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Nabataean Kingdom of Jordan: The forthcoming scholarly release by Al-Abbadi
Ammon News - Renowned Jordanian historian and thinker, Dr. Ahmad Oweidi Al-Abbadi, is preparing to launch his new monumental work "The Nabataean Kingdom of Jordan from 600 BCE to 106 CE", a two-volume study expected to be published before the end of this year or early next year, Allah willing. This book crowns decades of meticulous academic research—both field and archival—marking a qualitative leap in historical studies on the Nabataeans and their role in Jordan and the broader Arab region. In this work, Dr. Al-Abbadi does not merely retell Nabataean history in chronological order; he delves deeply into their cultural roots, social interactions, and civilizational contributions, guided by a rigorous critical vision that challenges both orientalist narratives and the conventional approaches of Arab and foreign scholarship. With a precise academic language and a strict analytical method, the author offers a fresh reading that unsettles long-held historical assumptions—foremost among them the notion of the 'Semitic race,' which he describes as 'an artificial construct of the eighteenth century.' Instead, he proposes a more accurate term, grounded in archaeological and historical evidence: 'Arab Thamudic'. The book also redraws the historical image of Petra, asserting that the Nabataeans were not its original founders but rather heirs to ancient Jordanian civilizations such as the Hurrians and Edomites, who had laid the earliest foundations of its rock-cut architecture more than 12,000 years ago. Dr. Al-Abbadi highlights how the Nabataeans developed this heritage, bringing it to its zenith during their golden age, before its decline with the Roman occupation in 106 CE. Through this approach, the book becomes far more than a historical study—it is a project to rewrite the civilizational memory of Jordan, linking its deep past to its contemporary national identity, and moving beyond the rigid interpretations imposed by orientalist readings. Upon its release, this work is expected to spark wide scholarly and intellectual debate due to its bold arguments, depth of analysis, and strong connection to Jordan's heritage and its role in Arab civilization. This publication is part of a series of major works to which Dr. Al-Abbadi has dedicated his scholarly life, aiming to re-read the ancient history of Jordan and reaffirm its place as one of the leading intellectual references defending Arab historical identity and highlighting Jordan's contribution to the march of human civilization.
Jordan News
30-07-2025
- Jordan News
Higher Education Ministry Clarifies Classification Mechanism for Tawjihi Students in Unified Admissions - Jordan News
Higher Education Ministry Clarifies Classification Mechanism for Tawjihi Students in Unified Admissions Mu'men Al-Khatib, Director of the Unified Admission Coordination Unit, stated that most current inquiries received by the unit revolve around the classification of General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) students into two categories: 'Current Year' and 'Previous Years.' This classification determines whether a student is eligible to compete for all available university seats or only a limited percentage. اضافة اعلان Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Tuesday, Al-Khatib explained that student classification is based on four main cases: Current-Year Student: A student who passed the Jordanian Tawjihi for the first time this year, achieved at least 50% in all subjects, and earned a general average of no less than 65% is considered a "current-year student" and is eligible to compete for 100% of university seats. Previous-Year Student (Improving Scores): A student who passed Tawjihi in previous years and then retook some subjects to raise their average is classified as a "previous-years student" and may compete for only 5% of available seats. Supplementary Exam Case: A student who first passed the Tawjihi in the most recent supplementary session, then retook some subjects in the current summer session, will be classified based on the certificate used for university admission: If applying with the supplementary session results → Current-Year Student If applying with the summer session results (after retaking exams) → Previous-Year Student Al-Khatib stressed the importance of accurately entering the exam seat number, session, and selecting the certificate upon which the student wishes to compete. Full Retake or Branch Change: A student who retakes all Tawjihi subjects or switches academic branches is considered a current-year student and is eligible to compete for 100% of seats. — Petra
Jordan News
17-07-2025
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Jordanian Dish Mansaf Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List - Jordan News
Jordanian Dish Mansaf Added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List Amman – On a hill facing the ancient Karak Castle, thirty-something Amani Al-Bashabsheh and her family have established a training academy to teach the culinary art of Mansaf, Jordan's iconic national dish. The academy also produces discs of jameed, the dried yogurt essential to preparing Mansaf, a dish closely associated with the city of Karak in southern Jordan. اضافة اعلان Mansaf has a uniquely Jordanian method of preparation, distinct from similarly named dishes in neighboring countries in terms of ingredients, cooking method, type of yogurt used, and even how it's presented and eaten. According to Al-Bashabsheh, what sets Jordanian Mansaf apart is its use of natural ingredients sourced from the local environment—local lamb, traditional bread made from native wheat, jameed from the milk of local sheep, and wild herbs that add flavor and depth. A Historic Milestone for Jordan In a historic first, Jordan succeeded last week in registering Mansaf on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, surpassing a number of prominent Arab and international dishes and drinks, such as Moroccan couscous, Italian pizza, and Saudi Arabic coffee. This achievement adds to Jordan's growing portfolio of recognized cultural practices: the Jordanian palm tree (2019, in partnership with other Arab countries), Arabic calligraphy (2021), the Samer dance (2018), and the cultural space of Petra and Wadi Rum Bedouins (2008). Historical and Cultural Roots According to historians, Mansaf dates back more than 3,000 years, to when the Moabite king Mesha in the 19th century BCE instructed his people to cook meat in yogurt—a practice deliberately in contrast to Jewish dietary laws, which forbid mixing meat and dairy. This helped distinguish the Moabites culturally and religiously from the Jews. Mansaf remains the centerpiece of Jordanian gatherings—especially weddings—deepening family and societal ties, and serving as the ultimate gesture of hospitality for guests and dignitaries alike. Jordanian heritage specialist Naif Al-Nawaiseh emphasizes that Mansaf is not just a dish but a living tradition, preserved for over 200 years. The finest Mansaf, he says, is made entirely with traditional 'baladi' (locally sourced) ingredients—lamb, jameed, traditional bread, and cracked wheat (jareesh). Social and Symbolic Significance Mansaf is closely tied to cherished values such as generosity, honoring elders, maintaining family bonds, feeding the needy, and reconciling conflicts. As Al-Nawaiseh told Al Jazeera, Mansaf is far more than a celebratory meal—it is a deeply rooted social and cultural expression of Jordanian solidarity. Jordan's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO announced the official inclusion of the file titled 'Mansaf in Jordan: A Celebratory Meal and Its Social and Cultural Significance' in March 2021, during Jordan's participation in the 17th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Preparing Mansaf To prepare Mansaf, lamb is cooked in jameed. The jameed discs are first broken into small pieces, soaked in water for several hours, ground into a smooth mixture, and combined with spices and the cooked meat in a large pot. While the lamb cooks in the yogurt sauce, traditional shrak bread—a thin flatbread baked over wood fire—is prepared using nothing but salt and whole wheat flour. Mansaf is served in a large platter called a sider, where shrak bread is layered at the base, followed by a spread of the jameed broth, a layer of rice, and finally the meat. The lamb's head is often placed at the center—a traditional symbol of honor and hospitality. In the past, cracked wheat (jareesh) was used instead of rice. Today, the platter is often garnished with roasted almonds and pine nuts. In northern Jordan, it may also be topped with stuffed kibbeh balls. Mansaf is traditionally eaten by hand, using the right hand only, with the jameed sauce poured over the rice. A Living Symbol of National Identity Mansaf preparation is a shared endeavor between men and women. Men often contribute by lighting the wood fires for the large pots used during communal events. According to Makram Al-Qaisi, Jordan's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Mansaf reflects Jordan's intangible culinary heritage and serves as a cultural identifier. It also represents the generosity and pride of Jordanians, helping introduce the country's values and traditions to the world. In the city of Karak, tourists are regularly invited to enjoy Mansaf in local guesthouses, experiencing firsthand the flavors and rituals of this ancient dish—now officially recognized by UNESCO as a treasure of humanity. Source: Al Jazeera
