Latest news with #AhmadKhlifat
Jordan Times
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Jordan Times
Rally Jameel 2025 kicks off from Petra with int'l female participation
The ancient city of Petra witnesses a 'historic' moment on Tuesday with the launch of Rally Jameel 2025, the Middle East's first navigational rally dedicated exclusively to women (Photos by Ahmad Khlifat) AMMAN — The ancient city of Petra witnessed a 'historic' moment on Tuesday with the launch of Rally Jameel 2025, the Middle East's first navigational rally dedicated exclusively to women. The event is organised by the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) and Jameel Motorsport, with support from the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission. Spanning 1,600 kilometres, the rally route will take participants through some of the region's most 'iconic' landscapes, starting from Petra, heading to Saudi Arabia's cities of Tabuk, AlUla, Hail and Qassim. The event runs until Saturday and features 45 teams representing 37 countries, with backing from 25 international motorsport federations. The rally serves as a platform for empowering women and showcasing their capabilities in physical and mental endurance, while also promoting teamwork, resilience, and cross-cultural connection through motorsport. PDTRA Chairman Fares Breizat stressed the symbolic significance of launching the rally from Petra, highlighting the city's 'historical' role in empowering women, referencing Queen Shaqilat, the first woman to be depicted on Nabataean currency, a testament to the societal standing of women in ancient Petra. 'This event sends a global message about gender inclusion and the importance of creating spaces for women in all fields, including motorsport,' Breizat stated. 'It also positions Petra as a world-class destination for both cultural tourism and international sporting events,'Breizat added. Rally Jameel 2025 is expected to leave a 'lasting mark' not only on the advancement of women in motorsports but also on Jordan's growing reputation in sports tourism and cultural diplomacy.
Jordan Times
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Austrian embassy celebrates success of ‘Listen to Me' series
The Austrian Embassy in Amman hosts a reception at the Austrian Residence to celebrate the success of the series Listen to Me, produced by Shezomedia and supported by the Austrian 'South-North' Fund 2024 (Photo by Ahmad Khlifat) AMMAN — The Austrian Embassy in Amman hosted a reception at the Austrian Residence to celebrate the success of the series Listen to Me, produced by Shezomedia and supported by the Austrian 'South-North' Fund 2024. The project, which received funding from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, features five "powerful" episodes that were released online throughout Women's Month in March, beginning on Saturday, March 8, International Women's Day. Listen to Me provides a platform for women's voices, highlighting the realities of gender-based violence, social stigma, and the everyday struggles of women, particularly in Jordan's rural communities, according to an embassy statement. By amplifying voices that are often unheard, the series aims to raise awareness of systemic challenges facing women and promote gender equality through storytelling. Each episode shares real-life experiences of discrimination and violence, told with honesty and resilience. These human stories transcend geographic and cultural boundaries, reinforcing the urgent need for dialogue, understanding, and change. In her opening remarks, Austrian Ambassador Marieke Zimburg praised the production team for their impactful work, saying, 'There is no easy recipe, but a first, courageous, and immensely important step is raising awareness. This may not change things immediately, but it lays the foundation for transformation. Without awareness, we tend to accept things as they are, without questioning, thereby perpetuating injustice.' The South-North Fund supports cultural initiatives that promote cooperation, shared learning, and mutual understanding between Austria and the Global South. Listen to Me stands as a compelling example of how creative media can drive social change and humanise critical issues, the statement said. The embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster inclusivity, dialogue, and gender equality in Jordan and beyond.
Jordan Times
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Turkish embassy commemorates fallen soldiers of World War I in Salt
The Turkish embassy in Amman held a ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the martyrs of the World War I. The ceremony was held at the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Salt, who died during World War I (Photos by Ahmad Khlifat) AMMAN — The Turkish embassy in Amman held a ceremony on Tuesday to commemorate the martyrs of the World War I. The ceremony was held at the Turkish Martyrs' Memorial in Salt, who died during World War I. The ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador to Amman Yakup Caymazoglu and a representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force. The Turkish ambassador and the representative of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with several delegations, laid wreaths at the memorial to the martyrs, while buglers played the Last Post. The Turkish ambassador and the mayor of Salt delivered speeches during the ceremony, emphasising the deep bilateral relations between of Jordan and Turkey.
Jordan Times
19-02-2025
- Jordan Times
Petra Authority launches new hiking trails to showcase Bedouin heritage, sustainable tourism
The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority launches new hike aimed at promoting eco-tourism, cultural heritage (Photos by Ahmad Khlifat) PETRA — The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA) has introduced a new tourism route, celebrating its launch with an inaugural hike aimed at promoting eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities for the local Bedouin community. The Khurmah Trail is part of an extensive network of 27 hiking trails recently developed or rehabilitated by the PDTRA. According to Chief Commissioner of the PDTRA Fares Braizat, the initiative includes three trails within the Petra Archaeological Park, while 24 others extend beyond its boundaries. 'Today, we are hiking the trail of Khurmah, which takes almost a day and ends in a Bedouin tent, offering an authentic experience operated by the local community,' Braizat told The Jordan Times. The trail runs from Al-Rajef and Daghlah to Masoudah, where it is managed by the Jabal Masoudah Cooperative Association, a locally owned organisation dedicated to preserving Bedouin traditions and fostering economic growth. It leads to Beit Al Sa'idiyyin, a newly inaugurated cultural and hospitality hub, opened by the Chief Commissioner of the PDTRA on Monday. The event was attended by the Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Tarik Khan, the Commissioner for Infrastructure and Investment, Mohammed Habahbeh, the UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan, Randa Abu Hassan, and notable figures from the Daghlah region and local residents. Preserving heritage and locals through immersive hikes Beyond offering stunning landscapes and an immersive hiking experience, the trail initiative aims to support the local economy. 'One of the major contributions is the representation of Bedouin culture,' Braizat noted. 'The Bedouin heritage of Petra and Wadi Rum is recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2008, and we want to showcase it to the world as an immersive hospitality experience.' Visitors will not only visit Petra's breathtaking geological formations but also engage with Bedouin life, traditions, and hospitality. The initiative ensures that tourism directly benefits local communities, aligning with broader sustainable tourism goals. Khurmah Trail : a Journey through time The Khurmah Trail, spanning 14 kilometres, provides an adventure through diverse landscapes and historical sites. Starting from the village of Al-Rajef, 25 kilometres south of the Petra Visitor Centre, the hikers journey westward through the Samaan area before reaching the trailhead at Arqoub Al-Ghanimat. Along the way, they encounter remnants of Nabatean water systems, archaeological ruins, and stunning natural rock formations. Notable historical sites along the trail include Al-Munqata'a, a sating from the Chalcolithic period featuring ancient flint tools and pottery fragments, Wadi Khurmah, a valley known for its striking rock formations and Edomite-period artifacts, Jabal Qala'a, home to a Nabatean water reservoir, Qulai'ah, an Iron Age settlement from the 7th century BC showcasing fortifications and ancient pottery, and Al-Sada, a site revealing Palaeolithic and Nabatean habitation, with well-preserved homes and agricultural remnants. The trail concludes in Masoudah, where visitors can rest in a Bedouin tent and enjoy traditional Jordanian hospitality. 'Most of the trails that we have rehabilitated and now introduced to our visitors will be posted on our website 'Visit Petra'. Those hikes are suitable for children aged 10 and above. Families can enjoy the scenery and unique geological formations. They can also learn about the topography of Jordan and archaeology that extends beyond Petra,' Braizat told the Jordan Times. The Petra Authority's efforts in expanding its trail network reflect a commitment to eco-tourism, cultural preservation, and sustainable development. By integrating local communities into tourism initiatives, the project ensures that economic benefits are shared while offering visitors an enriching, authentic experience.
