#Emirate of Transjordan

[suetravelblog]

Jordan Independence Day Amman

Jordanian Flag Independence Day – Edarabia May 25 is Jordan Independence Day, and the “most important event in the history of the country, marking its independence from the British government in 1946”. The 2023 celebration signifies 75 years since Jordan “officially gained full autonomy in 1948“. King Abdullah I bin Al-Hussein “Jordan’s independence took place during the reign of King Abdullah I…

[psychologeek]

Jewish History and Zionism.

Or: why you gotta be so difficult about that tiny piece of land?

Ft. Britain, Ottoman empire, the Age of Enlightenment, and helll lot of racism.

(But like. That was obvious.)

ToC:

Britain, shortly (or: the problem with "but they created Israel!!")

Indigenous

Jews in the 19th century

The ottoman empire (pt.1 - geography and maps)

Bibliography (cited articles)

Edit: I changed/removed things that were spesificly for the person I had this discussion with, as they show understanding of what was problematic with their og comment, and regrets it.

~

A. This was not about you personally. It was about the way Jewish pain is constantly generalized and turn into something for "the world". Somehow, Jewish tragedies are either ignored or "a lesson for the world".

B. My problem with the term was that by saying "as a FELLOW JEW" you claim relationship to the community and kinship which you later use to dismiss cultural and community issues. You are Jewish (as your mother). My issue is that the only usage you seem to have is to make claims. This is... disturbing, seeing claimed made while ignoring the historical background. (AKA 2,000 years of exile, enslavement, oppressions and murders).

~

1. Britain:

The British were involved in the creation of The Jewish State, Israel by the “Balfour Declaration”. The League of Nations is a predecessor to the United Nations.

Yes, the British were involved in the creation of the Jewish state. As well as the Emirate of Trans-Jordan (1921-1946) - later became "Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan" (est. 1946). Also in the creation of India, Pakistan, and many other countries no one seem to have an issue with.

Also the france were involved in the creation of Lebanon, Algeria, Lybia, etc.

(The world was mostly controlled by EMPIRES. So yes. When an empire fall apart, sometimes there is an involvement in what happens next.)

Focusing on a certain group and judging them and their actions by different standards then others is. Uh. Pretty racist view, you know?

Britanica:

Alarmed by the extent of Arab opposition, the British government issued a White Paper in June 1922 declaring that Great Britain did “not contemplate that Palestine as a whole should be converted into a Jewish National Home, but that such a Home should be founded in Palestine.” Immigration would not exceed the economic absorptive capacity of the country, and steps would be taken to set up a legislative council. These proposals were rejected by the Arabs, both because they constituted a large majority of the total mandate population and therefore wished to dominate the instruments of government and rapidly gain independence and because, they argued, the proposals allowed Jewish immigration, which had a political objective, to be regulated by an economic criterion.

This is the area of the "British Mandate of Palestine". Brits had separated it and gave 2/3 and claimed it a different reign.

As for governing - The Hashemite emir Abdullah, elder son of Britain's wartime Arab ally Hussein bin Ali, was placed on the throne of Transjordan. 

Yet, for some reason, no one ever said anything like "from the river to Iraq, all the land will be back."

Hi, guess what is it called when there are laws that forbid and heavily reduce members of a spesific group from living in certain areas?

(Strangely, no such boundary was set on the immigration of Muslims, Christians, or any other kind of people. Only jews.)

Source: Israel embassy

In 1920, the Council of the League of Nations appointed Britain as the Mandatory entrusted with the administration of the Land of Israel. The borders of the land, as a separate country, were defined for the first time in many centuries. Until then, under the Ottoman Empire, the land's boundaries had not been defined because it was part of other large Ottoman districts like the district of Damascus and was not a distinct political unit. The term name "Palestine" that was chosen for this Mandate was based on the term name "Palestina" that was given to the country by the Roman Empire in the second century CE. The territory of the British Mandate included land on both sides of the Jordan River, encompassing the present-day countries of Israel and Jordan. About 77% of this Mandate was east of the river Jordan River, and in 1921, Great Britain created there a separate administrative entity called Transjordan. The changed mandate took effect in 1923

2. Indigenous

Here's another part I want to dig in deeper:

"(the arabs) constituted a large majority of the total mandate population" -

The Arabs. Notice the name? I wonder how they got there. A true mystery. Green: Arab Peninsula. Red: area in question.

Hebrew was spoken in the area long before Muhammad and the Muslim empire.

I grew up near a 2,000 year old burial cave. The stories I learnt about my heritage happened in places I knew, with names I understood the meaning of.

This is the equivalent of calling for land back in Pennsylvania in the name of  Pennsylvania Dutch.

3. Jews in the 19th century

Part of the reason for low Jewish population in the area was that unlike any other people, Jews were legally prohibited from living in the area. Now, some background: in general, the Ottoman empire was a pretty descent place for Jews, comparing to other places. Sure, had to pay extra taxes and not allowed to live in places, but you can mostly know you won't be exiled once the authorities felt like (looking at you Britain, Yemen, Spain, Morocco, and more). The 19th century had marked a rise in nationalism (results to the Fall of Empires in the 20th century). It also saw the coin of a new term: "antisemism".

This came to describe Jew-hatred that isn't focused on the religious part ("they killed Jesus"/"They kept faith for themselves"), but seem to have a more "neutral" reason. Even scientific, as "they are naturally inferior" (see "the race theory", Eugenics, and more.) If you see similarities with Romanis in Europe and Black people in America - yes. This wasn't just about Jews - it was a general trend due to the so called "Age of Enlightenment" in Europe.

Part of the things that happened to/in the Jewish Community in the 19th century including:

1860: Foundation of "Alliance Israélite Universelle" an international Jewish (charity) organization.

First mass Aliya (immigration to Israel) of Yemeni jews in 1882/Jewish year of תרמ"ב (aka "אעלה בתמר")

1827 (Russia): the "cantonists' Decree"

The "okaz" (regulation, instruction) of the emperor from the end of August 1827, which imposed an obligation on the communities to provide the monarchy with a fixed quota of rookie soldiers, stunned the Jewish population. The terrible tragedy of the kidnapping of Israeli children (from the age of twelve according to the law, but actually even from the age of eight) for military training is known in the history of Russian Jews, and has even been commemorated in literature. The service in the Nikolai army, which lasted twenty-five years, was counted from the age of eighteen, and the years of "education" of the minor abductees, the "cantonists", were not included in it, as these years were out of the calculation. The purpose of the government in this decree was to convert the Jews to their religion and to mix them with the Pravoslav Christian Russian population.

(translated from: Maor, Y., 1981)

1881-2: Sufot Banegev - mass Pogroms of jews in south-east Russia (Ukraine, Poland) after Tzar Nikolai's murder. The Jews were accused of the murder. I was unable to find any information in English, but here's one in Hebrew ("today in history"). (I might be able to get one in Russian if you know that.)

May Laws (link to online version of the Jewish Encyclopedia.)

During the 1880s - founding of multiple "Lovers of Zion" organisations in Russia.

The assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881 ushered in a painful new era. The pogroms after his death were followed by the notorious 'May Laws' of 1882 which stepped up economic discrimination against the Jews. The stirring among the Jewish community, both physical and intellectual, was heightened. Many more of them started to leave, mainly for America, and not a few began to think seriously about Jewish nationalism, with the result that the 'Lovers of Zion' Movement gained momentum. Some of them, whether for reasons of sheer physical safety or nationalism or a combination of both, thought of finding a home in the Ottoman Empire. (Mandel, 1974)

1894 (France): The Dreyfus affair

Theodore Herzl, a Jewish Journalist, was there as a reporter. He said this was the moment he realised jews As a journalist in France, Herzl became extremely upset during the Dreyfus affair, in which a Jewish army officer was falsely accused and convicted of espionage. The only solution to the problem of the Jews, he decided, was to create a Jewish state. Although Dreyfus was ultimately pardoned (in 1906), the episode revealed that emancipation would be an incomplete and ongoing process.

1896 (Vienna): Theodore Herzl published his book "Der Judenstaat: Versuch einer modernen Lösung der Judenfrage" (The Jews’ State: An Attempt at a Modern Solution to the Jewish Question)

Herzl published this work, Der Judenstaat, to galvanize his fellow Jews into action. He asserts that emancipation itself caused antisemitism, since it failed as a movement. He concludes that Jews cannot continue to live among other nations since their presence inevitably gives rise to hostility. Herzl’s answer was for Jews to organize a mass migration to a territory of their own.

1897: the First Zionist Congress of the Zionist Organization. The official goal of Zionism (Basel Program) read: "Zionism seeks to establish a home in Palestine for the Jewish people, secured under public law."

As we can see, the 19 century wasn't good to jews, especially in Russia (and I mean Russia of that time - which included the area of Ukraine, and parts of Poland). Starting with a legal forced children-kidnapping. During the 80s, massive pogroms, on long time and area, had spread terror among the Jewish communities. The authorities' refusal to assist and victim blaming weren't uncommon, but not in those masses. 2.4 million jews had left Russia during those years, mostly to the USA, Canada, and Argentina (115.000 ppl). 3% (~73,000 ppl) had immigrated to Israel.

Also a worldwide rise in nationalism*, that was also used as a reason for jew-hatred (bc what bring ppl together better than having the same enemy?). In France, the Dreyfus affair made Herzl realise that the emancipation (jewish semi-autonomous areas, a-la Reservations in usa) wouldn't work. It won't help to prevent the systematic and cultural discrimination. Eventually inventing *modern day* Zionism - secular consept. (not to be confused with Hibat Ztiyon/"Zion Loving" - which was an old Jewish consept since the first exile, 6th century BCE.

*Nationalism, as itself, wasn't a bad thing. It was a big part of decolonisation (as different groups in the empire demanded to have their own autonomy.)

4. Ottoman empire (Geography and MAPS)

Let's skip a few thousand miles away, to the Ottoman empire.

First thing we need to know is - how the map looked like, back then?

The empire was divided into different areas, that all had sub-areas, et al. For better understanding, think about it like USA's country vs. state. Vs. reign.

The empire was divided into different EYALETS (aka beylerbeyiliks. after 1860s- Vilayet), that contained several Sanjcks, that contained several Kazas.

This is a map of the empire in 1875, as it already started to fade:

Two more maps for better understanding of spesific areas

The Damascus Eyalet in 1795 (red):

(the north-west (top-left) is Sidon/Beirut/Sefad Eyalet. Do you see the Sea of the Galilee? It's the little dot in the middle).

1896:

Authority areas kept changing. This is another map, showing Vilayets (Syria, Beirut, Aleppo) and their Sanjaks (+independent Sanjak of Jerusalem).

I'm pretty sure that this one is the simplified version:

Why do I show it?

Well, first of all - definitions. Making sure we all know what area we're talking about. During the years, "Filistin"/"Palestine"/"Paleshet" used to refer to many areas: from almost all the southern levant to a coast reign, about the size of modern-day Gaza Strip.

Secondly? Our next part, about the Jews and the empire. Especially the 1881 declaration by the Council of Ministers that

"[Jewish] immigrants [would] be able to settle as scattered groups throughout Turkey, excluding Palestine".

(Mandel, 1974)

I wonder why..

~

I've been working on it for days, so I'll post this now and add the second part, in which I'll explain this last bit and continue, later.

Next part: immigration, Zionism, and the breaking point in the Jewish-Arab relationship (no, not 1948. It was 1929.)

Bibliography:

Mandel, Neville J. ( 1974). "Ottoman Policy and Restrictions on Jewish Settlement in Palestine: 1881-1908: Part I" (PDF). Middle Eastern Studies. 10 (3). Taylor & Francis, Ltd.: 312–332. Retrieved 29 March 2024.

Maor, Y. (1981). The “Sufot Banegev” as a Factor in the Rise of Nationalism among the Jewish Intelligentsia / ה"סופות בנגב" כגורם להתעוררות התודעה הלאומית בקרב המשכילים היהודיים. Proceedings of the World Congress of Jewish Studies / דברי הקונגרס העולמי למדעי היהדות, ח, 1–12. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23526296)

[mapsontheweb]

British Foreign Office memorandum, 1927 version of the Treaty of Sèvres, Sykes–Picot agreement, Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon, Mandatory Palestine and the Emirate of Transjordan

[rabbitcruiser]

The parliament of  Transjordan made Abdullah I of Jordan their Emir on May 25, 1946.

Jordan’s Independence Day 

Jordan’s Independence Day is celebrated on May 25 every year, and is the most important event in the history of Jordan, as it commemorates its independence from the British government. After World War I, the Hashemite Army of the Great Arab Revolt took over the area which is now Jordan. The Hashemites launched the revolt, led by Sharif Hussein, against the Ottoman Empire. The Allied forces, comprising Britain and France supported the Great Arab Revolt. Emir Abdullāh was the one who negotiated Jordan’s independence from the British. Though a treaty was signed on March 22, 1946, it was two years later when Jordan became fully independent. In March 1948, Jordan signed a new treaty in which all restrictions on sovereignty were removed to guarantee Jordan’s independence. Jordan joined and became a full member of the United Nations and the Arab League in December 1955.

History of Jordan Independence Day

The first appearance of fortified towns and urban centers in the land now known as Jordan was early in the Bronze Age (3600 to 1200 B.C.). Wadi Feynan then became a regional center for copper extraction with copper at the time, being largely exploited to facilitate the production of bronze. Trading, migration, and settlement of people in the Middle East peaked, thereby advancing and refining more and more civilizations. With time, villages in Transjordan began to expand rapidly in areas where water resources and agricultural land abound. Ancient Egyptians then later expanded towards the Levant and would eventually control both banks of the Jordan River.

There was a period of about 400 years during which Jordan was under the rule and influence of the Ottoman Empire, and the period was characterized by stagnation and retrogression to the detriment of the Jordanian people. The reign of the Ottoman Empire over Jordan would eventually cease when Sharif Hussein led the Hashemite Army in the Great Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, with the Allies of World War I supporting them. In September 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognized Transjordan as a state under the terms of the Transjordan memorandum. Transjordan remained under British mandate until 1946, when a treaty was signed, with eventual sovereignty being granted upon signing a subsequent treaty in 1948.

The Hashemites’ assumption of power in the Jordan region came with numerous challenges. In 1921 and 1923, there were some rebellions in Kura which were suppressed by the Emir’s forces, with British support. Jordan is generally a peaceful region today, and it has become quite a tourist destination in recent times.

Jordan Independence Day timeline

3600 B.C. Earliest Known Jordanian Civilizations

Fortified towns and urban centers begin to spring up in the area now known as Jordan.

1922 Jordan is Recognized as a State

In 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognizes Jordan as a state under the Transjordan memorandum.

1946 First Independence Treaty is Signed

In 1946, Emir Abdullāh negotiates the first independence treaty with Britain which would later lead to Jordan's ultimate independence in 1948.

1955 Jordan Joins the United Nations

Jordan becomes a member of the United Nations and the Arab League in 1955.

Jordan Independence Day FAQs

What day is Jordan’s Independence Day?

Jordan’s Independence Day is May 25, every year. It marks the anniversary of the treaty that gave Jordan her sovereignty.

When did Jordan become independent?

On May 25, 1948, Jordan officially became an independent state.

Who is Jordan’s current leader?

The current ruler Of Jordan is the monarch, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of Jordan.

How to Observe Jordan Independence Day

Light up some fireworks

Prepare some mansaf

Share on social media

One of the hallmark celebrations of any independence day is the show of fireworks. Be sure to be a part of the beauty!

As you probably already knew, Mansaf is Jordan’s national dish. As such, preparing it on such a special day as Independence Day is a brilliant idea.

Take pictures and videos of you in your dishdasha celebrating Independence Day. Share them on your social media!

5 Interesting Facts About Jordan

Home to the Dead Sea

A nexus between Africa, Europe, and Asia

Over 100,000 archeological sites

The world’s oldest dam

Jesus was baptized in Jordan

The Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on Earth, is located in Jordan.

Jordan is a pivotal point connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Jordan has over 100,000 archeological and tourist sites.

Jordan is home to the world’s oldest dam, the Jawa Dam.

Jesus, who is the symbolic character of the Christian faith, was baptized in the Jordan River before beginning his ministry.

Why Jordan Independence Day is Important

Jordan is peaceful and liberal

The weather in Jordan is nice

Jordan is a tourist’s dream

Though a generally conservative country, Jordan is relatively liberal. The country is peaceful and tolerant of foreign cultures.

Jordan is a warm region. The weather is usually warm and pleasant at all times of the year.

Jordan has everything a tourist could dream of. Beautiful sights, calm weather, a welcoming culture, and amazing people make it a fantastic place for tourists.

Source

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

Is there any connection between the Nazi war of extermination against the Jews that ended in May 1945 and the war of the Arab armies against Israel which started in May 1948? It’s an obvious question, but one that is rarely asked. Why?

The answer is because – at least this is my assumption – the provable existence of threads of continuity between 1945 and 1948 calls into question cherished certainties: for example, the conviction that the Arab movement against Zionism and Israel had nothing to do with the Nazi fantasies of the previous phase and that Israel, i.e. Jews, were mainly responsible for the 1948 war and antisemitism in the region.

My new book Nazism, Islamic Antisemitism and the Middle East (Routledge, August 2023) challenges this conventional wisdom. It offers a new interpretation of the origins of the Arab-Israel war of 1948.

The central role of Nazi antisemitism in the planning and implementation of the Shoah is well known. The impact of that same Nazi antisemitism on the Middle East, on the other hand, remains gravely under-researched.

My book aims to fill this gap to the extent currently possible. It sets forth the methods used by Nazi Germany from 1937 onwards to disseminate its antisemitism in the Middle East in the Arabic language and the role that this antisemitism would play eleven years later, when the Arab armies fell upon the newly founded Jewish state of Israel. This fateful war triggered the Palestinian refugee catastrophe that has marked the Middle East conflict ever since.

The spread of antisemitism in the Middle East did have something to do with the Zionist movement and the building of the Jewish state. There was, however, more than one way to respond to these developments. There were, for example, Egyptians who welcomed the ‘victory of the Zionist idea [as] the turning point for … the revival of the Orient’. Others, such as the ruler of Transjordan, Emir Abdullah, sought sometimes more, sometimes less cooperation with the Zionists. A third group may have opposed Zionism, but not Judaism, while initially it was only the supporters of the Mufti of Jerusalem, Amin El-Husseini, who adopted the antisemitic approach. The Nazis exclusively backed this last group. They saw the clashes in Palestine as an opportunity to promote their form of Jew-hatred and to impose an antisemitic interpretation on the local conflict.

Only in recent years has the significance of the Nazis’ Arabic-language propaganda in the Arab world been brought to light, notably through the pioneering work of Jeffrey Herf. In 2009 he introduced us to the content of the manuscripts of the Nazis’ Arabic-language broadcasts in his book Nazi Propaganda for the Arab World. Five years later, David Motadel published further important findings in his study Islam And Nazi Germany’s War. Building on these studies, the current book presents a series of new facts that have the potential to change our view of the past and present of the Middle East conflict.

[jordanandegypt]

Exploring Amman

September 14, 2024

Salam

Today the 8 of us under the leadership of our of fine trip leader, Nader, set out to discover Amman, a city of 5 million people that has been constantly inhabited for the last 10,000 years.  No easy task - but luckily we had all day.  So much to learn, to understand and to explore.   Of course I’m being facitious as it would take years to just study of history of this city - but we will try to get what we can with the time we have.

Amman is a city of hills - 7 to be exact.  Amman, Jordan is the world’s oldest constantly inhabited city, and if historical records are anything to go by, there have been people living in the region since 7250 BCE.  We drove around a tiny bit of this huge city and headed to the Citadel.  WOWZA!!   Most of the structures still visible at the site are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods.  The major remains at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.  

Behold the Roman Temple of Hercules.

I’m not going to lie here - I never heard of the Umayyad period - so it took some time for me to put this into my brain.

From Britannica:

Umayyad dynasty, (661–750) First great Muslim dynasty. It was founded by Muʿāwiyah I, who triumphed over the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, ʿAlī, to become the fifth caliph. He moved the capital from Medina to Damascus and used the Syrian army to extend the Arab empire. The Umayyads’ greatest period was under Abd al-Malik (r. 685–705), when their empire extended from Spain to Central Asia and India. Their decline began with a defeat by the Byzantine Empire in 717

The roof is new - really new 1998!

The Byzantine church

As we have witnessed around the world, the conquering group destroys the conquered's most sacred building and rebuilds atop the ruins.  Nothing new here and we could see the different “level” in the work that is on-going on the Citadel.  Most of of the damage that we saw on The Citadel was from a major earthquake in 749 CE.

The Citadel has a wonderful very small museum and I enjoyed it greatly.  The following info is really for me - because this museum laid out by “ages.”  It was no surprise to see lots of artifacts from every “age."

These are the archaeological ages generally cited, particularly as they pertain to human history in the Middle/Near East:

Stone Age—2,000,000 to 3300 b.c.e.

Palaeolithic—2,000,000 to 10,000

Neolithic—10,000 to 5000

Chalcolithic/Copper Age—5000 to 3300

Bronze Age—3300 to 1200 b.c.e.

Early Bronze—3300 to 2200

Middle Bronze—2200 to 1550

Late Bronze—1550 to 1200

Iron Age—1200 to 586 b.c.e.

Iron i—1200 to 1000

Iron iia—1000 to 925

Iron iib—925 to 586

As I mentioned people have been in this area a VERY long time.

This little guy is from 6500 BCE!

BUT before I go on it is necessary for us to understand the following terms and how these “terms" plays into the history of Jordan.

The Lavent - literally meaning the lands east of the Mediterranean Sea - including Crypus.  Dark green in the picture below.

The Fertile Crescent

The Ottoman Empire

Colonization

OK - so what is up with the maps?  All of these maps are the land mass “Jordan” but the country of Jordan with its current day borders are new -  1946.

I lifted the info below from Wiki and I’m leaving in some of the links.  The reason I added this is to give you an idea of the long and complex history of this region.

Modern-day Jordan has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic period. Three kingdoms emerged in Transjordan at the end of the Bronze Age: Ammon, Moab and Edom. In the third century BC, the Arab Nabataeans established their kingdom centered in Petra. Later rulers of the Transjordan region include the Assyrian, Babylonian, Roman, Byzantine, Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and the Ottoman empires. After the 1916 Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during World War I, the Greater Syria region was partitioned, leading to the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921, which became a British protectorate. In 1946, the country gained independence and became officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The entire concept of “nationalism” is also new.  Prior to the establishment of “borders” - something the people in the region had little to do with - there was no such things as a “Jordanian.”  Nader told us that while his generation embraces being “Jordanian” his grandparents had no such belief.  

The Flag

The flag explained: 

Remember the official name is The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - but the “region” that became Jordan was part of several caliphates over the years.  More maps…

The flag honors the history of the “Jordanians”. The 7 pointed star is for the 7 hills of Ammon and the 7 verses of Al-Fatah - the first chapter of the Quran.  Nad told us the verses and their meaning and it is about being a good human, humble, serving others  and asking for God’s guidance.  (Of course that is my take away and I mean no disrespect if I have left out things.)

So - on to the next thing - lunch.

We were welcomed with a small cup of coffee with cardamon  - delicious.

Then lots of bread and dips.  The hummus is out of this world!!!

We finished with barbecued lamb, chicken and kabobs.

Next we headed back to the hotel for some down time.  On the way we talked about water.  It is scare and very expensive.  All the buildings have water tanks.

The water tanks are filled by the city/region/municipalities on a certain schedule - usually one week, but where Nad lives it is every 3 weeks.  The tanks are metered and depending on the area and height of the building an additional water pump might be necessary to get the water to the tanks.  The plumbing for the water fill is internal. Water pressure remains a problem that prohibits the water from being free flowing. Water charges vary depending on usage and sometimes it is necessary to buy water from a water truck at a much higher rate.  The amount of tanks you get depends on the size of the family living in the home.  In Michigan, we take unlimited access of clean water for granted - no doubt -  and being in a region where water is so limited makes me appreciate that luxury.

Mark and I opted for naps during our downtime and then a short walk to around the hotel grounds and pool.  

At 18:00 we headed down to old town to experience the market and do a little people watching.  LOVE IT!

My conclusion:  Lots of smokers!!  Nad told us about 25% of women smoke and 50% of men.  I never saw a woman smoking during our walk.  Smoking - FYI - is allowed in restaurants!  🤮.   Variations on clothing range from supper conservative - to western ware but still quite modest.  We saw woman wearing niqab, chador and hijab head coverings - but most often it was the hijab.  

They come in lots of beautiful colors and prints.  We also saw plenty of women wearing no head covering.  

Men - just looked like men, wearing whatever they wished although we did see a few men wearing a Thobe.

All were shopping and seemingly enjoying theirselves. Again - I see we have more alike than different

We saw a Mosque that has been in use for centuries and we were lucky enough to be standing right in front of it as call to prayer was announced.

We finished the evening in a little restaurant that specialized in falafel.  Let me just say YUM - and although I can’t have any of the bread options, I am not going hungry and trying to deal with my hatred toward my fellow travelers who are mopping up all the wonderful side dishes with their wonderfully smelling bread. (Just kidding - kinda)

I’m not sure when we got home - but we were tired.  I did some research of things I had experienced during the day - then went to bed.  Our first full day in Jordan was spectacular!!

Salam.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 5.25 (before 1960)

567 BC – Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans. 240 BC – First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet. 1085 – Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors. 1420 – Henry the Navigator is appointed governor of the Order of Christ. 1521 – The Diet of Worms ends when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw. 1644 – Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing. 1659 – Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth of England. 1660 – Charles II lands at Dover at the invitation of the Convention Parliament, which marks the end of the Cromwell-proclaimed Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland and begins the Restoration of the British monarchy. 1738 – A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with settlement of a boundary dispute and exchange of prisoners. 1763 – First issue of Norske Intelligenz-Seddeler, the first regular Norwegian newspaper (1763–1920). 1787 – After a delay of 11 days, the United States Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after a quorum of seven states is secured. 1798 – United Irishmen Rebellion: Battle of Carlow begins; executions of suspected rebels at Carnew and at Dunlavin Green take place. 1809 – Chuquisaca Revolution: Patriot revolt in Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre) against the Spanish Empire, sparking the Latin American wars of independence. 1810 – May Revolution: Citizens of Buenos Aires expel Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros during the "May Week", starting the Argentine War of Independence. 1819 – The Argentine Constitution of 1819 is promulgated. 1833 – The Chilean Constitution of 1833 is promulgated. 1865 – In Mobile, Alabama, around 300 people are killed when an ordnance depot explodes. 1878 – Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore opens at the Opera Comique in London. 1895 – Playwright, poet and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison. 1895 – The Republic of Formosa is formed, with Tang Jingsong as its president. 1914 – The House of Commons of the United Kingdom passes the Home Rule Bill for devolution in Ireland. 1925 – Scopes Trial: John T. Scopes is indicted for teaching human evolution in Tennessee. 1926 – Sholom Schwartzbard assassinates Symon Petliura, the head of the government of the Ukrainian People's Republic, which is in government-in-exile in Paris. 1933 – The Walt Disney Company cartoon Three Little Pigs premieres at Radio City Music Hall, featuring the hit song "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" 1935 – Jesse Owens of Ohio State University breaks three world records and ties a fourth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Field Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 1938 – Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people. 1940 – World War II: The German 2nd Panzer Division captures the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer; the surrender of the last French and British troops marks the end of the Battle of Boulogne. 1946 – The parliament of Transjordan makes Abdullah I of Jordan their Emir. 1953 – Nuclear weapons testing: At the Nevada Test Site, the United States conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test. 1953 – The first public television station in the United States officially begins broadcasting as KUHT from the campus of the University of Houston. 1955 – First ascent of Mount Kangchenjunga: On the British Kangchenjunga expedition led by Charles Evans, Joe Brown and George Band reach the summit of the third-highest mountain in the world (8,586 meters); Norman Hardie and Tony Streather join them the following day.

[helpxpatjordan]

Ten Interesting Jordan Facts You Didn’t Know

If you are a history freak and love to learn about new lands and their archaeological delights, then Jordan is a great place to consider moving to. The relocation services Jordan can take you through the paperwork and visa processing.

Jordan was once known as the Emirate of Transjordan. The official name is now the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Petra is located in Jordan, an archaeological wonder and famous UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is known for its rose-red cliffs, always a fascination for guests.

Jordan has the world-famous Dead Sea, and it is also the lowest point on Earth’s surface. The rich mineral mud rejuvenates the skin, and high salt concentration makes the body float and leaves it rejuvenated and refreshed.

Jordan had a massive earthquake about 2000 years ago. It is believed that the earthquake damaged a lot of buildings and there were many fatalities as well.

The Red Sea is the only shoreline for Jordan, but it is only 16 miles long. So Jordan is pretty landlocked otherwise.

The ancient landscape of Jordan has always been a favored movie shooting location and many excellent movies were shot here. One noted movie is The Last Crusade with the famous Indiana Jones, and then you have movies like Red Planet, The Martian.

The city of Jordan, Amman is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is also one of the world’s largest Neolithic settlements with roots in the Stone Age as well.

Jordan is a very important place religiously too because it has shrines for Jews and Muslims and you all find Jordan mentioned in biblical stories.

Try the national dish of Jordan – Mansaf. It is the perfect representation of the wonderful culture of Jordan; this delicious cuisine is a must-have. The meal actually dates back to 1200 AD.

You have the world’s oldest dam in Jordan, the Jawa Dam and it dates back to the 4th millennium BC. The purpose is to provide water to Jordan, but there is still a water shortage in the country.

There are many people who claim that Jesus was baptized here in Jordan by John the Baptist, but there aren’t several proofs supporting this. Jordan is most definitely an interesting place to move to. If you are keen on exploring the land and settling there, you can rely on the best relocation companies in Jordan to guide you.

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Friday, 29th September

Welcome, Willkommen, Benvenuta, नमस्ते 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 29th September through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

29th September 2022 🗓️ : Death - Akissi Kouamé Akissi Kouamé, Ivorian army officer (b. 1955) "Brigadier-General Akissi Kouamé (1 January 1955 – 29 September 2022) was an Ivorian army officer. She joined the army's medical service in 1981, whilst still a medical student. Kouamé became the first woman in the army to qualify as a paratrooper and in 2012 became its first female general. ..."

29th September 2018 🗓️ : Death - Otis Rush Otis Rush, American blues guitarist and singer (b. 1934) "Otis Rush Jr. (April 29, 1934 – September 29, 2018) was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. His distinctive guitar style featured a slow-burning sound and long bent notes. With qualities similar to the styles of other 1950s artists Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Svein M Agnalt

29th September 2013 🗓️ : Event - Gujba college massacre Over 42 people are killed by members of Boko Haram at the College of Agriculture in Nigeria. "On 29 September 2013, gunmen from Boko Haram entered the male dormitory in the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, Nigeria, killing forty-four students and teachers...."

29th September 1973 🗓️ : Death - W. H. Auden W. H. Auden, English-American poet, playwright, and critic (b. 1907) "Wystan Hugh Auden (; 21 February 1907 – 29 September 1973) was a British-American poet. Auden's poetry was noted for its stylistic and technical achievement, its engagement with politics, morals, love, and religion, and its variety in tone, form, and content. Some of his best known poems are about..."

Image by Carl Van Vechten

29th September 1923 🗓️ : Event - Mandate for Palestine The Mandate for Palestine came into effect, officially creating the protectorates of Mandatory Palestine under British administration and Transjordan as a separate emirate under King Abdullah I. "The Mandate for Palestine was a League of Nations mandate for British administration of the territories of Palestine and Transjordan, both of which had been conceded by the Ottoman Empire following the end of World War I in 1918. The mandate was assigned to Britain by the San Remo conference in..."

Image by British government

29th September 1812 🗓️ : Birth - Adolph Göpel Adolph Göpel, German mathematician (d. 1847) "Adolph Göpel (29 September 1812 – 7 June 1847) was a German mathematician who wrote the first paper on hyperelliptic functions and who introduced Göpel tetrads. ..."

29th September 🗓️ : Holiday - Inventors' Day (Argentina) "Inventors' Day is a day of the year set aside by a country to recognise the contributions of inventors. Not all countries recognise Inventors' Day. Those countries which do recognise an Inventors' Day do so with varying degrees of emphasis and on different days of the year...."

[ramadhanseries]

தமிழில்....

What happened on the sixth day of Ramadan throughout history?

In 624 CE, the Battle of Badr took place on the 17th of Ramadan (which some sources suggest was the sixth day of Ramadan) during the early years of Islam. It was a key battle between the Muslims and the Meccans, and is considered a turning point in the history of Islam.

In 624 CE, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed on the sixth day of Ramadan between the Muslims of Medina and the Meccans. This treaty brought an end to the fighting between the two parties and allowed the Muslims to make a pilgrimage to Mecca the following year.

In 634 CE, the Battle of Basra took place on the sixth day of Ramadan. The battle was fought between the Rashidun Caliphate and the Sassanid Empire, resulting in a decisive victory for the Muslims.

In 732 CE, the Battle of Tours was fought between the Franks and the Umayyad Caliphate, and some sources suggest it took place during Ramadan. The battle is significant as it halted the expansion of the Umayyad Caliphate into Western Europe.

In 1483 CE, King Edward IV of England died on the sixth day of Ramadan.

In 1520 CE, the Ottoman Sultan Selim I died on the sixth day of Ramadan. He was succeeded by his son, Suleiman the Magnificent.

In 1565 CE, the Great Siege of Malta began on the sixth day of Ramadan. The siege was carried out by the Ottoman Empire against the Knights Hospitaller, and lasted for several months before ultimately resulting in a victory for the Knights.

In 1889 CE, the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated on the sixth day of Ramadan.

In 1921 CE, the Emirate of Transjordan was established by Abdullah I of Jordan on the sixth day of Ramadan. This marked the beginning of the Hashemite rule in the region.

In 1926 CE, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was reopened for Muslim worship on the sixth day of Ramadan after being closed for several years by the British authorities.

In 1943 CE, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising began on the 14th day of Nissan, which some sources suggest was the sixth day of Ramadan. The uprising was a Jewish resistance effort against the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II.

In 1948 CE, the Deir Yassin massacre occurred on the sixth day of Ramadan. The massacre was carried out by Zionist paramilitary groups against Palestinian villagers, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people.

In 1967 CE, the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War began on the fifth day of Ramadan, which ended on the tenth day of Ramadan. This war saw Israel defeat several Arab countries and gain control of the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights.

In 1969 CE, the Islamic holy site of Masjid al-Haram in Mecca was attacked by a group of armed militants on the sixth day of Ramadan. The attack resulted in the death of several people and caused widespread damage to the mosque.

In 1980 CE, the Iranian Embassy Siege began in London on the sixth day of Ramadan. The siege was carried out by six armed men from the Democratic Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of Arabistan, and lasted for six days.

In 1991 CE, the Ethiopian Civil War ended on the sixth day of Ramadan with the overthrow of the Marxist Derg regime. The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took control of the country and established a new government.

In 1995 CE, a powerful earthquake struck the city of Neftegorsk, Russia on the sixth day of Ramadan. The earthquake caused widespread damage and resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 people.

In 2001 CE, the Taliban regime in Afghanistan was overthrown on the sixth day of Ramadan by the United States-led coalition forces, marking the end of the War in Afghanistan.

In 2011 CE, protests broke out in Syria on the sixth day of Ramadan, marking the beginning of the Syrian Civil War. The conflict has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and caused widespread destruction throughout the country.

In 2016 CE, a suicide bombing occurred in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia on the sixth day of Ramadan. The attack targeted the Prophet's Mosque and resulted in the deaths of several people.

In 2019 CE, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began on the sixth day of May. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset and engage in increased spiritual activity.

In 2021 CE, the United Nations observed the International Day of Living Together in Peace on the sixth day of Ramadan. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding among different cultures and religions.

வரலாறு முழுவதும் ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் என்ன நடந்தது?

624 CE இல், பத்ர் போர் இஸ்லாத்தின் ஆரம்ப ஆண்டுகளில் ரமலான் 17 ஆம் தேதி (சில ஆதாரங்கள் ரமழானின் ஆறாவது நாள் என்று கூறுகின்றன) நடந்தது. இது முஸ்லீம்களுக்கும் மக்கா மக்களுக்கும் இடையே ஒரு முக்கிய போராக இருந்தது, மேலும் இது இஸ்லாமிய வரலாற்றில் ஒரு திருப்புமுனையாக கருதப்படுகிறது.

கிபி 624 இல், ஹுதைபிய்யா உடன்படிக்கை ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் மதீனா முஸ்லிம்களுக்கும் மக்கா மக்களுக்கும் இடையே கையெழுத்தானது. இந்த ஒப்பந்தம் இரு தரப்பினருக்கும் இடையிலான சண்டையை முடிவுக்குக் கொண்டுவந்தது மற்றும் அடுத்த ஆண்டு முஸ்லிம்கள் மெக்காவிற்கு புனிதப் பயணம் மேற்கொள்ள அனுமதித்தது.

கிபி 634 இல், ரமலான் ஆறாம் நாளில் பாஸ்ரா போர் நடந்தது. ரஷிதுன் கலிபாவுக்கும் சசானிட் பேரரசுக்கும் இடையே நடந்த போர், முஸ்லிம்களுக்கு ஒரு தீர்க்கமான வெற்றியை ஏற்படுத்தியது.

கிபி 732 இல், ஃபிராங்க்ஸ் மற்றும் உமையாத் கலிபாவுக்கு இடையே டூர்ஸ் போர் நடந்தது, மேலும் சில ஆதாரங்கள் ரமழானின் போது நடந்ததாகக் கூறுகின்றன. மேற்கு ஐரோப்பாவில் உமையாத் கலிபாவின் விரிவாக்கத்தை நிறுத்தியதால் இந்த போர் குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

கிபி 1483 இல், இங்கிலாந்தின் மன்னர் எட்வர்ட் IV ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் இறந்தார்.

கிபி 1520 இல், ஒட்டோமான் சுல்தான் செலிம் I ரமலான் ஆறாம் நாளில் இறந்தார். அவருக்குப் பிறகு அவரது மகன் சுலைமான் தி மகத்துவம் பெற்றார்.

கிபி 1565 இல், மால்டாவின் பெரும் முற்றுகை ரமலான் ஆறாம் நாளில் தொடங்கியது. முற்றுகை ஓட்டோமான் பேரரசால் நைட்ஸ் ஹாஸ்பிட்டலருக்கு எதிராக நடத்தப்பட்டது, மேலும் பல மாதங்கள் நீடித்தது, இறுதியில் மாவீரர்களுக்கு வெற்றி கிடைத்தது.

1889 CE இல், ஈபிள் கோபுரம் ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் திறக்கப்பட்டது.

கிபி 1921 இல், ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் ஜோர்டானின் அப்துல்லா I என்பவரால் டிரான்ஸ்ஜோர்டான் எமிரேட் நிறுவப்பட்டது. இது இப்பகுதியில் ஹாஷிமைட் ஆட்சியின் தொடக்கத்தைக் குறித்தது.

கிபி 1926 இல், ஜெருசலேமில் உள்ள அல்-அக்ஸா மசூதி பல ஆண்டுகளாக பிரிட்டிஷ் அதிகாரிகளால் மூடப்பட்ட பின்னர் ரமழானின் ஆறாவது நாளில் முஸ்லிம் வழிபாட்டிற்காக மீண்டும் திறக்கப்பட்டது.

1943 CE இல், வார்சா கெட்டோ எழுச்சி நிசானின் 14 வது நாளில் தொடங்கியது, சில ஆதாரங்கள் ரமலான் ஆறாவது நாள் என்று கூறுகின்றன. இரண்டாம் உலகப் போரின்போது போலந்தின் நாஜி ஆக்கிரமிப்பிற்கு எதிராக யூதர்களின் எதிர்ப்பு முயற்சியாக இந்த எழுச்சி இருந்தது.

கிபி 1948 இல், ரமலான் ஆறாம் நாளில் டெய்ர் யாசின் படுகொலை நடந்தது. பாலஸ்தீனிய கிராம மக்களுக்கு எதிராக சியோனிச துணை இராணுவக் குழுக்களால் படுகொலை செய்யப்பட்டது, இதன் விளைவாக 100 பேர் கொல்லப்பட்டனர்.

கிபி 1967 இல், அரபு-இஸ்ரேலிய ஆறு நாள் போர் ரமழானின் ஐந்தாம் நாளில் தொடங்கியது, அது ரமலான் பத்தாம் நாளில் முடிவடைந்தது. இந்தப் போரில் இஸ்ரேல் பல அரபு நாடுகளைத் தோற்கடித்து, சினாய் தீபகற்பம், மேற்குக் கரை, காசா பகுதி மற்றும் கோலன் குன்றுகள் ஆகியவற்றின் கட்டுப்பாட்டைப் பெற்றது.

1969 CE இல், இஸ்லாமியர்களின் புனித தளமான மக்காவில் உள்ள மஸ்ஜித் அல்-ஹராம் ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் ஆயுதமேந்திய போராளிகளின் குழுவால் தாக்கப்பட்டது. இந்த தாக்குதலில் பலர் கொல்லப்பட்டதுடன் மசூதிக்கும் பரவலான சேதம் ஏற்பட்டது.

1980 CE இல், லண்டனில் ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் ஈரானிய தூதரக முற்றுகை தொடங்கியது. அராபிஸ்தானின் விடுதலைக்கான ஜனநாயகப் புரட்சிகர முன்னணியைச் சேர்ந்த ஆயுதமேந்திய ஆறு நபர்களால் இந்த முற்றுகை மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டது, இது ஆறு நாட்கள் நீடித்தது.

கிபி 1991 இல், எத்தியோப்பிய உள்நாட்டுப் போர் ரமழானின் ஆறாவது நாளில் மார்க்சிஸ்ட் டெர்க் ஆட்சியை அகற்றியது. எத்தியோப்பிய மக்கள் புரட்சிகர ஜனநாயக முன்னணி (EPRDF) நாட்டைக் கைப்பற்றி புதிய அரசாங்கத்தை நிறுவியது.

1995 ஆம் ஆண்டு, ரமலான் மாதத்தின் ஆறாம் நாளில் ரஷ்யாவின் நெப்டெகோர்ஸ்க் நகரில் சக்திவாய்ந்த நிலநடுக்கம் ஏற்பட்டது. நிலநடுக்கம் பரவலான சேதத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியது மற்றும் 2,000 க்கும் மேற்பட்ட மக்கள் இறந்தனர்.

2001 CE இல், ஆப்கானிஸ்தானில் தலிபான் ஆட்சி ரமழானின் ஆறாவது நாளில் அமெரிக்கா தலைமையிலான கூட்டணிப் படைகளால் தூக்கியெறியப்பட்டது, இது ஆப்கானிஸ்தானில் போரின் முடிவைக் குறிக்கிறது.

2011 CE இல், சிரிய உள்நாட்டுப் போரின் தொடக்கத்தைக் குறிக்கும் வகையில், ரமழானின் ஆறாவது நாளில் சிரியாவில் போராட்டங்கள் வெடித்தன. இந்த மோதலின் விளைவாக மில்லியன் கணக்கான மக்கள் இடம்பெயர்ந்துள்ளனர் மற்றும் நாடு முழுவதும் பரவலான அழிவை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளனர்.

2016 CE ல், ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் சவுதி அரேபியாவின் மதீனா நகரில் தற்கொலை குண்டுத் தாக்குதல் நடந்தது. நபிகள் நாயகத்தின் மசூதியை குறிவைத்து நடத்தப்பட்ட தாக்குதலில் பலர் கொல்லப்பட்டனர்.

2019 CE இல், முஸ்லீம்களின் புனித மாதமான ரமலான் மே ஆறாம் நாளில் தொடங்கியது. இந்த மாதத்தில், இஸ்லாமியர்கள் விடியற்காலையில் இருந்து சூரிய அஸ்தமனம் வரை நோன்பு நோற்பார்கள் மற்றும் ஆன்மீக நடவடிக்கைகளில் ஈடுபடுகின்றனர்.

2021 CE இல், ஐக்கிய நாடுகள் சபை ரமழானின் ஆறாம் நாளில் அமைதியுடன் ஒன்றாக வாழும் சர்வதேச தினத்தை அனுசரித்தது. பல்வேறு கலாச்சாரங்கள் மற்றும் மதங்களுக்கிடையில் அமைதி, சகிப்புத்தன்மை மற்றும் புரிந்துணர்வை மேம்படுத்துவதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை நினைவூட்டுவதாக இந்த நாள் விளங்குகிறது.

[flagzworld]

Flag of Jordan

The Flag of Jordan was embraced officially on April 18, 1928. The flag comprises three even gatherings and a triangle with a star on the lift, considering the flag of the Center Easterner Revolt. The flag used by Hussein canister Ali was furthermore used as the flag of the Bedouin uprising. In a comparable period, his youngster Hussein compartment Abdullah laid out the Emirate of Transjordan. In comparative dates, a comparable flag was utilised in the start of the Domain of Iraq and in Hejaz.

https://www.xaphyr.com/blogs/193711/Flag-of-Jordan

[exploringinside]

On This Day – What Happened Today In History

On This Day – What Happened Today In History

On This Day – What Happened Today In History – September 29: Michaelmas (Western Christianity) Burhanuddin Harahap 1923 – The Mandate for Palestine came into effect, officially creating the protectorates of Mandatory Palestine under British administration and Transjordan as a separate emirate under King Abdullah I. 1955 – The first Indonesian legislative election resulted in an unexpectedly…

[silentambassadors]

After a long succession of being ruled various empires (including: the Nabataean [of Petra fame], the Roman, the Ottoman, and the British [under which Jordan was an Emirate, ruled by an Emir]), Jordan gained its independence in 1946 as Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan [with King Abdullah I as ruler], shortening the name to Jordan in 1949.  (Abdullah I’s son, Hussein, is the one who married the Arab-American Lisa Halaby [Queen Noor], although the current King Abdullah II’s mother was the Briton Antoinette Gardiner, [Muna al-Hussein].)  Hashemite, as you might or might not know, reflects the direct descent of the ruling family from Hashim ibn Abd Manaf, great-grandfather of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).

Stamp details: Stamp on top: Issued on: November 1, 1927 From: Amman, Emirate of Transjordan MC #119

Second row: Issued on: May 25, 1946 From: Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Transjordan MC #193

Third row: Issued on: August 1, 1949 From: Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan MC #219

Stamps on bottom: Issued on: June 10, 2016 From: Amman, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan MC #2310-2314

Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: Yes (since December 14, 1955) Official name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية Member of the Universal Postal Union: Yes (since May 16, 1947)

[rabbitcruiser]

The parliament of  Transjordan made Abdullah I of Jordan their Emir on May 25, 1946.

Jordan’s Independence Day 

Jordan’s Independence Day is celebrated on May 25 every year, and is the most important event in the history of Jordan, as it commemorates its independence from the British government. After World War I, the Hashemite Army of the Great Arab Revolt took over the area which is now Jordan. The Hashemites launched the revolt, led by Sharif Hussein, against the Ottoman Empire. The Allied forces, comprising Britain and France supported the Great Arab Revolt. Emir Abdullāh was the one who negotiated Jordan’s independence from the British. Though a treaty was signed on March 22, 1946, it was two years later when Jordan became fully independent. In March 1948, Jordan signed a new treaty in which all restrictions on sovereignty were removed to guarantee Jordan’s independence. Jordan joined and became a full member of the United Nations and the Arab League in December 1955.

History of Jordan Independence Day

The first appearance of fortified towns and urban centers in the land now known as Jordan was early in the Bronze Age (3600 to 1200 B.C.). Wadi Feynan then became a regional center for copper extraction with copper at the time, being largely exploited to facilitate the production of bronze. Trading, migration, and settlement of people in the Middle East peaked, thereby advancing and refining more and more civilizations. With time, villages in Transjordan began to expand rapidly in areas where water resources and agricultural land abound. Ancient Egyptians then later expanded towards the Levant and would eventually control both banks of the Jordan River.

There was a period of about 400 years during which Jordan was under the rule and influence of the Ottoman Empire, and the period was characterized by stagnation and retrogression to the detriment of the Jordanian people. The reign of the Ottoman Empire over Jordan would eventually cease when Sharif Hussein led the Hashemite Army in the Great Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, with the Allies of World War I supporting them. In September 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognized Transjordan as a state under the terms of the Transjordan memorandum. Transjordan remained under British mandate until 1946, when a treaty was signed, with eventual sovereignty being granted upon signing a subsequent treaty in 1948.

The Hashemites’ assumption of power in the Jordan region came with numerous challenges. In 1921 and 1923, there were some rebellions in Kura which were suppressed by the Emir’s forces, with British support. Jordan is generally a peaceful region today, and it has become quite a tourist destination in recent times.

Jordan Independence Day timeline

3600 B.C. Earliest Known Jordanian Civilizations

Fortified towns and urban centers begin to spring up in the area now known as Jordan.

1922 Jordan is Recognized as a State

In 1922, the Council of the League of Nations recognizes Jordan as a state under the Transjordan memorandum.

1946 First Independence Treaty is Signed

In 1946, Emir Abdullāh negotiates the first independence treaty with Britain which would later lead to Jordan's ultimate independence in 1948.

1955 Jordan Joins the United Nations

Jordan becomes a member of the United Nations and the Arab League in 1955.

Jordan Independence Day FAQs

What day is Jordan’s Independence Day?

Jordan’s Independence Day is May 25, every year. It marks the anniversary of the treaty that gave Jordan her sovereignty.

When did Jordan become independent?

On May 25, 1948, Jordan officially became an independent state.

Who is Jordan’s current leader?

The current ruler Of Jordan is the monarch, Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, King of Jordan.

How to Observe Jordan Independence Day

Light up some fireworks

Prepare some mansaf

Share on social media

One of the hallmark celebrations of any independence day is the show of fireworks. Be sure to be a part of the beauty!

As you probably already knew, Mansaf is Jordan’s national dish. As such, preparing it on such a special day as Independence Day is a brilliant idea.

Take pictures and videos of you in your dishdasha celebrating Independence Day. Share them on your social media!

5 Interesting Facts About Jordan

Home to the Dead Sea

A nexus between Africa, Europe, and Asia

Over 100,000 archeological sites

The world’s oldest dam

Jesus was baptized in Jordan

The Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on Earth, is located in Jordan.

Jordan is a pivotal point connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Jordan has over 100,000 archeological and tourist sites.

Jordan is home to the world’s oldest dam, the Jawa Dam.

Jesus, who is the symbolic character of the Christian faith, was baptized in the Jordan River before beginning his ministry.

Why Jordan Independence Day is Important

Jordan is peaceful and liberal

The weather in Jordan is nice

Jordan is a tourist’s dream

Though a generally conservative country, Jordan is relatively liberal. The country is peaceful and tolerant of foreign cultures.

Jordan is a warm region. The weather is usually warm and pleasant at all times of the year.

Jordan has everything a tourist could dream of. Beautiful sights, calm weather, a welcoming culture, and amazing people make it a fantastic place for tourists.

Source

[butterfly-winx]

Could you tell us what cultures are inspiration for the people who inhabit the planets of magical universe in your AU?

That's a little bit complex. I usually make up planets and countries with climate specifications, then fit a blend of existing cultures that have adapted to the given climate to my made up world. Because of this, my ideas range from general hunch to extremely specific sub-cultures of countries. (All of these are of course subject to change upon further research on my part.) Let's get cracking

Earth

I want to preface this by saying butterfly!verse uses a sort of AU Earth with shifted borders and history. If I am writing fantasy, I can invent a kinder world where less atrocities have happened (and give them to other planets instead lol). I situate Gardenia around the French-Italian border region on the Mediterranean coast, though have it be part of a unified Europa (spoken language: Esperanto). Tir nan Og is bona-fide Atlantis. Earth here has always had magic and coexisted with it like all other planets in the Magic Universe, though preferred to keep magic and non-magic affairs separate (The whole Fairy Court thing being separate from country legislations and borders). Then, ending the war of the Black Circle against the fey magic users of the planet, 7 heroic fairies sacrificed themselves to hide away all other magic beings of the planet in a time pocket (the breaking down of which is what causes the events of s4 to happen).

Now onto the actual culture influences.

Melody

Melody the country is influenced by "ancient" China (I am willing to go up to ming dynasty fashion-wise, but I am not doing communism) and adaptation to living in a desert by the aboriginal people of Australia. melody is majorly a desert planet with tightly controlled artificial weather, which irl more or less exists in the Emirates, so their attitude towards weather is definitely not what you'd find in actual historical China. The main religion is daoist inspired, with adaptations to a fictional world where magic of course exists.

Tengalu, Riven's home is based on Thailand and Cambodia and houses the very fought over river delta of the planet. Ohm is a blend of Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan - extremely hilly and tranquil.

Zenith

Zenith's cultural influences cover west and central Asia. Transjordan in a very unfunny pun is a reference to Cisjordan, a region in Jordan, because it refers to the opposite (trans) side of it, aka Israel c Palestine. Welcome to my jewish-Tecna agenda.

The irony of basing the cultures of a frosty planet on desert people doesn't escape me, but the berth of my influences does go up to Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The flavour of modern extravaganza is supplied by Quatar and the Emirates: to me they represent a detachment from the limitations the natural world enforces on people's lives. For the cold love getting inspo from ice road truckers in Siberia.

Solaria

Straightforwardly a mix of about every sun obsessed ancient civilisation (there were a lot). Selenite culture draws more from ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian practices and beliefs, while Rai culture is combining the Inca and Maya societal structures with Sumer and Babylonian practices. This is entirely based on vibes btw, I need to do a lot more research. Solaria is dry with lush red vegetation adapted to these conditions, which is why the Mediterranean region influences aren't spot on for my taste, but they are a bomb base.

Andros

The dominant culture of Andros is inspired by West African coastal countries, Ashanti kingdoms and islands of the Atlantic. There are specifically Polynesian inspired peoples as well (both on land and mer side), and even a minor group that takes after Sri Lanka (Nabu is from there). The island cultures and their lifestyle form the basis for how i imagine life to be like on a water moon like Andros, while the societal structures are influenced by West African cultures. Welcome #2 to my pre-colonial African gender diversity agenda.

Lynphea

Lynphea is a blend of South Asia and Amazonian cultures, with each region being slightly different. Where Flora is from is a mix of the Philippines, the Visayas specifically, and Ecuadorean rainforests (Shuar people). Helia's home is a blend of Vietnam and Mongolia, and the capital where Krystal is from is mainly inspired by Indonesia with hints of Mexico and Thailand in the architecture. A lot of forest adapted cultures from the tropical region, moving towards temperate forests in the north with influences from native North American cultures.

Domino

Domino is inspired by cultures converging on one thing: horse. It has a mix of Norvegian, Mongolian and Hungarian influences, recapitulating warring empires with a lot of love for their hooved friends. I imagine the planet being only populated on the northern continent, which is full of tall mountains, flattening out into plains towards the east. While I write Domino pushing for cultural homogenisation throughout its empire, I have a minority present who is still resisting that inspired by Roma people.

Manubra 47

I don't have a lot going for this one, but Eraklyon is very French Rococco to Romantic period, Callisto is medieval Venice/north Italy, and Nishi is feudal Japan of the 18-19th century.

Petrakalia

This is one of my fan-made ones and is again inspired by Jordan, Siria, and North Africa. A lot of dry stony places. I follow a few Amazigh artists and get a lot of inspo from them.

Greynor

Warmer regions are inspired by India and Pakistan with the temperate zones being East European influenced. The strongest visual I have for this place is a marchland-y forest, flooded by tiny rivers and the girls riding tiny boats among ancient ruins.

Dystillus/Dyamond

It's an icy planet illuminated by a red dwarf and takes inspiration from Korea and Siberia/Yakutsk.

I have nothing concrete for Prometia yet, but it's also on the list of locations.

[jordanandegypt]

Exploring Amman

September 14, 2024

Salam

Today the 8 of us under the leadership of our of fine trip leader, Nader, set out to discover Amman, a city of 5 million people that has been constantly inhabited for the last 10,000 years.  No easy task - but luckily we had all day.  So much to learn, to understand and to explore.   Of course I’m being facitious as it would take years to just study of history of this city - but we will try to get what we can with the time we have.

Amman is a city of hills - 7 to be exact. Amman, Jordan is the world’s oldest constantly inhabited city, and if historical records are anything to go by, there have been people living in the region since 7250 BCE.  We drove around a tiny bit of this huge city and headed to the Citadel.  WOWZA!!   Most of the structures still visible at the site are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods.  The major remains at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace.  

Behold the RomanTemple of Hercules.

I’m not going to lie here - I never heard of the Umayyad period - so it took some time for me to put this into my brain.

From Britannica:

Umayyad dynasty, (661–750) First great Muslim dynasty. It was founded by Muʿāwiyah I, who triumphed over the Prophet Muhammad’s son-in-law, ʿAlī, to become the fifth caliph. He moved the capital from Medina to Damascus and used the Syrian army to extend the Arab empire. The Umayyads’ greatest period was under Abd al-Malik (r. 685–705), when their empire extended from Spain to Central Asia and India. Their decline began with a defeat by the Byzantine Empire in 717

The roof is new - really new 1998!

The Byzantine church

As we have witnessed around the world, the conquering group destroys the conquered building and rebuilds atop the ruins.  Nothing new here about and we could see the different “level” in the work that is on-going on the Citadel.  Most of of the damage that we saw on The Citadel was from a major earthquake in 749 CE.

The Citadel has a wonderful very small museum and I enjoyed it greatly.  The following info is really for me - because this museum laid out by “ages.”  It was no surprise to see lots of artifacts from every “age."

These are the archaeological ages generally cited, particularly as they pertain to human history in the Middle/Near East:

Stone Age—2,000,000 to 3300 b.c.e.

Palaeolithic—2,000,000 to 10,000

Neolithic—10,000 to 5000

Chalcolithic/Copper Age—5000 to 3300

Bronze Age—3300 to 1200 b.c.e.

Early Bronze—3300 to 2200

Middle Bronze—2200 to 1550

Late Bronze—1550 to 1200

Iron Age—1200 to 586 b.c.e.

Iron i—1200 to 1000

Iron iia—1000 to 925

Iron iib—925 to 586

As I mentioned people have been in this area a VERY long time.

This little guy is from 6500 BCE!!

BUT before I go on it is necessary for us to understand the following terms and how these “terms" plays into the history of Jordan.

The Lavent - literally meaning the lands east of the Mediterranean Sea - including Crypus.  Dark green in the picture below.

The Fertile Crescent

Ottoman Empire

Colonization 

OK - so what is up with the maps?  All of these maps are “Jordan” but the country of Jordan with its current day borders are new -  1946.

I lifted the info below from Wiki and I’m leaving in the links.  The reason I added this is to give you an idea of the long and complex history of this region.

Modern-day Jordan has been inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic period. Three kingdoms emerged in Transjordan at the end of the Bronze Age: Ammon, Moab and Edom. In the third century BC, the Arab Nabataeans established their kingdom centered in Petra. Later rulers of the Transjordan region include the Assyrian, Babylonian, Roman, Byzantine, Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and the Ottoman empires. After the 1916 Great Arab Revolt against the Ottomans during World War I, the Greater Syria region was partitioned, leading to the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921, which became a British protectorate. In 1946, the country gained independence and became officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The entire concept of “nationalism” is also new.  Prior to the establishment of “borders” - something the people in the region had little to do with - there was no such things as a “Jordanian.”  Nader told us that while his generation embraces being “Jordanian” his grandparents had no such belief.  

The Flag

The flag explained: 

Remember the official name is The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - but the “region” that became Jordan was part of several caliphates over the years.  More maps…

The flag honors the history of the “Jordanians”. The 7 pointed star is for the 7 hills of Ammon and the 7 verses of Al-Fatah - the first chapter of the Quran.  Nad told us the verses and their meaning and it is about being a good human, humble, serving others  and asking for God’s guidance.  (Of course that is my take away and I mean no disrespect if I have left out things.)

So - on to the next thing - lunch.

We were welcome with a small cup of coffee with cardamon  - delicious.

Then lots of bread and dips.  The hummus is out of this world!!!

We finished with barbecued lamb, chicken and kabobs.

And dessert!

Next we headed back to the hotel for some down time.  On the way we talked about water.  It was scare and very expensive.  All the buildings have water tanks.

The water tanks are filled by the city/region/municipalities on a certain schedule - usually one week, but where Nad lives it is every 3 weeks.  The tanks are metered and depending on the area and height of the building an additional water pump might be necessary to get the water to the tanks.  The plumbing for the water fill is internal. Water pressure remains a problem that prohibits the water from being free flowing. Water charges vary depending on usage and sometimes it is necessary to buy water from a water truck at a much higher rate.  The amount of tanks you get depends on the size of the family living in the home.  In Michigan, we take unlimited access of clean water for granted - no doubt -  and being in a region where water is so limited makes me appreciate that luxury.

Mark and I opted for naps during our downtime and then a short walk to around the hotel grounds and pool.  

At 18:00 we headed down to old town to experience the market and do a little people watching.  LOVE IT!

My conclusion:  Lots of smokers!!  Nad told us about 25% of women smoke and 50% of men.  I never saw a woman smoking during our walk.  Smoking - FYI - is allowed in restaurants!  🤮.   Variations on clothing range from supper conservative - to western ware but still quite modest.  We saw woman wearing niqab, chador and hijab head coverings - but most often it was the hijab.  They come in lots of beautiful colors and prints.  We also saw plenty of women wearing no head covering.  

Men - just looked like men, wearing whatever they wished although we did see a few men wearing a Thobe.

All were shopping and seemingly enjoying their selves. Again - I see we have much more in common than different.

We saw a Mosque that has been in use for centuries and we were lucky enough to be standing right in front of it as call to prayer was announced.

We finished the evening in a little restaurant that specialized in falafel.  Let me just say YUM - and although I can’t have any of the bread options, I am not going hungry and trying to deal with my hatred toward my fellow travelers who are mopping up all the wonderful side dishes with their wonderfully smelling bread. (Just kidding - kinda)

I’m not sure when we got home - but we were tired.  I did some research of things I had experienced - then went to bed.  Our first full day in Jordan was spectacular!!

Salam.