Madeleine Mezagopian

Is Independence a one day occasion for a celebration, parades, ceremonies and fireworks? Or is it a status of national privilege, right and dignity which warrants daily providence?

Independence encompasses national sovereignty over national borders, strong security apparatuses and army, and foremost people enjoying safety amid secure and stable national environment.

Today, Jordan’s people and their leadership commemorate and celebrate the day the Emirate of Trans-Jordan ceased to be a British protectorate, gained its independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946 and joined the United Nations as a full member in 1955.

However, today the celebration must be complemented with deliberations on how to further preserve the elements of independence and secure Jordan’s sovereignty.

Today, it’s a day to remember the recent developments that threatened Jordan’s sovereignty over its borders and on domestic level. Today, it is equally important to remember how these challenges threatening national interests were bravely met by the security apparatuses and by the army.

Today, on Jordan’s Independence Day, is a day to celebrate and strengthen good citizenship which surely complements the efforts of good governance in consolidating Jordan’s independence with each Jordanian citizen practicing her/his loyalty to homeland Jordan through being alert of what might threaten Jordan’s safety and stability and accordingly complement the efforts of the security apparatuses.

Today, we celebrate Jordan being a model of a country successfully guaranteeing stability and security amid a volatile environment and representing source of pride for its citizens which reinforces loyal citizenship. This source of pride is due primarily to the tolerant peaceful attributes of the Jordanian people and to the highly qualified and dedicated security and military entities living and operating hand in hand with the Hashemite leadership. A leadership that embodies and promotes peace while consolidating and promoting Jordan’s national interests in the region and worldwide and simultaneously providing a safe haven for millions of refugees.

A leadership that practices peace, mercy and justice thus worthy of being crowned as “Champions and Advocates of Culture of Peace and Human Security.”

Today, on Jordan’s Independence Day, celebrations must be complemented with the renewal of vows of good governance and of good citizenship hand in hand with good leadership, thus transferring today into a day of celebrations and rejuvenation of vows.