Archive for the 'Jordan' Category

Childbirth Drama

Published at January 3, 2008 in Jordan, tragedy and crime.
657 Views |14 Comments

Childbirth: Isn’t that such a beautiful word? Shouldn’t it only be synonymous with joy and happiness? I for one think it should not be associated with anything but words such as: happy, congratulations, mabrook … so on and so forth.

But lately I’ve been increasingly reading horrific childbirth related stories: people dumping their babies in trashcans, others abandoning them in hospitals bathrooms, others under bridges, and sick people stealing other people’s babies!

What is exactly happening at maternity hospitals these days?

How on earth can someone wait for a baby to fully develop inside them, only to conclude that 9 month journey by dumping their offspring in a bin? And how on earth can someone have a heart to steal a little helpless baby from his mother’s caring bosom? That I would never know!

Another thing that really pissed me off even more is where the hell is the kidnapper’s neighbors’ from all that havoc? I mean if you live next to a woman who hasn’t had a child all her life and she suddenly has a baby in her arms, then shouldn’t you suspect that there’s something slightly wrong with that picture?

I just read that they captured the baby’s kidnappers after they left the poor thing in an alley in Al Wihdat. The little girl’s parents named her Liqa2 (that translates to reunion) after she was kidnapped hoping to reunite with her again soon and, thank God, they did.

Now here’s what really got me all wound up: the time a baby’s kidnapper has to serve in jail ranges from 3 months, to 3 years! ARE YOU F’N KIDDING ME?!?!

In some parts of the world, like Dubai for example, you get a nonnegotiable 4 year prison sentence for a worthless joint, BUT HERE, you can abduct a helpless baby from his family and get away with 2 years? Perhaps 6 months for good behavior!

Is it just me who thinks this sentence is unduly lenient?

On a seperate note, I wish everyone a happy 2008. May it bring happiness and fortune to all of you.

A happy day for journalism in the Arab region

Published at September 26, 2007 in Jordan, blogging, UAE and journalism.
704 Views |9 Comments

September 26th, 2007 marks a very pleasant day for journalism in both Jordan and the UAE, as both King Abdullah II and Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, coincidentally, stood up for freedom of speech in their countries: a move that was widely celebrated in all local newspapers and journalists associations.

Shaikh Mohammad issued instructions that no journalist is to be jailed for reasons related to his work

King Abdullah II confirms that there will be no restrictions on freedom of speech.

ROCK ON! rockon_emoticon.gif

The Man in Disguise is Back!

Published at September 16, 2007 in Jordan and health.
1,207 Views |16 Comments

It’s been ages since we heard stories about King Abdullah’s incognito visits and this one took me back to the early 2000’s.

The more I think about it the more I become proud and content of the wise and considerate leadership Jordan enjoys. The best way to feel with the people and know what exactly needs to be corrected is to be present at the notorious scene.

 

 

King in Disguise

King Abdullah could’ve simply taken the words of officials on the status quo of the Prince Hamzah Hospital, but he’s well aware of the fact that people would most probably tell him what he would like to hear.

I can imagine Mr. Samih Al Ma’aita (سميح المعايطة) kicking himself for ever having to write the article on how promising the hospital looks and the great investment Jordan made (more than 100 million $) in building that hospital. A quick look at Al Ma’aita’s article would make you think Jordan has introduced its version of Mayo Clinic.

But the reality is so far from what Mr. Al Ma’aita had predicted. The feedback from the people, after less than a year from inaugurating the hospital, was terrible: Doctors and nurses were being beaten by patients and their families, people called radio stations reporting bedbugs and lice, patients died because there were no medical specialists, in addition to a fire that broke out IN the hospital and a strike by the hospital workers and other reports by journalists who witnessed what the hospital is from the inside, all within the timeframe of one year.

Without a doubt, the King did not like what he saw.

Here are some excerpts from King Abdullah on why he goes incognito:

 

If I hear of a crisis in a certain area, I send people ahead of me a day or two beforehand to write a report. And then I confirm whether or not I actually need to go to this place.

 

 

If I wasn’t in disguise and was to go to an institution and ask what the problems were, people would probably say what I want to hear, or what they think is the right thing to say.

 

 

And then when we go, a lot of the security come with me, and they also take notes from what they see. We compile the reports after my visit, and the reports go to the government.

So to all the negligent, careless, inhuman officials in Jordan: you’d better start doing what you’re supposed to do, for the Disguised Man is back to haunt you!

King Abdullah Visits Prince Hamzah Hospital, in Disguise

Published at September 16, 2007 in Jordan, health and family.
1,474 Views |23 Comments

In the wake of all the media controversy surrounding my father’s ordeal at the Prince Hamzah Hospital, today evening (15th of September, 2007) a disguised King Abdullah II paid a visit to the infamous hospital and toured the rooms and inspected the medical services at the hospital, according to Rum Press Agency.

رم - خاص

لم تنقطع العادة الهاشمية في السهر على راحة البلاد والعباد واذا كان لكل هاشمي رؤياه في العدل فان حفيد سلالة الطيب ارادها خالصة لله فكان التخفي سمة مملكتنا الرابعة ومليكنا عبد الله الذي تقول المصادر انه قام بزيارة سرية الى مستشفى الامير حمزة في الهاشمي الشمالي قبل ان يحين موعد اذان العشاء الذي فيه رائحة التراويح من رمضان حيث ادى جلالة الملك صلاة التراويح ولكن لم يعلن احدا ان سيدنا كان قبلها بساعات يتجول في مستشفى الامير حمزة ويتفقد احوال المرضى واحوال المستشفى والخدمات المقدمة للمرضى وللمراجعين.ن

 His Majesty’s secret visit is, indeed, a royal gesture, but is not an uncommon one. Thank you Your Majesty!

The Minister’s Visit

Published at September 11, 2007 in Jordan, health and family.
3,003 Views |51 Comments

Following up on my last post, today (September 11th, 2007) Dr. Salah Al Mawajdeh, the Jordanian Minister of Health, visited my dad at the hospital, on behalf of His Majesty King Abdullah II. During his visit, Dr. Al Mawajdeh assured my father that a rigorous investigation is currently in place to identify those who committed the mistakes and punish them. The Minister also promised to do his best to make sure that my father stands back on his feet again.

The King’s concern and Dr. Al Mawajdeh’s reassurance has been tremendously comforting to all of us and now we can rest assured that those who acted irresponsibly will certainly be disciplined and our father’s health will be taken care of.

On behalf of my father, my mother and the rest of my family I’d like to thank His Majesty King Abdullah for the concern he has shown and Dr. Al Mawajdeh for his kind visit.

I won’t forget to reiterate my thanks to each and every one of you who helped in getting the message across. Indeed, I wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t for all your wonderful support.