Discover Jordanian Society

Overview of Jordanian Society

• Jordanian society is part of the Arab and Islamic culture with a Sunni Muslim majority and various Christian denominations.
• Family relations are strong and cohesive in Jordanian society due to the value system and clan ties.
• The average age of marriage has increased to 30 for males and 22 for females due to high costs, longer education, and a decline in marriage between relatives.
• Jordanian women have made significant gains in society due to expanded educational and employment opportunities and supportive laws and legislations.
• The population pyramid has a wide base due to a high percentage of children in Jordanian society.
• Despite religious, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic pluralism, Jordanian society is characterized by cohesion, interdependence, and compassion.
• Social qualities such as hospitality, generosity, and relief of the distressed are present in varying proportions in different environments.
• Jordanian society consists of several basic groups including Bedouin society, rural society, and urban (civil) society.
• Bedouin values still have a fundamental impact on public life, but the clans are no longer strictly adhering to traditional values.
• Rural life is based on acquaintance, neighborliness, kinship, and great collective friendliness.
• Urban society is characterized by individuality and achievement at the individual level, with the city playing a prominent role in economic, political, cultural, and social systems.
• Separating Jordanian society into distinct groups is difficult as many individuals may live and work in different environments.

Insights into Jordanian Society, Culture, and Traditions

• Jordanian society is diverse, with a majority of Sunni Muslims and Christian minorities belonging to various denominations.
• Family ties are strong in Jordanian society, and the average age of marriage is 30 for males and 22 for females due to the high costs and expenses of marriage and the duration of education.
• The Jordanian population pyramid has a wide base due to the high percentage of children, and the society is characterized by cohesion and interdependence despite pluralism.
• Jordanian society consists of Bedouin, rural, and urban groups, with Bedouin values still having a fundamental impact on public life.
• The national dish of Jordan is Mansaf, made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt called jameed and served with rice or bulgur.
• Jordanians dress modestly, and visitors are encouraged to dress conservatively in public spaces and religious areas.
• Jordanian weddings are multi-day events with several traditions, including the pre-engagement stage, engagement party, and wedding day.
• The groom is responsible for paying for all wedding expenses, and guests gift money instead of physical gifts.
• Poverty, unemployment, population growth, violence, and drug use are social challenges facing Jordanian society.
• Jordanian society is hospitable, generous, and compassionate, with a focus on family and community ties.
• Women have made gains in education and employment opportunities, and laws and legislations strengthen their status in society.
• Arabic coffee is a significant part of Jordanian culture, and shaking the cup from side to side indicates that more coffee is requested.Jordanian Weddings and Women: Cultural Traditions and Empowerment

Jordanian Weddings

• Jordanian weddings are known for their cultural significance and can last up to a week.
• The bride typically wears a white wedding dress while the groom wears a black suit, but in more traditional settings, the bride wears an embroidered dress with a silk cloth covering her head and gold or silver jewelry.
• Jordanians are known for cultural inter-marriages, making each wedding unique.
• Traditional Jordanian weddings are culturally relevant and not just another ceremony.

Jordanian Women

• Jordanian women have made strides in breaking into fields that were previously male-dominated.
• They have achieved success through persistence, determination, and continuous effort.
• Jordanian women enjoy a distinguished position and good space for participation in many fields due to their presence in a country that values women.
• Women have made a real imprint for themselves at all levels in education.
• Women are a key partner in the renaissance of Jordan and have assumed important positions in parliaments, dignitaries, and municipalities.
• Some women lack self-confidence and need to engage in work at all levels to take initiative in adopting effective ideas and successful projects.
• The Jordanian woman is an active partner in development and enjoys all the rights stipulated in the Jordanian constitution and international conventions.
• The issue of women's empowerment has received a large and clear space in the priorities and meetings of His Majesty King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, who is considered an example of Jordanian women who have achieved real achievements at all levels.

The Life and Legacy of King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan

• King Hussein bin Talal was the longest-serving executive head of state in the world at the time of his passing on February 7, 1999.
• He was born in Amman on November 14, 1935, to Prince Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil.
• King Hussein was the fortieth generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
• During his reign, King Hussein worked to build Jordan's economic and industrial infrastructure, including phosphate, potash, and cement industries, and a network of highways.
• He also focused on improving the quality of life for Jordanians, with significant improvements in literacy rates, access to water, sanitation, and electricity, and a decline in infant mortality rates.
• King Hussein played a pivotal role in promoting peace in the Middle East, including drafting UNSC Resolution 242 and convening the Madrid Peace Conference.
• He also worked to resolve disputes between Arab states, including the Gulf Crisis and mediating in the Yemeni civil war.
• King Hussein was committed to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights, and Jordan is recognized as having the most exemplary human rights record in the Middle East.
• He appointed a royal commission to draft a national charter, which serves as a guideline for democratic institutionalization and political pluralism in Jordan.
• King Hussein was an avid sportsman and accomplished aviator, motorcyclist, race-car driver, and enjoyed water sports, skiing, and tennis.
• He married Queen Noor in 1978 and had two sons and two daughters with her, and three sons and five daughters from previous marriages.
• King Hussein's legacy includes his commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights, as well as his efforts to improve the quality of life for Jordanians and build the country's economic and industrial infrastructure.

The Life and Legacy of King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan

• King Hussein bin Talal was the longest-serving executive head of state in the world at the time of his passing on February 7, 1999.
• He was born in Amman on November 14, 1935, to Prince Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil.
• King Hussein was the fortieth generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
• During his reign, King Hussein worked to build Jordan's economic and industrial infrastructure, including phosphate, potash, and cement industries, and a network of highways.
• He also focused on improving the quality of life for Jordanians, with significant improvements in literacy rates, access to water, sanitation, and electricity, and a decline in infant mortality rates.
• King Hussein played a pivotal role in promoting peace in the Middle East, including drafting UNSC Resolution 242 and convening the Madrid Peace Conference.
• He also worked to resolve disputes between Arab states, including the Gulf Crisis and mediating in the Yemeni civil war.
• King Hussein was committed to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights, and Jordan is recognized as having the most exemplary human rights record in the Middle East.
• He appointed a royal commission to draft a national charter, which serves as a guideline for democratic institutionalization and political pluralism in Jordan.
• King Hussein was an avid sportsman and accomplished aviator, motorcyclist, race-car driver, and enjoyed water sports, skiing, and tennis.
• He married Queen Noor in 1978 and had two sons and two daughters with her, and three sons and five daughters from previous marriages.
• King Hussein's legacy includes his commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights, as well as his efforts to improve the quality of life for Jordanians and build the country's economic and industrial infrastructure.

The Life and Legacy of King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan

• King Hussein bin Talal was the longest-serving executive head of state in the world at the time of his passing on February 7, 1999.
• He was born in Amman on November 14, 1935, to Prince Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil.
• King Hussein was the fortieth generation direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.
• During his reign, King Hussein worked to build Jordan's economic and industrial infrastructure, including phosphate, potash, and cement industries, and a network of highways.
• He also focused on improving the quality of life for Jordanians, with significant improvements in literacy rates, access to water, sanitation, and electricity, and a decline in infant mortality rates.
• King Hussein played a pivotal role in promoting peace in the Middle East, including drafting UNSC Resolution 242 and convening the Madrid Peace Conference.
• He also worked to resolve disputes between Arab states, including the Gulf Crisis and mediating in the Yemeni civil war.
• King Hussein was committed to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights, and Jordan is recognized as having the most exemplary human rights record in the Middle East.
• He appointed a royal commission to draft a national charter, which serves as a guideline for democratic institutionalization and political pluralism in Jordan.
• King Hussein was an avid sportsman and accomplished aviator, motorcyclist, race-car driver, and enjoyed water sports, skiing, and tennis.
• He married Queen Noor in 1978 and had two sons and two daughters with her, and three sons and five daughters from previous marriages.
• King Hussein's legacy includes his commitment to peace, democracy, and human rights, as well as his efforts to improve the quality of life for Jordanians and build the country's economic and industrial infrastructure.