Day: May 13, 2025

Amman: The Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA), in partnership with the Pioneers Association for Astronomical Tourism, has launched a new cultural tourism route titled “Archaeo-Astronomy Tourism,” aimed at offering visitors a deeper understanding of Petra’s scientific and astronomical heritage.

According to Jordan News Agency, the initiative was inaugurated on Monday during an event in Petra that also featured the launch of a new book, “Al-Raqeem: The Nabataean Scientific Project in Petra,” authored by researcher Ma’moun Al-Nawafleh. The book explores the scientific achievements of the Nabataeans, particularly in astronomy and architecture.

Speaking at the event, PDTRA Chief Commissioner Fares Al-Breizat said the new trail reflects the Authority’s broader strategy to diversify Petra’s tourism offerings by incorporating educational and cultural elements. “This trail introduces visitors to the lesser-known scientific contributions of the Nabataeans, especially their advanced astronomical knowledge, which forms an integral part of Petra’s rich historical identity,” he said.

Al-Breizat emphasized the Authority’s support for initiatives that integrate scientific research with tourism development, noting that such efforts contribute to sustainable tourism and help extend visitor stays in the region, creating broader economic benefits for local communities.

Researcher and association president Al-Nawafleh explained that the trail is designed to revive interest in the scientific dimension of Nabataean civilization. He highlighted several findings from his book, including the argument that the Nabataeans invented the first compass and a device known as “Measurement and Perfection,” which he claims served as a precursor to the astrolabe and modern GPS technologies. According to Al-Nawafleh, Petra’s iconic Treasury (Al-Khazneh) also functions as an astronomical reference point, aligning with celestial events throughout the year.

Jordanian novelist Safaa Al-Hattab also took part in the event, offering a literary perspective on Petra’s identity and praising the collaboration between the PDTRA and the Pioneers Association for shedding light on Petra’s scientific legacy.

As part of the event, organizers also unveiled a meteorite fragment recently discovered in Petra. Experts at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University confirmed the object’s extraterrestrial origin, adding a symbolic dimension to the new trail’s cosmic theme.

The “Archaeo-Astronomy Tourism” trail is the latest addition to a growing portfolio of cultural routes developed by the PDTRA. These include the Khurma, Wadi Farasa, Al-Madras, and Prophet Haroun trails, all designed to offer visitors a broader and more immersive experience of Petra’s natural and cultural heritage.

According to the PDTRA, the new trail is intended not only to enrich the tourist experience but also to open new economic opportunities for local residents by increasing demand for guide services, accommodations, and locally made products.

The initiative is part of Petra’s long-term vision to position itself as a world-class tourism destination that blends historical authenticity with scientific and cultural innovation.

Amman: Minister of Transport Wissam Tahtamouni on Tuesday met with Turkish Ambassador to the Kingdom Yakup Caymazoglu to discuss enhancing cooperation in the transportation sector between Jordan and Turkey, particularly in public transport, air traffic, and institutional partnerships.

According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting, held at the Ministry and attended by the Turkish Embassy’s Commercial Attach© Mehmet Ural and Director General of the Hejaz Railway Zahi Khalil, focused on strengthening ties to serve the mutual interests of both countries.

Tahtamouni highlighted the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Jordan and Turkey, praising Turkey’s advanced public transport system and the ongoing cooperation between the Hejaz Railway Corporation and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA). She noted that this partnership has yielded several key initiatives and joint projects in recent years. The minister also commended the robust activity in the aviation sector between the two countries, reflecting vibrant tourism and economic exchange.

For his part, Ambassador Caymazoglu expressed appreciation for the strong Jordanian-Turkish relations and underscored his country’s interest in expanding cooperation across transportation sectors, particularly land transport. He affirmed Turkey’s readiness to share expertise and provide technical support to help advance infrastructure and enhance logistics services in Jordan.

The meeting falls within the broader framework of ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation in transportation, which supports the sustainable development priorities of both nations.

Amman: The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) closed Tuesday’s trading session with a 0.40 percent increase, bringing the general index to 2,564 points.

According to Jordan News Agency, the trading volume reached approximately 3.3 million shares, with a total value of around JOD 6.4 million executed through 2,746 transactions. Out of the companies whose shares were traded, 40 recorded gains, 17 declined, and 35 remained unchanged.

Amman: The 24th Youth and Technology Conference, themed “Effective Youth Participation and Human Rights,” is set to launch on Wednesday at the Dead Sea under the patronage of Khalil Abdallat, Director of the Human Rights Unit at the Prime Ministry. Organized by the Solidarity is Global Institute (SIGI), in partnership with the Prime Ministry and the National Women’s Committees Association, the conference is part of the “Vote” project, which seeks to enhance the role of women and youth in political life. It is supported by the Dutch Rutgers Foundation.

According to Jordan News Agency, the conference is scheduled to run from May 14 to 16, bringing together around 100 young men and women aged 18 to 30 from various governorates across the Kingdom. The aim is to boost their engagement in human rights advocacy and community initiatives. The agenda includes working sessions focused on empowering women and youth in leadership and decision-making through education, training, and civic initiatives. A key feature will be the presentation of a policy for integrating persons with disabilities into the workforce from a rights-based perspective.

Participants will also present policy papers developed during earlier training sessions as part of the “Vote” project, alongside presentations of successful female-led initiatives in local and community work. This event forms part of the long-running “Youth and Technology” conference series launched by Solidarity in 2009. Now in its 24th edition, the series aims to build youth capacities, strengthen their community involvement, and encourage the use of technology in addressing humanitarian and social challenges from a feminist, rights-based, and developmental lens.

Shobak: The Ministry of Culture announced the selection of Shobak District as the Jordanian City of Culture for 2025 during an official ceremony held at the district’s Martyrs’ Hall. The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh and was attended by representatives from official, cultural, and community institutions.

According to Jordan News Agency, Rawashdeh mentioned that the program is part of the Ministry’s strategy, which aligns with the Royal vision to foster pride in the national heritage and cultural identity. This initiative aims to encourage creativity and cultural development throughout the Kingdom’s governorates. Shobak was chosen due to its rich historical and cultural heritage, highlighted by its iconic citadel, which symbolizes key historical eras. The district’s scenic landscapes and vibrant cultural and social fabric also played a role in its selection.

Rawashdeh emphasized the need for the active participation of the local community and creative individuals, especially the youth, in the upcoming activities and events. He highlighted the significance of cultural industries in promoting creativity within the fields of arts, crafts, and heritage.

During the ceremony, Shobak District Governor Sami Masarweh and Mayor Adel Rafay’a delivered speeches expressing their pride in Shobak’s selection. They affirmed their commitment to cooperating with the Ministry to implement a cultural program that showcases the district’s rich legacy.

The “Cultural Cities and Districts” project seeks to invigorate cultural activity across governorates through programs centered on arts, literature, and heritage. It aims to promote cultural engagement and reinforce the national identity.

Amman: Senate President Faisal Fayez on Tuesday held separate discussions with several foreign ambassadors to Jordan, focusing on bilateral relations and enhancing joint cooperation in various fields.

According to Jordan News Agency, Fayez met with the Ambassadors of the Netherlands, Harry Verweij, Australia’s Bernard Lynch, and Poland’s Lucian Karpinski to address several pressing issues in the region. During these meetings, Fayez emphasized Jordan’s steadfast positions on regional matters and highlighted His Majesty King Abdullah II’s efforts to end conflicts in the Middle East and provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Fayez underscored the King’s initiatives to secure a political resolution to the Palestinian cause, rooted in the two-state solution and international legitimacy resolutions. He called on the international community to take responsibility by working to stop the Israeli aggression and hold Israel accountable for actions against Palestinians.

He praised the robust relationships between Jordan and these countries, emphasizing the importance of strengthening ties in political, economic, and investment arenas. The ambassadors lauded Jordan’s pivotal role in achieving regional peace and acknowledged their countries’ strong relations with Jordan.

They expressed a commitment to developing these relations further, particularly by enhancing economic and investment partnerships, increasing trade exchange, and activating bilateral agreements to serve mutual interests.