Hmoud:Karak Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh announced Sunday that Hmoud, a village in Karak Governorate, has been selected as the Jordanian City of Culture for 2027. This designation recognizes its cultural and educational heritage and shows solidarity with residents following a recent terrorist attack.
According to Jordan News Agency, the announcement was made during the launch of the 20th edition of the Jordanian Family Library Project, also known as the Reading for All Festival, at the Hmoud Charity Association. The event was themed "A Library in Every Home." Rawashdeh emphasized that the designation honors Hmoud's contributions to education and culture and the sacrifices of its residents, while reaffirming the role of culture in promoting tolerance, citizenship, and social cohesion.
The Ministry of Culture plans to implement a comprehensive cultural program in Hmoud in 2027, which will include a new library, a cultural street, the Hmoud Prize for Arabic Fiction, and a memorial commemorating the village's history and the sacrifices of its residents. The initiative sends a message of solidarity after the recent tragedy, highlighting the importance of knowledge and culture in confronting extremism and intolerance.
Rawashdeh highlighted Hmoud's educational legacy, noting that residents established a school over a century ago to serve children from the village and neighboring areas. He also mentioned the village's literary contributions, particularly by renowned Arab novelist Ghalib Halasa. The launch of the Family Library Project in Hmoud underscores the importance of books and education in combating ignorance and extremism, with publications dedicated to the memory of the village's victims.
The project aims to promote reading by making books available to families, students, and young people at nominal prices, encouraging the development of home libraries and lifelong learning. The public is invited to visit exhibition and sales centers across the Kingdom from Nov. 1 to 5. Rawashdeh reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to expanding access to knowledge and promoting moderation under the national vision led by His Majesty King Abdullah II.
Jordanian Family Library Project Director Salem Daham stated that choosing Hmoud for the festival launch reflects its national and cultural significance and reinforces the role of knowledge in protecting communities against extremism. Fares Halasa, President of the Hmoud Heritage Revival Association, welcomed the initiative, saying it honors the village's history and sacrifices while reaffirming its commitment to education, coexistence, and national unity.