Amman, June 2 (Petra) — Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament
Mazen Al-Qadi on Tuesday patronized a ceremony marking the kingdom’s
80th Independence Day, organized by the Department of Palestinian
Affairs, camp service committees, advisory bodies and community
organizations in the kingdom’s refugee camps.

The event, held at Al-Wehdat Camp, was attended by the head of the
Parliamentary bloc of the Initiative Party, Ahmad Hamisat; head of
the Lower House Palestine Committee, Suleiman Al-Saud;
Director-General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs, Rafiq
Kharfan; and representatives of camp committees from across the
kingdom.

Al-Qadi said Jordanians commemorate Independence Day with pride,
reflecting on its profound significance and the values upon which the
state was founded. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by the
nation’s forefathers, which, he said, laid the foundations of
Jordan’s achievements and instilled resilience and strength in the
national consciousness throughout the history of the Kingdom.

He said Jordan’s foundations were established by the late King
Abdullah I, the founder of the kingdom and architect of independence.
The late King Talal drafted the constitution, while the late King
Hussein bin Talal elevated the nation’s standing. His Majesty King
Abdullah II, he added, has carried forward this legacy while
advancing the aspirations of Jordan, its people and the wider Arab
nation, steering the country through a turbulent regional environment
while preserving its strength and stability.

Al-Qadi said Jordan’s independence journey is marked by achievements
that have consolidated its position as a nation founded on wisdom and
moderation. He credited the country’s success to the leadership of
the Hashemites, the armed forces, security institutions and a loyal
people united behind their leadership.

He said that over the past 80 years, Jordan has remained a steadfast
supporter of Arab causes and a refuge for those in need, adding that
the country has never compromised on the dignity of the nation or the
security and well-being of its people.

Al-Qadi said the strength of Jordan’s independence is reflected in
the leadership of King Abdullah II and the support he enjoys from
Jordanians, as well as in the role of HRH Crown Prince Hussein bin
Abdullah II, whom he described as carrying the banner of the nation
and safeguarding its aspirations for the future.

He reiterated Jordan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause,
describing it as a matter of justice and rights. He said Jordan
remains committed to defending Palestinian land and holy sites and
continues its historical role in safeguarding Islamic and Christian
holy places in Jerusalem under the Hashemite Custodianship.

Concluding his remarks, Al-Qadi said Jordan remains resilient despite
regional turmoil and changing circumstances because it has built a
nation that values its people above all else.

For his part, Hamisat said Al-Wehdat Camp has always demonstrated
loyalty to Jordan and its Hashemite leadership. He extended
congratulations to Hios Majesty King Abdullah II and HRH Crown Prince
Hussein on the occasion.

He said Independence Day provides an opportunity to remember the
architects of Jordan’s independence, beginning with the late King
Abdullah I and continuing through the late King Hussein and His
Majesty King Abdullah II, whom he described as leading a
comprehensive modernization process.

Speaking from Al-Wehdat Camp, Hamisat reaffirmed support for the
king’s vision of a modern Jordan founded on justice, equality,
democracy and public participation in decision-making. He said
Jordan’s security and stability remain a source of pride amid a
challenging regional environment and stressed the importance of
preserving national unity.

He also paid tribute to Jordanians across the kingdom, saying the
nation’s progress is driven by achievement and the ability to
overcome challenges.

Al-Saud said Independence Day and the anniversary of the king’s
accession to the throne offer an opportunity to reflect on the
meaning of statehood, resilience and Jordan’s ability to remain
strong amid regional uncertainty.

He described Jordan’s independence as a story of a nation built
through determination, protected by sacrifice and guided by wisdom.
He praised the Hashemite leadership for preserving the country’s
stability and strengthening its regional standing.

Al-Saud said Al-Wehdat Camp carries special significance because it
represents both a national and humanitarian memory and serves as a
testament to Jordan’s support for the Palestinian cause and its
defense of Jerusalem and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian
people.

He stressed that the responsibility facing Jordanians today is to
protect national unity, reject divisive rhetoric and contribute
through action rather than slogans. Jordan’s future, he said, depends
on the efforts of its people, particularly its youth, and the
strength of its institutions.

Al-Saud concluded by renewing loyalty to His Majesty King Abdullah II
and HRH Crown Prince Hussein, saying Jordan would remain resilient
through the strength of its leadership, people, armed forces and
institutions.

Kharfan said Independence Day is a national occasion that highlights
eight decades of development and achievement under Hashemite
leadership, transforming Jordan into a model of security, stability
and national cohesion despite regional challenges.

He said the occasion provides an opportunity to renew loyalty to the
Hashemite leadership and honor the sacrifices made by previous
generations in service of the nation.

Kharfan said Jordan, under His Majesty King Abdullah II, continues to
support the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, including
the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4,
1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. He also reaffirmed
Jordan’s commitment to defending Islamic and Christian holy sites in
Jerusalem under the historic Hashemite Custodianship.

He stressed the importance of continued support for the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near
East (UNRWA), describing it as a witness to the Palestinian refugee
issue and a symbol of the international community’s responsibility
toward Palestinian rights.

Kharfan also praised royal initiatives and Hashemite efforts that
have contributed to the development of refugee camps and the
improvement of services provided to their residents.

He concluded by saying that camp residents will remain an integral
part of Jordan’s national fabric, committed to national unity, proud
of the country’s achievements and appreciative of the sacrifices made
by the Jordan Armed Forces and security agencies in safeguarding the
kingdom’s security and stability.

//Petra// AF