by Natasha Tynes | May 15, 2006 | Jordan, my nation, Media watch
I was told by informed sources that the publisher of VIVA magazine pulled the latest issue of the magazine right after it hit the stands because it contained risqué articles (by Jordanian standards) that discussed homosexuality and female sexuality. The magazine was then reissued after these pieces were removed. Well, I have to say I’m not surprised that this happened since so many in Jordan seem to be in denial about both issues. Sadly enough, for many in Jordan the concepts of female sexuality and homosexuality simply do not exist.
What puzzles me, though, is how the publishers figured that in this day and age they could get away with this kind of censoring without being scrutinized. The reason I’m putting these two articles up is to make a point: We cannot continue to live in denial. Someday we are going to have to acknowledge the fact that these issues do exist. And yes, even in Jordan of all places. Other Jordanian bloggers have done the same. Make sure to check out Khalidah and Hala’s blogs. So for those curious or those stuck with the censored edition of the magazine, here’s a chance to read those articles. Click the images (or text) to enlarge the scanned page and make sure your browser shows the image full-size to read. [The images are large.]
by Natasha Tynes | May 15, 2006 | Jordan, my nation
Ahmad at 360 East drew my attention to some good news in Jordan. According to Alghad [Arabic], fines for smoking in public will increase to a minimum of 100 JD ($140) and a maximum of 1000 JD ($1400) rather than the previous minimum of 25 JD ($35) and maximum of 500 JD ($700).
Believe it or not, this will include airports! Does this mean my constant battles at Queen Alia Airport will eventually come to an end? Part of me, wholeheartedly, wants to believe this but I’m still skeptical. The last time I tried to complain about smoking at the airport I was accused of being "too American." Let’s wait and see!
by Natasha Tynes | May 12, 2006 | Jordan, my nation, MM Vote
After nearly six months absence, Mental Mayhem’s opinion poll is back. The topic this week is the ongoing Hamas debacle. So far the poll’s results are in favor of the Jordanian government version of the story. Part of me wants to believe yesterday’s airing of the confessions of Hamas members on Jordan’s national TV would alter the opinions of skeptics out there. But I think I might be mistaken. A quick sift through the comments posted on different Jordanian blogs here and here and on my own blog seems to prove otherwise. Sadly enough, and for reasons I won’t get into now, it seems that there is a segment of society that insists upon doubting anything coming from the Jordanian government — no matter what; even if it involves their own security.
I wonder if those that continue to deny Jordan was eyed by some Hamas members as a possible military target have forgotten that Jordan was recently attacked. Jordan has been — and still is — a target. That’s the sad reality we have to grasp. Whether the perpetrators were Alqaeda or Hamas, I believe Jordanians should stand up and condemn these attempts instead of resorting to the old Middle Eastern option: embracing conspiracy theories.
Anyway, arguments about this are endless, so I will leave you with a quote from one of my favorite Jordanian bloggers, Khalaf:
Any self-respecting Jordanian who cared about the welfare of the country should stand up and tell Hamas to keep their hands off of Jordan. Smuggling weapons into the country, monitoring the movements of members of security forces and tourists and planning to commit terror is not a game, and this should not be a subject for political football.
by Natasha Tynes | May 11, 2006 | Jordan, my nation, The Mideast
Both Amarji from the Heretic blog and Abu Kais from Beirut to the Beltway blog are reporting that Syrian opposition figures will soon start operating from Amman and Lebanon. Their news source is Kuwaiti newspaper Al Siyasa. You can see the full article here [Arabic]. Here are some excerpts as translated by the two bloggers. Amarji says:
OK. So, a "well-known opposition figure in Brussels" reports that many former Syrian regime members, with military and security expertise, are currently converging on Lebanon and Jordan to establish bases for future anti-regime operations, promising "two explosions for every explosion and two assassinations for every assassination," all to be carried out with Saudi funding and approval.
Abu Kais adds:
Many houses in Beirut, Tripoli, Akkar, Sidon and Amman have reportedly been put at the disposal of the Syrian opposition. Funding and logistics are being provided by prominent Gulf officials and Western countries, the opposition figure claimed…
… Has the long-awaited march against the Damascus thugs begun? The military tone used by the opposition figure is frightening. But the stakes are high, and the Syrian regime left few other options. Let’s see how this report plays out in the media.
I wonder if the Jordanian media will ever report on this unusual development or will it be kept hush- hush, as is usually the norm. We do live in interesting times, indeed.
by Natasha Tynes | May 10, 2006 | Jordan, my nation
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan has detained more than 20 Hamas activists for smuggling arms from Syria, a government spokesman said Wednesday, revealing for the first time the number of Palestinians arrested since the cache was uncovered. Government spokesman Nasser Judeh accused the activists of plotting to destabilize the kingdom. He spoke as a Palestinian security delegation, headed by Maj. Gen. Tareq Abu Rajab, the head of Palestinian General Intelligence, began a two-day visit to Jordan to investigate the evidence against the Hamas militants. Judeh said the arrests took place three weeks ago, when the police seized the weapons, including missiles and rockets, that Hamas members had stockpiled in various parts of the country. Source: [Yahoo news]
So the Hamas issue continues to snowball while the number of skeptics keeps growing. From conversations I’ve had with a number of Jordanian and Arab nationals (both online and offline), very few seem to fully believe the Jordanian government’s version of the story. The Hamas debacle has clearly revealed that many Jordanians think twice before putting their full trust in the Jordanian government. I really think the government needs to work on improving its credibility amongst Jordanians. For reasons I don’t want to get into now, it appears conspiracy theories are here to stay.
