Jordan’s King Honoured with Doctorate from Oxford University

King Abdullah II of Jordan was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Civil Law by Diploma from Oxford University yesterday in recognition of “promoting moderation and achieving peace and justice for his people and for the peoples in the region.” Besides giving an impassioned speech at the university, the monarch visited the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and Pembroke College.Below is the entire text of King Abdullah II’s speech at Oxford University June 4, 2007.

"In the Name of God, the Most merciful, the Compassionate"

"Mr. Chancellor,"
"Distinguished Members of the University,"
"My friends,"

"It is a wonderful experience to join you today. For me, only one day at Oxford rivals this one, and that was the day in 1982 that I entered university, and joined this extraordinary community of fellowship and knowledge."

"I am especially pleased to receive this honour from the hands of a champion of global dialogue, my friend Chris Patten. But may I say, I see this honour as one for all Jordanians. It is they who inspire me - their achievement and tenacity; their hard work, and their loyalty to our nation. The responsibility I bear as a Hashemite is dedicated to their future. So today, it is on behalf of all Jordanians, that I do most gratefully accept this honorary degree."

"My friends,"

"Since 1190 Oxford has been welcoming international students ... encouraging the most rigorous enquiry ... and inspiring innovative thinking. This University is the wellspring of a worldwide community of graduates ... men and women energized by its standards of excellence and social responsibility. Scholars and scientists here have revolutionized human understanding and advanced human welfare ... not for your country only, but for the world."

"It is with a deep respect for these global contributions that I wish to speak today. I wish to speak about the urgent need to understand and act upon the threat facing the Middle East today. I wish to speak about the need to prevent global disaster by preventing regional disaster. I wish to speak about the opportunity to make my region a contributor to world stability, rather than a source of radiating crisis."

"Today, for much of the developed world, wars are history. For the Middle East, they remain a constant. Our region is in the firing line of extremist ideologies that seek to divide and control. Their strategy is to promote confrontation, break down moderation, and sever cooperation with the West. This minority of extremists have driven conflicts that are now increasing at an unprecedented rate. New actors, new military doctrines, and advanced weapons capabilities are transforming the security landscape. Frustration over the Palestinian situation has fuelled radicalism. There has been no easing of the public perception that the global system has ignored the Arab and Muslim world."

"I do not need to say that, for a region as strategic as the Middle East, these trends are a crisis - not only for us, but for you. Our regions are deeply intertwined - in trade, in the movement of peoples, in security, in ideas. And we have a critical shared interest in how the challenge is met ... whether we find the right answers ... and whether we find them in time."

"Powerful models are at hand. Our globalizing world has brought opportunity and progress, not just because of economic efficiencies, but because of its expanding partnerships. Here, and elsewhere, people are seeing that peaceful engagement, not hostility, is the way to a better future. It is a path that Europe itself has spearheaded, through historic reconciliations and a pioneering regional community. Today the European Community joins 27 countries and 500 million people ... with, by the way, at least six religions, with Islam as the second largest - all forming a diverse community, that cooperates, under the rule of law, for mutual benefit."

"It is moderation, not extremism, that opens the way to that future - through co-existence, cooperation, and all the benefits they entail. I believe this path is essential for my region. But to achieve it, we must work together - boldly, effectively - to create the strategic space for peace and progress to grow."

"The first step is - must be - peace at the core. Justice and statehood, finally, for the Palestinian people."

"We meet here today, on a day - June 4th - that resonates in the ears of every Arab. June 4th, 1967, marks the last day a Palestinian lived free of occupation. The next day, June 5th, began 41 years of whiplashing violence, invasive settlements, a crippled economy, and harsh and multiplying restrictions on life. For Israel, it has been 41 years of incessant conflict. Sixty years after its founding, it is still not recognized by 57 countries representing one-third of the members of the United Nations, with a total population greater than Europe and the United States combined."

"While the conflict continues, people on both sides lose. It is time to help people win. For Palestinians, justice and a future, in an independent, sovereign, and viable state. For Israelis, recognition and security - a security that isolation, behind walls and military forces, can never bring."

"The groundwork is in place, the opportunity is here. And Europe, especially the United Kingdom, can make a critical contribution ... as honest brokers in negotiations ... as sources of security support ... and as investors in the Palestinian economy. Your efforts will send a global message to young people, young Muslims especially, that the international community can and will deliver on its promise of justice and hope."

"Nothing is more important for the youth of our region - 200 million young men and women - the largest and the fastest growing youth cohort in our history. They see, in a thousand different ways, all this century has to offer ... and they want to share in that promise. Yet most of our countries are still developing their way out of poverty. Even in this plugged-in generation, illiteracy remains unacceptably high, especially for women. Our youth face some of the world's worst unemployment rates."

"We must respond. Over the next few years, there needs to be wide-scale, tangible solutions to the issues that affect people's lives: community development ... access to health care ... affordable energy ... secure water resources ... good schools ... gender equality ... and jobs, jobs, jobs - some 200 million more - for college graduates as well as school-leavers."

"We in the region are determined to lead the way. We look to those who understand the stakes to join with us. In Jordan, we have pressed forward, in spite of the obstacles, making a major commitment to development and reform. Our people are participating more actively than ever in the larger world, rejecting the voices of extremism and hatred. Our country is the home of the Amman Message ... with its global message about Islam and its call for tolerance, mutual respect, and human equality."

"My friends,"

"Jordan has taken risks for a future of peace in our region and the world. I hope we can look to the members of this university for intellectual, moral and practical support."

"Bonds between the Arab, Muslim, and British peoples go back hundreds of years. In the medieval Canterbury Tales, Chaucer tells us the mark of a learned English doctor: to be “well versed” in the work of Al Razi, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Rushd. Ibn Sina's The Canon of Medicine was a standard text for European medical students well into the 17th century."

"Today, such academic cross-fertilization continues. I treasure this honorary degree as a symbol of the close relationship between Oxford and the Arab world. Academic exchanges and joint projects have brought our people together. Our students have been welcomed here. Alumni make a major contribution. Jordan's Oxonians are in key roles across society - banking, telecommunications, humanitarian work, public service, and more."

"Such interactions between East and West are vital today - and we need many more. Not just official delegations, but students, teachers, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, development innovators and others. If we refuse to accept the walls that others would create, imagine what we can achieve. What new thinkers will emerge? What new art and inventions? What new breakthroughs will enlighten our understanding?"

"Millions of people in the Middle East want to share in creating a century of progress and peace. Let us not allow false divisions to hold us back. Let us not accept polarization. Together, we can leave old conflicts, old inequalities, old ignorance, in the past. Together, we can confront the attack on reason and co-existence. Together, we can make a reality of our shared humanity - European, Asian, Arab; Muslim, Christian, Jew; East and West."

"Thank you very much."

Photos: Yousef Allan

University of Jordan Bestows Honorary Doctorate upon Queen Rania

Yesterday, Queen Rania of Jordan was bestowed an honorary doctorate in educational sciences by the University of Jordan. She received the degree from the University of Jordan’s president Khaled Karaki for her many contributions to the educational system in Jordan. The university was established in 1962 by decree of the late King Hussein bin Talel.


Below is the full text of Queen Rania’s speech at the University of Jordan after receiving her honorary doctorate in educational sciences.

"In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate,"

"Your Excellency the President of the University of Jordan, distinguished professors, students,"

"Peace be upon you, God’s mercy and His blessings."

"Thank you for granting me an honorary doctorate from the University of Jordan – Jordan’s first university, which brought higher education to our country forty three years ago at a ceremony patronized by His Majesty, the late King Hussein bin Talal. There and then, His Majesty stood here to receive his honorary doctorate, and to graduate the first batch of students from this highly acclaimed educational establishment. At the time, there were one hundred and sixty seven students enrolled here. Over the past four decades, this university has graduated over one hundred and thirty thousand students, who stand witness of a prosperous future that started from here, from the lecturing halls of this great university."

"A couple months ago, I visited your campus – I walked through the Engineering Square. I wanted to meet with you in person, face to face. I wanted to enjoy the spirit of youth, its energy, passion for life, and unbound imaginations. I overheard some of the conversations you were having and felt myself going back to my twenties, and was overwhelmed by memories of my own university days."

"Your conversations there reminded me of my own conversations with my friends on campus, and in the dorms. With a future we knew nothing about, but anxiously wanted to delve into, we had the same worries, ambitions, responsibilities, families, and love. We shared the same feelings and hopes of youth everywhere."

"It is said, if you want to know something about a society, study its youth. When I look at you – you fill me with pride - educated, intellectual, diverse talents, courageous and holding your heads high. You are the pride of His Majesty King Abdullah and mine. When we travel we carry with us the success, achievements and offerings of our country’s youth everywhere. We tell your stories wherever we go, stories about the participation of the Jordanian youth as you help build society. We tell stories about Alia who, since ninth grade, has taught the women and girls in her community how to use computers. We tell stories about Mohammed, a sophomore at university, who volunteers to read to orphans twice a week. We tell stories about Rasha who helped in a kindergarten during her secondary school years. And we tell stories about Salma who taught kids how to draw in her spare time."

"Individual efforts, that may appear small, but have a big impact."

"When I overheard your discussions, politics were at the core: the tragic situation in Gaza; turbulences paralyzing Lebanon; violence and sectarianism threatening the people of Iraq. But the core of your interests was the situation in our beloved country, Jordan."

"I was touched by your love for your country. People are politicians by instinct – this is what the Greeks said when they named the society “polic”, the root for politician. They were not only referring to political events that we watch on the news. They meant citizenship. The “apolic” is the citizen himself, the individual who interacts with members of his society. They called those who dropped the right of the society for their effective participation - the “non-participatory”, who do not contribute towards decision making, or defining what they lack, or benefit for them and their society. The non-participatory follow preset routes without expressing their own views or influence."

"But Jordan’s youth are politicians. Their sense of responsibility towards their nation, themselves and their society is very evident."

"We are all that Arab spirit that His Majesty, the late King Hussein, called for building on this soil some four decades age, from your university. He called for “a spirit that blends the light of right with that of knowledge”. Yes, we are one harmonious spirit, a nation in one body, one identity, one destiny, and each individual is a responsible politician for himself and for others."

"Some of us may lose sight and find it difficult to focus and define where to start, or how to participate in influencing society. Others may believe that social responsibility is for others and overlook the fact that those participating do not take the place of those who are not. Building our future is a social responsibility that excludes nobody. It is your responsibility, and my responsibility. It is ‘and’ and not ‘or’. It is the responsibility of every Jordanian so that none of us finds himself on a path that has already been set for him. If you – the educated, the graduates, the politicians – do not participate in improving society, who will? If we do not move now, then when will we? If we do not help the less fortunate, and provide education for the less educated, and be compassionate towards the sick, who would? And when?"

"You are the ‘organs’ of this body, and you owe your body proper maintenance."

"And we all owe it to Jordan. From here, from this pulpit, and in front of you – I pledge to do more. But I need your help, for I am stronger through others, I am stronger through you."

"We need to work so that our efforts can shed light on the areas that rays of hope do not reach. Together, we will be able to stop recurring accidents on our streets; provide a book for each child to expand their imaginations and understanding; empower our women through projects that elevate their levels and societies. Together we can enter each home and corner, to open a window that allows the rays of Jordan’s sun in."

"And because you are that light, and that hope, His Majesty King Abdullah II launched the commission for ‘We are all Jordan’ aiming to activate your role in the political, economic, social, and development areas, to ensure you are the force of development and reform that Jordan aspires to achieve. This vision requires a general Jordanian youth initiative that involves university students in particular. Empowering a society always starts from schools, colleges and universities. The future starts in those rooms. Bearing this in mind, over the past few years His Majesty and I have worked to launch a number of initiatives that focus on education and teachers. In a few days we are going to launch a new initiative, “Madrasati”, which makes education a social responsibility. In our Kingdom, there are 500 schools in desperate need for basic infrastructure and repair."

“Madrasati” is based on the principles of participation and partnership. We need this partnership in education to rehabilitate the schools for our future generations. The initiative relies on private schools and companies to help renovate public schools. We also need every Jordanian to help us create an environment capable of absorbing the energies of our children, building their personalities, and fostering their talents. This will be an initiative where teachers become inspirers and guides who expand their students’ horizons and provide them with the tools they need."

“Madrasati” is your school. It needs your work and determination to renovate its walls, decorate its classes, inspire its students, and to enable students to become an effective force in society – as you have become. I need you to give some of your time to develop our schools and provide safe environments for our children. These are the schools of our future generations— your own children in a few years’ time, God willing."

"In the near future, we shall harvest the fruits of your decision to participate in “Madrasati”. This future starts the minute you decide to imprint your fingerprint upon it."

"A young girl of your age decided to play a role in the lives of others through voluntary work. She reminds herself all the time of the story that inspires her dedication. The story says that on one of the beaches a man saw a boy picking things off the beach and throwing them in the sea. The old man was surprised and went to him to ask him what he was doing."

"The boy said, I am returning the star fish back to the water; it is nearly rising tide time.”

"The man said, But son, the beach extends hundreds of miles, and millions of star fish have washed up on the shores by the tide. You will not be able to change all their destinies and return them to the sea.”

"The boy picked another star fish and threw it into the sea, challenging the man, as he said, But I have changed the destiny of this one.”

Professors, distinguished audience, our youth,

"The destiny of Jordan is in the hands of Jordanians. Each one of us has a role to play, and each one of us is a light that will illuminate when other lights fade. And if each one of us changes the destiny of one star, we will illuminate the whole nation with light and rays."

"Peace be upon you, God’s mercy, and His blessings."

Photos: REUTERS