Culture Minister Mustafa Al-Rawashdeh said the Jordanian national narrative project is an integrated national initiative that tells the story of the land and its people, documenting their achievements throughout successive historical periods and civilizations and reflecting Jordan’s deep cultural, civilizational and human heritage.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking on Sunday during a session titled “The Jordanian National Narrative: How Did the Media Understand and Present It?” at the “Future of Media and Communication” forum organized by the Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists at the Landmark Hotel in Amman, Al-Rawashdeh said the project is based on scientific and knowledge-based documentation. He added that it seeks to present the Jordanian narrative through contemporary approaches combining historical information with cultural and artistic perspectives and a human dimension.
He said the national narrative is not merely a presentation of historical events, but rather an integrated project that tells the story of Jordan and the people who lived on its land and contributed to its development. He noted that archaeological and historical evidence across northern and southern Jordan, as well as in the desert and Jordan Valley, highlights the civilizational importance of the land and the succession of civilizations that flourished there.
Al-Rawashdeh explained that the project relies on a team of specialists and researchers working through committees dedicated to history, archaeology, anthropology, sociology and other fields. These committees are responsible for documenting and verifying historical and cultural material before presenting it through engaging narrative approaches that appeal to both reason and emotion.
He said the Ministry of Culture is providing opportunities for Jordanian society to participate in documenting the national narrative through platforms that receive documents, personal accounts, stories, songs, traditional chants and other materials forming part of the national memory. He stressed that the project is open-ended and ongoing, and will not conclude once the documentation phase is completed, but will instead serve as a reference for researchers, those interested in Jordanian history and future generations.
Al-Rawashdeh emphasized the importance of presenting the national narrative in a way that strengthens Jordanians’ confidence in their country and its future, while highlighting the positive milestones in Jordan’s history and its cultural and civilizational heritage. He stressed that Jordanian identity is built on integrated national, Arab and human dimensions, and that the shared narrative reflects the achievements of the people who have lived on this land, regardless of regional or sectarian considerations.
He noted that Jordan’s cultural and social diversity is one of the defining features of its identity, adding that the Jordanian experience of coexistence and social cohesion is an important component of the national narrative that should be documented and highlighted for future generations.
In a related context, Al-Rawashdeh stressed the importance of keeping pace with digital transformations and employing artificial intelligence technologies in cultural and media work. He said the ministry has established a specialized directorate in this field to keep up with technological developments, while emphasizing the need for careful verification and the preservation of national values, historical facts and established principles when producing content using such technologies.
The session, moderated by Hossam Ghraibeh, featured journalist and former Culture Minister Basma Al-Nsour, as well as writer, researcher and journalist Mufleh Al-Adwan. Participants discussed the concept of the Jordanian national narrative, ways to document and present it through the media, and the role of media in conveying history and national memory to the public through professional and contemporary approaches.
