Amman — King Abdullah II has sent a message to members of both chambers of Parliament, stressing that Jordanians’ assessment of Parliament’s performance is not limited to the legislation it passes, but also includes the nature of the language and conduct displayed by lawmakers under the dome.
اضافة اعلان
During the opening of the third ordinary session of the 20th Parliament on Monday, the King said in his Speech from the Throne that citizens’ needs and interests must remain at the forefront of decision-making rather than being treated as secondary considerations.
He stressed that discussing public issues and expressing opinions are constitutionally guaranteed rights, emphasizing that Jordan has room for every opinion expressed with responsibility and sincerity. He said love of country requires appreciation for what it provides, protection of the dignity of words, and adherence to the principles of respectful disagreement.
Embracing Differences and Promoting Tolerance
Professor of Political Sociology at the German Jordanian University Dr. Bader Al-Madi said the King had underscored the importance of several issues related to freedom of expression and freedom of opinion.
Al-Madi said the King has consistently emphasized the need to provide individuals with space to express what is on their minds, whether concerning political, rights-related or social issues, helping to strengthen this value within Jordanian society.
He added that the King had simultaneously highlighted a fundamental principle: disagreement should not turn into conflict, whether the differences are religious, sectarian or political. Such differences, he said, should remain within the framework of the values traditionally upheld by the Jordanian state.
Al-Madi explained that disagreement should remain confined to clear standards and should not be directed against the country, an individual’s right to express themselves, or the right of others to exercise the same freedom.
Achieving this balance, he said, strengthens a culture of tolerance and acceptance of differing views, while allowing people to disagree on certain issues and reach consensus on others.
He noted that these values are among the defining characteristics of advanced and civilized societies. Adherence to them helps societies preserve their values, ensure continuity, and maintain social cohesion and stability.
Maintaining this value system, strengthening stability and promoting social commitment create the conditions necessary for development and progress, whether at the institutional level, in technological advancement, the modernization of education, or the development of health and administrative systems, he said.
Al-Madi stressed that the balance addressed by the King is particularly important when applied to society, expressing confidence in Jordanians’ ability to understand and firmly establish these values.
He said implementing such principles should not be difficult for an advanced society that believes in freedom of expression and accepts differing opinions and disagreement on various issues.
When Disagreement Becomes Competition
Political analyst Dr. Munther Al-Hawarat said linking freedom of expression with respectful disagreement represents an important approach in this context.
He stressed that freedom of expression is a constitutional right, but its exercise should be accompanied by responsibility and respect for the views of others, away from insults, accusations of disloyalty and unfounded allegations.
Al-Hawarat said that meeting this standard, as can be understood from the King’s remarks, would strengthen democratic practice and transform disagreements among different parties from confrontation and hostility into constructive competition that produces ideas, programs and visions for the future.
He said establishing this approach would strengthen national unity and prevent political differences from turning into division within society. It would also create greater space for criticism and accountability without undermining individuals’ dignity or violating their personal rights.
Providing broader space for discussion and the expression of opinions would strengthen confidence in the state, contribute to the development of political life, and reinforce the concepts of pluralism and acceptance of others, he added.
It would also give genuine meaning to participation in public life and to discussions surrounding the performance of those in authority.
The objective, Al-Hawarat said, is to build a Jordanian society in which people can disagree without becoming divided, and express their views without undermining the foundations of society or its cohesion.
He added that, according to this vision, the Jordanian state is capable of accommodating opinions and positions that differ from those of its officials without treating them as threats, as long as they do not constitute security threats or contribute to division.
He stressed that establishing this balance would turn freedom of expression and disagreement into sources of strength for the state rather than sources of weakness, division or disruption.
Reviewing Domestic Discourse
Security and strategic affairs expert Dr. Omar Al-Raddad said the King’s emphasis on respectful disagreement and freedom of expression represents one of the approaches he has advanced, perhaps for the first time with such clarity.
He said it reflects what he described as close monitoring of the state of public dialogue in Jordan and of discussions that sometimes depart from reasoned debate through the use of accusations of disloyalty and language that targets Jordanians and their positions.
Al-Raddad said the King has affirmed that freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed and that disagreement is a healthy phenomenon, but its ultimate objective should be to serve Jordan — the country and its people — and protect and strengthen its unity.
He explained that this approach is not unique to Jordan, noting that countries around the world hold differing views but use national and broader public interests as a fundamental framework for managing their disagreements.
Al-Raddad pointed to what Jordan has witnessed in recent years and continues to experience, including the use of dangerous language and concepts that begin with accusations of disloyalty and extend to demonizing others, particularly when dealing with positions that express support for or defense of Jordan.
He said translating the King’s guidance into practical reality requires the government and its institutions to take appropriate measures through legislation, seminars, lectures and other means that can help establish these principles.
Success in achieving this balance, he said, would strengthen people’s commitment to and belief in their country.
He stressed that differences among Jordanians are natural, but they should revolve around visions and positions that ultimately serve Jordan, its country and its people. He said this is the central message the King sought to emphasize in his Speech from the Throne before Parliament.
Al-Raddad noted that the royal address carries an important message in this regard and reflects the King’s awareness of the debates taking place on social media and television networks.
He stressed the importance of political parties, professional associations, civil society organizations and the House of Representatives recognizing their responsibilities in this area, away from accusations originating from outside the country.
In the same context, he noted that the King pointed out in his Speech from the Throne that citizens do not follow the House of Representatives’ performance solely in terms of approving government-sponsored bills. They also follow the statements, positions and conduct of individual lawmakers and parliamentary blocs.
He added that some forms of public discourse seen in the domestic scene — whether involving hate speech, accusations or positions that contradict the state’s interests — require their authors to reconsider and adjust how they address national issues.
Such a review, he said, should be consistent with the requirements of responsible dialogue and help preserve the cohesion of Jordanian society.
Source: Al-Ghad
