Every year, Jordanians stand before luminous national milestones that encapsulate the journey of a homeland built by sheer will and whose glories were forged through sacrifices. In these moments, meanings of pride, belonging, and loyalty are renewed in their souls as the anniversaries of the Great Arab Revolt, Army Day, and the King’s Accession to the Throne converge. Together, they form the narrative of a nation written with resolve and pride—a story whose chapters have spanned decades, bearing witness to a deeply rooted and firmly established state led by the Hashemites and guarded by the brave men (Nashama) of the Arab Army.
اضافة اعلان
These immortal national occasions carry profound significance in the conscience of Jordanians. They are not merely historical milestones to remember, but represent core values, principles, and an ongoing journey of giving, building, and sacrifice. Through them, we recall the legacy of the Great Arab Revolt and take pride in the Arab Army that carried its message and preserved its principles. We also reflect upon the journey of achievement and giving under the wise Hashemite leadership, which has continuously built the modern Jordanian state and bolstered its standing among nations.
In the presence of the Arab Army, the nation stands tall and proud of the immortal heroism and deeds written by its sons. The army is the emblem of dignity and pride, the guardian of national achievements, and the author of pages of glory across various fields. The Arab Army has become deeply intertwined with the conscience of Jordanians due to the monumental sacrifices it has made to defend the homeland and the Arab nation, and because it embodies the values of self-sacrifice, loyalty, discipline, and commitment, ultimately becoming a symbol of national might and a school of manhood, honor, and sacrifice.
Chapters of glory have been written with the pure blood of martyrs, and timeless tales have been scripted by the knights of the Arab Army with their pure souls. The land of the homeland was nourished by the fragrance of sacrifice and redemption, turning the processions of martyrs into shining lanterns that illuminate the paths of generations and recount stories of heroism and courage to children and grandchildren. Their sacrifices remain a living testament that the security and stability of the homeland were never a free gift, but rather the fruit of the dedication of men who were true to their covenant with God.
When speaking of these glorious national occasions, we speak of an authentic Arab history. The Great Arab Revolt, which commenced on June 10, 1916, was the launching pad of our national and pan-Arab journey and the reference from which the Jordanian state inspired its values and message. It was an integrated Arab renaissance project that carried an emancipatory vision based on freedom, unity, and human dignity, and laid the foundation for a collective Arab national consciousness. Thus, it was a revolution of intellect and values as much as it was a revolution of struggle and the battlefield, championing Arab rights against the policies of Turkification, enforced ignorance, and injustice, and restoring the Arab nation's self-confidence and faith in its ability to shape its own future.
Sharif Hussein bin Ali, may his soul rest in peace, led that blessed revolution, which carried the message of renaissance and liberation. In 1916, he bestowed the name "The Arab Army" upon the forces of the Great Arab Revolt, a name that became the title of a prolonged journey of struggle and giving. Years later, the Jordanian Arab Army carried that very same message, serving as the natural extension of the Revolt and the faithful heir to its principles—inspiring values of faith, justice, freedom, dignity, and loyalty, and translating its goals into practical reality in service of the homeland and the nation.
From the womb of that revolution, the modern Jordanian state was born, and the noble House of Hashem followed its path, carrying its message and preserving its principles. This journey began with His Majesty King Abdullah I bin Al-Hussein, the Founder, who laid the foundations of the Jordanian state and placed the initial building blocks of its national institutions; continuing through His Majesty King Talal bin Abdullah, the maker of the Constitution; His Majesty the late King Hussein bin Talal, the builder of modern Jordan and leader of its development and modernization journey; and leading up to the reign of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who today leads the state's march with confidence and competence toward broad horizons of progress and prosperity.
The Throne Day embodies a national milestone in which we recall the journey of achievement and modernization led by His Majesty the King since assuming his constitutional powers on June 9, 1999. Under his leadership, Jordan has witnessed rapid steps toward consolidating an institutional state, upholding the rule of law, enhancing political participation, empowering youth and women, and developing various economic, social, educational, and health sectors. His Majesty has also launched comprehensive reform and modernization projects aimed at building a more competitive and sustainable economy, enhancing the investment environment, providing job opportunities, and improving citizens' standard of living, out of a firm belief that the Jordanian citizen is the true wealth of the nation and the core and purpose of development.
On the external front, since assuming his constitutional powers, His Majesty the King has worked to strengthen Jordan's regional and international standing, reinforcing its pivotal role in supporting regional and international security and stability, and building balanced relations with various sisterly and friendly nations. Stemming from His Majesty’s belief that Jordan is the heir to the message of the Great Arab Revolt, the Kingdom has remained continuously present in various Arab and Islamic causes, defending the interests of its nation and supporting its just causes—foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, which has always received His Majesty’s utmost attention, care, and steadfast stances in defense of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The Jordanian Arab Army constitutes a fundamental pillar of the Jordanian state. Since the establishment of the Emirate until the present day, it has enjoyed the continuous care and attention of the Hashemite leadership, which has granted it special consideration encompassing development and modernization in various organizational, operational, training, and armament fields. The decision to Arabize the command of the Arab Army, taken by the late King Hussein bin Talal, may his soul rest in peace, was a turning point in the journey of the Armed Forces, as it consolidated the independence of the national military decision-making and paved the way for a new phase of increased professionalism, efficiency, and excellence.
The Jordanian Armed Forces have maintained their military doctrine derived from the principles of the Great Arab Revolt, fighting battles of honor and heroism in defense of the homeland and the nation. Its heroes have written immortal epics on the land of Palestine since 1948, presenting the finest examples of sacrifice and redemption. Those heroisms culminated in the eternal Victory of Al-Karameh, which shattered the myth of the "undefeated army" and restored the Arab nation’s confidence in its ability to stand firm and achieve victory. Furthermore, the Armed Forces have stood alongside brotherly and friendly nations under various circumstances, participating in international peacekeeping missions and humanitarian and relief operations around the world, becoming a model to be emulated in professionalism, discipline, and humanitarian giving.
The role of the Arab Army is no longer confined to protecting borders and defending the homeland alone; rather, it has become an integrated national institution contributing to supporting the development process, participating in humanitarian and relief efforts, and keeping pace with rapid technological and military transformations to enhance its readiness and ability to face future challenges. Within this framework came the comprehensive structural transformation project directed by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, His Majesty King Abdullah II, aimed at building a modern, sophisticated, and flexible armed force capable of dealing with various emerging threats and challenges, and keeping pace with the requirements of modern warfare and changing operational environments.
The Jordanian Armed Forces have also witnessed a qualitative leap in the field of armament and military technology across various branches and formations. They have been equipped with the latest weapons systems, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, and information technology. Border security systems have been developed to include advanced electronic systems, cameras, radars, drones, and electronic warfare systems, ensuring the elevation of readiness and the capacity to deal with various threats with efficiency and competence.
Thus, the memory of the Great Arab Revolt, Army Day, and the Throne Day intertwine in the conscience of Jordanians to form a homeland's narrative deeply rooted in history, led by the Hashemites with wisdom and competence, and guarded by the brave men of the Arab Army with faith and steadfastness. It is the story of a homeland that has never ceased to build and give—a nation that forged its glory through work and sacrifice. With God's help, it will remain resilient against challenges, holding its head high with solid foundations, moving confidently toward a brighter and more prosperous future under the banner of the victorious Hashemite leadership and the arms of its loyal sons, so that Jordan remains an oasis of security and stability, a beacon of might and glory, and a home for dignity and achievement across generations. (Petra)
