Ajloun – As the Ajloun Governorate Culture Directorate seeks to document and digitize the historical, cultural, tourist and human heritage of the governorate through the launch of the “Ajloun Digital Knowledge Encyclopedia” project, those in charge of this effort confirm that the encyclopedia, which will be completed with the participation of dozens of researchers, aims to preserve the national memory and make it available to researchers through a specialized knowledge base.
اضافة اعلان
They confirmed that the cultural committees currently working are responsible for preparing the encyclopedia's content and collecting the necessary documents, noting that the project's goal is to build a comprehensive knowledge platform that includes documented information and data that preserves national memory and provides integrated content that covers the historical, cultural, touristic and literary aspects of Ajloun Governorate.
Researchers and those interested believe that this approach, if completed, will constitute a comprehensive documentation of the details of heritage and collective memory, and a database that can be relied upon and easily referred to in making decisions related to preservation.
They noted that adopting a precise work mechanism and methodology that includes collecting documents and documenting images and references, with the participation of historians and researchers, will ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the information.
Also, the establishment of methodological foundations for launching the encyclopedia’s website by the preparatory committees will be a fundamental pillar for its success and the possibility of generalizing the experience.
Researcher Mahmoud Al-Shuraideh affirms that the Ajloun Governorate is rich in cultural and human heritage, which calls for documenting it in various aspects and building a digital reference that preserves the memory of Ajloun for future generations.
He indicated that there are many topics that the team participating in the encyclopedia can address, such as archaeological, historical and natural sites, heritage villages and houses, traditional architecture, historical and archival photos, manuscripts, documents and old records, in addition to traditional tools, means of measurement, weight and work, folk medicine and herbs, and the local environment.
He believes that this effort, if completed, will constitute a comprehensive documentation of history, heritage and collective memory, and a database that can be relied upon in making decisions concerning the governorate.
Researcher Ali Al-Nawateer says: “It is the duty of researchers, historians, writers, intellectuals and academics to participate and contribute to enriching this digital encyclopedia, and to provide it with documents, manuscripts, pictures, studies and heritage materials that document the history of Ajloun, its civilization and its cultural and human heritage, in a way that allows researchers and those interested to refer to it easily.”
Researcher Muhammad Abu Ubaileh shares this opinion, saying: There are many aspects that the digital encyclopedia can address through research and archiving, such as traditional costumes, crafts and traditional industries, folklore, chants, proverbs and tales, in addition to studies, books and research related to Ajloun, education, schools and institutions, agriculture, industries and trade, popular foods, biographies of scientific, cultural and national figures, as well as documenting historical events, natural disasters and facts, artistic works of sculpture and mosaic, visual and audio recordings and archival materials.
For his part, researcher Munir Shwaiter, one of the participants in the preparation team, emphasizes the importance of establishing a platform to document the cultural heritage in Ajloun, as a qualitative step aimed at highlighting the human, tourism and heritage components of the governorate through a digital space that allows researchers and those interested to access documented and comprehensive information.
He stressed the importance of documenting the cultural content in the governorate, as this plays a role in highlighting Ajloun’s cultural status and providing documented databases about its cultural and civilizational history, indicating that the governorate has hosted many cultural events and activities that have enhanced its cultural, tourist and social presence.
He explains that Ajloun is characterized by a comprehensive cultural identity based on popular heritage, social and cultural values, which makes documenting this heritage a necessity to preserve it and introduce it to new generations, in addition to enhancing the governorate’s position as a cultural and tourist destination at the level of the Kingdom, noting that the digital platform will contribute to introducing visitors and researchers to this cultural heritage and making it available in a modern and advanced way.
For his part, Ajloun Culture Director Samer Al-Farihat affirms that this platform is not just a digital archive, but a vital tool for deepening the national narrative through a number of axes, most notably documenting local memory as part of the national identity.
The platform will work to enumerate and document the cultural and historical foundations of Ajloun Governorate, which will contribute to building the comprehensive narrative of the Jordanian state. He pointed out that the national narrative is not complete except by collecting local stories, the biographies of pioneers and historical landmarks in each governorate and presenting them as an integral part of the story of building Jordan.
He stressed the importance of highlighting cultural content digitally in line with the requirements of the digital age, explaining that modern technology has become a key tool in preserving and widely introducing cultural heritage. He pledged to intensify efforts to promote Jordanian culture, of which Ajloun is an integral part, by supporting cultural events and highlighting popular museums such as the Halawa, Arjan and Al-Wahadneh museums, in addition to the cultural centers spread throughout the governorate, which contribute to enhancing knowledge of national culture and consolidating Jordanian identity.
He also emphasized the need for specialized digital platforms that showcase Jordanian cultural identity and document the Kingdom's cultural history and its relationship to society. He noted that Ajloun Governorate has distinguished itself in recent years with its cultural and poetry festivals, which have contributed to highlighting arts and literature and fostering cultural activity.
He explained that Arabic digital content on the internet still needs more purposeful and specialized content that documents Jordanian heritage and culture, stressing that modern digital platforms have become an effective means of disseminating knowledge and enhancing cultural awareness among various segments of society.
Al-Furaihat explains that a number of specialized cultural bodies in the governorate have been assigned to carry out the executive and research tasks for the “Ajloun Digital Knowledge Encyclopedia” project, given the accumulated experience and qualified research personnel that these bodies possess.
He pointed out that the completion of this major national project is in line with the royal vision put forward by His Highness Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II to strengthen the Jordanian national narrative, stressing the need for the platform in its final form to be a reference for future generations, researchers, students and all those interested.
