Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, June 7
Despite efforts by the Qatari media to portray the demonstrations in Jordan as a political revolt, these rallies are far from political. They were prompted by economic anxieties, as the unemployment rate in Jordan reached a record high of 18.4 percent. I spent the last week in Jordan and met with representatives of both the government and the protesters. Despite what you might hear in the media, the Muslim Brotherhood does not stand behind these demonstrations, and what we are seeing in Jordan is far from what we witnessed during the Arab Spring. The Jordanian people simply want their government to provide more jobs, reduce the cost of basic goods and halt the implementation of a proposed tax plan. The government isn’t disconnected from the people. This is why Jordan’s Prime Minister Hani Mulki submitted his resignation and called for a re-evaluation of the proposed tax scheme. Jordan’s King Abdullah also monitored the situation closely, calling on the government to heed the public’s angry message. It is also important to remember, especially amid the temporary unrest, that the Jordanian leadership is dealing with nearly impossible demands. The World Bank, for example, has refused to extend loans to the Jordanian government without reforms being made to the nation’s public spending and tax system. Support once afforded to the Jordanian people by Gulf states has also shrunk in recent years as a result of declining oil prices. Then there is the demographic burden. For several decades, Jordan absorbed the largest number of refugees—first from Palestine, then Iraq, and, most recently, from Syria. Despite all of these challenges, the Jordanian government managed to foster a high level of development in the country. Jordan’s infrastructure—its roads, electricity system, and sewage system—are among the most developed in the region. While Beirut’s residents experience power outages on a daily basis, residents of Amman enjoy a steady power supply. The Jordanian public education system is among the best in the Arab world. Most Jordanian children receive free education and enroll in free colleges and universities. Even the Jordanian health system is far better than its regional equivalents. These are all incredible achievements. Surely, there is much more to be done to ease the lives of Jordan’s people. Luckily, Jordan’s biggest asset is its people and their determination to thrive. Therefore, I can confidently say that despite its scant resources and financial troubles, the Jordanian government will overcome this period of unrest and continue to serve its people. –Abd al-Rahman al-Rashed