Batir Wardam Blog: Cultural Reform

Opportunity for Young Journalists: The Boundless Media Award

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 19:39:00 GMT

If you are a journalist aged 21-35 read this opportunity carefully for a media contest called "the Boundless media" contest supported by a collection of European Organizations. The "Boundless" media contest promotes cultural diversity, and, in particular, cross-border journalism that makes an innovative contribution to the ongoing dialogue between cultures. The deadline for application is September... [read more]

Inside Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:26:00 GMT

Bibliotheca Alexandrina is not only a library. It is a place for creativity, cultural dialogue and tolerance. It is a platform for the imagination of the human mind and simple a temple for knowledge. The BA has an area of 40,200 square meters composed of 11 levels. The Library's main reading area can accommodate up to 2000 users and contains 200 study rooms equipped with computers. The library... [read more]

Reflections from Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:49:00 GMT

Last week I have been privileged to visit the magnificant Bibliotheca Alexandrina. This is one of the few places in the Arab World, and maybe the whole Globe that can be conisidered as a cultural acheivement. I was participating in a workshop organized by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) about new learning for sustainability in the Arab World, where I have presented the case study of using blogs... [read more]

Petra and Nabatean Water Management Systems

Tue, 10 Jul 2007 14:18:00 GMT

The majestic city of Petra has won its righteous place in the World New Seven Wonders. Regardless of UNESCO's reservations, the voting process represented a "global collective approach" of cultural diversity that was made by people and public participation. Petra's uniquness was decribed by the New 7 wonders committee as a symbol of "engineering and protection". One of the most amazing achievements... [read more]

Seven Reasons to Celebrate Petra as a new World Wonder

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 14:58:00 GMT

I was almost certain of Petra's win in the New Seven Wonders competition, but it never crossed my mind it will be second only to the Great Wall of China. I thought Petra may end up in 5th-7th ranks judged by the small population of Jordan and the enormous influence of the global media that highlightes other places in Europe and Latin America. The success of Petra is worth celebrating for many... [read more]

Intercultural Dialogue: From Rhetoric to Actions

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 00:51:00 GMT

While participating in the Euro-Med workshop on "Media and intercultural dialogue" in Berlin last week, I felt as if I am in the midst of a social gathering that happens on annual basis. Most of the participants already know each other and they will talk for hours about their previous meetings in Geneva, Malta, Dead Sea, Morocco, Vienna and so on. This is an indication that such meetings usually bring... [read more]

Queen Rania and Hijab

Thu, 15 Feb 2007 00:58:00 GMT

A "silent controversey" emerged from some news wired by international news agencies regarding Queen Rania's interview with the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera " in her last visit to Italy. The "controversey" was silent in Jordanian media but reported in minds, discussions and Arab and regional media since the Queen was quoted by the international news agencies as saying "Hijab is not mandatory... [read more]

Petra in the top 7 rank in the New seven wonders competition

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 23:31:00 GMT

Good news. Petra has retained for the second month its possession in the top 7 rank of the New Seven Wonders competition as declared today in the January 2007 ranking results based on global polls which will remain online for one week only. http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php?id=520 Petra is now with the Colosseum, Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, Pyramids of Giza, Statues of Easter... [read more]

Ibrahim Nassrallah featured by the Guardian

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 21:42:00 GMT

Ibrahim Nassrallah is a fantastic Jordanian writer and poet. He has contributed remarkably to the wealth of the Jordanian/Palestinian literature record with a package of creative poets that focused mainly on the Palestinian resistance. This has put him face to face with the custodians of the traditional, government-supportive cultural apparatus in Jordan. A case was raised against Nassrallah last... [read more]

Urbanization and Smart Growth in Amman

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:59:00 GMT

We all witness with a lot of concern the profound changes that happen to Amman in terms of high urbanization, congestion and other problems associated with big cities. One of the best Jordanian opinions about this issue are expressed by Dr Mohammad Al-Asad former lecturere at the University of Jordan and the founder and manager of teh highly successful Center for the Study of the Built Environment,... [read more]

Top 20 Arab Thinkers and Writers in the past 25 years

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 03:32:00 GMT

In my Arabic blog I have posted an evolving list of the top 100 thinkers, writers and scholars in the Arab World in the past 25 years as a way to document the positive impact such intellectuals have exerted on Arab culture. It is important to mention that this list is not about the magnitude of impact on the Arab public, since using this indicator will make me end up with a list that contains more... [read more]

Islam vs. Mind: What Ibn Rushd had to say?

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:43:00 GMT

One of the most important statements by the Pope in his notorious speech in Bavaria, apart from the quotation on Islam and violence, was his argument about the cliamed clash between Islamic theology and mind. In the pope's argument Islamic doctorine is rigid so that any "perspective" of life is based only on sacred texts and not rational thinking. The problem with this statement, is not that it... [read more]

Secrets of Reading in Amman

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 07:56:00 GMT

This is a lovely article wrote by Mr Ammar Mango and published in today's Jordan Times, and I wanted to share it with all of you; By Ammar W. Mango While most Ammanies dread the long line of waiting for humus or falafel, for example, to very few the waiting is a bliss in disguise. One of these people has even confessed to me that he loves having to wait more than the food he is in line for... [read more]

Treks and Trails of Jordan: An Exciting Eco-tourism Blog

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 01:05:00 GMT

I am calling on all Jordanian bloggers and visitors to our blogs to read this exciting blog www.terhaal.com dedicated to describing and displaying natural wonders of Jordan through stories on eco-tourism trips in our beloved kingdom. I have to say that I am currently "consuming" this blog as a hungry visitor, and I am enjoying each and every post. This blog is based on a collection of stories... [read more]

Jordan's Failure to Promote Petra

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:23:00 GMT

It is now only about 300 days before the end of the voting period for selecting the World's New Seven Wonders by a system of public voting (online and by phone) at the website of the "New Seven Wonders" foundation, supporting and organizing this contest. As we know, Petra-the majestic rose city in Jordan is one of 21 candidates for the list of new 7 wonders representing the most amazing structures... [read more]

Jostein Gaarder on God's Chosen People

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 12:17:00 GMT

I think each one of us read the great piece of literature "Sophie's World" which is a fascinating trip into the history of world philosophy from the perspective of ayoung girl. The book was written by the Norwegian writer Jostein Gaarder who has just written a spectacular article in the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten criticizing the policies and crimes of the State of Israel in a very courageous... [read more]

Jordan supporting promotion and protection of diversity of cultural expressions

Tue, 16 May 2006 23:19:00 GMT

I was thrilled to learn today that the Cabinet has decided to ratify the UNESCO advocated Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions that was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in October 2005. This is a fantastic convention that aims to to recognize the right of States to formulate cultural policies; to adopt measures in favour of the diversity... [read more]

King Abdullah on Cartoons and Clash of Civilizations

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:15:00 GMT

I have always believed, in all honesty and objectivity that King Abdullah II is the best Arab Leader that can communicate with the west conveying the true image of Muslim and Arab cultures and aspirations. The King is liberal, direct in his remarks, sharp and to the point and always a firm believer in democracy, modernization and global cooperation. I also have a firm conviction that the Jordanian... [read more]

Boycotting Denmark, Egypt...and the Whole World!

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 15:18:00 GMT

The very well-informed Egyptiam blogger Sandmonkey has discovered a shock. In a recent post in his blog Rantings of a sandmonkey he documented that an Egyptian newspaper called "al Fajr" has published the 12 notorious cartoons that have sparked a wave of hatred between the Muslim world and parts of Europe. The real surprise is the fact that the Egyptian newspaper published the cartoons in October... [read more]

Who is the Arab World's credible and influential role model?

Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:37:00 GMT

Yesterday I went into a state of depression. I received an e-mail from the British charity organization Oxfam International containing a simple request to nominate a general character that has credibility and influence on people to act as a role model assisting Oxfam in its global fight against poverty. I wanted to search for a character/ role model from the Arab World, and guess what: I miserably... [read more]