This is Jordan
By A. Salem Al-Hourani
In the heart of the Middle East, where civilizations intersect and geography contends, Jordan rises proudly as a symbol of dignity and resilience, and as a space of love and belonging. Here, Jordanians know nothing but to be Arabs par excellence, holding steadfast to their principles, proud of their Arab identity, and loyal to their homeland.
The love for Jordan cannot be confined to words; it is lived. It is that deeply rooted feeling that compels a Jordanian to stand with pride in the face of challenges, to open his heart to every Arab brother, and to offer hospitality without expectation. The love for Jordan manifests in the old neighborhoods, in the popular cafes, in the conversations of the elders, and in the eyes of the youth dreaming of a brighter tomorrow. It is that anthem that every Jordanian sings each morning, when he raises his country's flag and pledges to its soil to be a steadfast support—unyielding, uncompromising, and unbroken.
As for the spirit of Jordan, it is Arabism. Since its inception, Jordan has borne the responsibility of defending the nation's causes, foremost among them the Palestinian cause, which has never been distant from its conscience. Jordan has never closed its borders to a refugee, nor hesitated to offer assistance to a brother, nor allowed sedition to divide the sons of Arabism on its land. This Arab spirit is not merely slogans; it is a daily practice in politics, society, education, and even in art and culture.
In Jordan, national identity does not contradict Arab identity; rather, it complements it. A Jordanian is Arab by blood and affiliation, seeing in Arab unity strength and in their division weakness. He dreams of a united nation, despite the wounds and divisions. He believes that the rise of Jordan is incomplete without the rise of the Levant and the Maghreb, and that what binds the peoples of this nation is deeper than borders and stronger than geography.
Today, more than ever, we need to renew our covenant with our homeland. We need to redefine our love for Jordan through action, not words; through sincerity, not slogans; by raising our children on the authentic Jordanian values: dignity, honesty, and belonging. We need to instill in them the true spirit of Arabism, which sees in Palestine our cause, in Syria our wound, in Iraq our pulse, in Yemen our heart, and in every Arab brother, a part of us.
Jordan, this country whose geography is narrow but whose heart is vast, is a love story that never ends. It is the land that teaches you how to love unconditionally, and how to be Arab without being forgotten. In an era of fragmentation and disintegration, Jordan remains with its steadfastness and wisdom, a beacon for all dreamers of a united Arab homeland, where human dignity resides, identity is preserved, and history is respected.
