Gov't fully supports Irbid’s venture as Capital of Arab Culture 2022 — PM

AMMAN — Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Bisher Al Khasawneh, Chairman of the Higher Committee for the celebration of Irbid, the Capital of Arab Culture 2022, on Saturday affirmed the government's full commitment to providing the necessary means for the success of the celebration “in a manner befitting the national event that reflects Jordan's culture and civilisation”. 

At the Irbid Cultural Centre, during the third committee meeting, in the presence of Chief of Royal Hashemite Court Yousef Issawi and the Committee’s Deputy Chairman former prime minister Abdul Raouf Rawabdeh, Khasawneh said that “Irbid deserves all support”. 

He directed that the financial allocations for the celebration’s success be ready by the next meeting of the committee in March.

He noted that “an event of this magnitude will not be dealt with by the usual methods and standards despite the difficult financial circumstances”, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The prime minister said that the contributions of Irbid, with its legacy, heritage, leaders, people, and their sacrifices in building the Jordanian state since its establishment, deserve support, care and attention from all the Kingdom’s governorates.

The prime minister praised “the tireless and continuous efforts made by members of the committee”.

Rawabdeh said that the event constitutes “a celebration and a project for Jordanians”.

Rawabdeh added that the financial allocation is “not enough to cover” the expenses of the opening ceremony, according to Petra.

He highlighted that the Committee’s Executive Office has attracted the finest professionals to design plans, projects and areas that will host the celebration’s activities.

Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar stressed that preparations are made within a comprehensive and integrated plan as a national project, stressing that the culture is “a gateway to development”.

She added that the diversity included in the celebration's activities, in addition to Arab participation, “will restore a sense of the spirit and importance of cultural action in crystallising outputs that enhance long-established Jordanianidentities and values”.