Social media in Jordan in a year

AMMAN – The year 2015 was full of events that dominated Jordanians’ posts, comments and conversations on social media.

Here is a review of 10 major events that Jordanians commented on through social media.

1- Muath Kasasbeh

The air force pilot who was brutally killed by the Daesh terror group earlier this year dominated Jordanians; posts on on social media. Since his capture by the terrorists in December 2014, many hashtags were created not only by Jordanian social media users but also from across the world to express support for and solidarity with his family. When Daesh released a video on February 3 purportedly showing Kasasbeh being burned to death, the number of hashtags further increased on Facebook and Twitter.

2- Execution of Sajida Rishawi

A day after the release of the video showing the immolation of Kasasbeh, Jordan executed Sajida Rishawi, who was convicted by the State Security Court in September 2006 of plotting terror attacks against three hotels in Amman in November 2005, which left 60 people dead and around 90 injured. Ziad Karboli, who was convicted of killing a Jordanian truck driver in September 2005, was also hanged to death along with Rishawi. They were affiliated with Al Qaeda terror group. Jordanians and social media users expressed relief over the executions as they considered them a swift response to the murder of Kasasbeh.

3- King’s ‘Be Proud’ address to nation

On March 4, social media users took to Twitter and Facebook soon after His Majesty King Abdullah’s address to the nation, creating a trending hashtag in Arabic that translates into “be proud”. Jordanian users across social media platforms lauded King Abdullah for his words of encouragement, stressing the nation’s resilience despite threats and challenges. The quote from the speech most shared by social media users was: “Above all, today, I say to you, the men and women of Jordan: Be proud.”

4- ‘Lower House cat’

On March 15, a cat that interrupted a Lower House evening session was a topic of conversation among social media users in the Kingdom. Photos of a Parliament employee carrying it by its tail to take it outside the chamber went viral on Facebook and Twitter. Later in the day, rumours spread that the cat was killed. Social media users criticised the cat’s maltreatment and turned the news into jokes about the behaviour of MPs.

5- Dead Sea rescue operation hero

In late March, Civil Defence Department Sgt. Omar Balawneh had to swim for 12 hours in the Dead Sea to save Maryam, 13, and Maher, 11, and return them to their family safe and sound. The wavy sea prevented him from returning to land, so Balawneh covered a distance of 17km swimming as he reportedly arrived at the western end of the sea, where the three were collected later by the air force. His Majesty King Abdullah honoured Balawneh with the Order of Dedication and Sacrifice in recognition of his heroic rescue of two Iraqi children.

6- MP and guest worker

Jordanians reacted with anger when an MP’s escorts where caught on video posted on social media showing them assault an Egyptian worker in an Aqaba restaurant in October.

7- Prince Ali for FIFA

Since he announced intentions to run as a candidate for FIFA presidential elections in January 2015 and until now, Jordanians have been taking to social media to support HRH Prince Ali. The prince was the sole challenger of Sepp Blatter in the May 29 elections but lost to the Swiss. In September 9, Prince Ali decided to run again for next year’s FIFA president.

8- Death of Salti sisters

The “shocking” news about the death of Soraya and Jumana Salti dominated social media in Jordan. Aged 45 and 37, the Saltis were successful businesswomen from a prominent Jordanian family. They were found dead near an under-construction building south of Amman on November 6. A few days later, authorities said the two sisters fell off the building and may have committed suicide as evidence had showed they suffered “psychological and financial problems”.

9- Amman floods

On November 6, photos and videos of flooded Amman streets, tunnels and some houses inundated social media. Social media users criticised city officials, authorities’ lack of preparedness and the capital’s weak infrastructure after a heavy early morning downpour inundated streets and apartment buildings in the city. The flash floods killed four people and wreaked havoc on roads in Amman, which witnessed traffic jams and the closure of underpasses.

10- National Census song on TV

In early December, a song broadcast by Jordan Television to promote the 2015 population census became social media fodder, eliciting humour and criticism. Social media users panned the song’s lyrics and the concept behind it.