Response of the Senate to the Throne Speech at the Opening of the Second Ordinary Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Jordan
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And peace and blessings be upon the Master of Messengers, Muhammad, the Arab Hashemite Prophet, sent as a mercy to the worlds.
Your Majesty, King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein,
May God protect you and preserve you.Peace be upon you, and may God's mercy and blessings be upon you...
The Senate is honored today to present to Your Majesty its response to the Throne Speech that you delivered to open the proceedings of the Second Ordinary Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Jordan. Allow me to begin, after greeting our esteemed leader, with greetings to our heroic sons who stand guard over the homeland, from our valiant Arab Army and all our security agencies, as well as to the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives, fulfilling their oath to God. We all express our happiness at Your Majesty’s satisfaction with the accomplishments of our nation, despite the challenges we have faced along our blessed path in various aspects of statehood. Here, I would like to highlight the fruitful cooperation among all authorities in line with the visions and ideas expressed by Your Majesty in the enlightening discussion papers that emphasize the principle of the rule of law and work to entrench the foundations of the civil state that we all strive for.
The Senate appreciates Your Majesty's commitment to developing the judicial system, and it takes pride in the legislation approved by the Council during the previous extraordinary session. The Senate is honored by Your Majesty’s commendation of the efforts made by the Council and all state authorities to enhance the path of goodness under your wise leadership.
Your Majesty...
The Jordanians have achieved one of the most significant accomplishments within the framework of the reform approach that you have envisioned by electing local councils and governorate councils, which have been characterized by transparency and integrity, leading to decentralization that will grant local authorities a broader role in developmental decision-making, building upon the cumulative reforms achieved amid the regional challenges we face and confront with strength, determination, and competence.
Your Majesty...
The Senate is keenly interested in the government's report presented last June, outlining detailed priorities and key activities over the past year, based on the two letters of assignment and the ministerial statement. We affirm to Your Majesty that the Senate will continue to perform its constitutional role in oversight and legislation in collaboration with the government, ensuring the realization of these efforts on the ground to serve the homeland and the citizen, preserving their security, dignity, and right to a better future.
Together with Your Majesty, we emphasize the necessity for the government to work on implementing the economic growth stimulation plan for the coming years in a manner that meets the needs of various sectors, helps achieve the targeted growth rates, and creates new job opportunities for our youth. We must capitalize on available opportunities to raise citizens' living standards, empower the middle class, and protect low-income and limited-income families. Furthermore, we emphasize the utmost priority for implementing the National Human Resource Development Strategy and executing the e-government program, aiming for a paperless government that simplifies procedures and improves services within the timeframe the government has committed to.
The Senate affirms Your Majesty’s vision regarding the necessity of solving our problems ourselves by finding realistic solutions that rely on our capabilities and unique potential. This aligns with the well-known determination and resolve of Jordanians to transform challenges into opportunities and their ability to endure difficulties in building their homeland and elevating its status while benefiting from the factors of security and stability that Jordan enjoys among the countries in the region.
Your Majesty...
The growth, prosperity, and stability our nation has achieved could not have been realized without the resolve of Jordanian men and women under your courageous leadership, their absolute trust in the efforts of our armed forces—the Arab Army—and security agencies in safeguarding the nation and deterring anyone who might seek to disrupt its security and stability. The Senate extends its highest respects and accolades to all those who have placed the crown upon their foreheads. It expresses pride once again in the valiant men and women who courageously confront the forces of darkness, evil, and the outlaws of the age.
Your Majesty...
The Senate greatly appreciates your continuous and steadfast defense of the issues of our Arab and Islamic nations, foremost among them the Palestinian cause and the establishment of the Palestinian state on its national soil with Jerusalem as its capital. We particularly refer to the Hashemite guardianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. This is a permanent Hashemite commitment, both religiously and historically, that we will not deviate from, nor will we abandon our duty and destiny regarding our foremost cause.
Your Majesty...
We ask God, the Almighty, to protect you and guide your steps toward goodness and success as a brave and visionary Arab leader who commands the respect and admiration of the entire world and the love of your people in our beloved homeland. We pray that Jordan remains, as always, a nation of dignity and pride, a haven of security and stability under the banner of the victorious Hashemite leadership.
And peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings be upon you.