Response of the Senate to the Throne Speech at the Opening of the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Jordan
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful And peace and blessings be upon the noble Arab Hashemite Prophet
To His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein
Peace be upon you, O Leader of the Nation and Protector of the Homeland... Peace be upon the blessed, fruitful march, crowned with pride and honor, which flourishes with the fragrance of martyrdom and great sacrifices... And peace be upon our Arab army and security forces, and upon every eye that watches in the name of God... And peace be upon the Jordanians, and upon the foreheads that bow only to God.
After this, the Senate is honored to express its deepest gratitude and appreciation for Your Majesty's gracious opening of the fourth ordinary session of the Eighteenth Parliament of Jordan.
We have come from beneath the dome—where you swore twenty years ago "to uphold the Constitution and be loyal to the nation"—to honorably present ourselves before you in the blessed Raghadan, the stronghold of Arabs and the center of the nation's hopes, where the free Arabs pledged allegiance to your forefather the founder; we remember the noble white turban and a history of loyalty and sincerity penned by our ancestors behind the victorious Hashemite banner, holding firmly to the rope of God and the banner of the Prophet’s family, peace be upon him; and we renew our oath to remain loyal and devoted soldiers to our beloved King, whom we know to be, as his ancestors were, a pioneer of truth and a leader who always takes initiative, devoted to his homeland, selflessly serving it, and honest with his nation and people... God is our witness, as is the time and place.
Your Majesty...
We raise our heads with pride and honor at your courageous decision to terminate the special annexes related to the Baqoura and Ghamar areas in the Peace Treaty and return them to the embrace of our mighty homeland with complete sovereignty, which has delighted the hearts of Jordanians, Arabs, and believers.
Your Majesty...
Despite all the difficulties and challenges, your Throne Speech instilled in us a spirit of hope and certainty, reassuring all Jordanians, who are the people of loyalty and sincerity. They know you, Your Majesty, as a noble father and a great brother, holding the first place in your large heart, and you occupy the highest ranks of love and esteem in their hearts.
We have repeatedly demonstrated to the world that Jordan knows no impossibilities, and that Jordanians do not retreat in the face of hardships; instead, they endure and persevere, insisting on work and achievement.
Just as you have carried the nation upon your shoulders, we are grateful for the achievements of your extended reign under the protection of God, and for the qualitative accomplishments that Jordanians have experienced in security, faith, development, stability, reform, and diligent work, reflecting a unique relationship between the leader and his people, without intermediaries or barriers.
Jordanians will always remain the people of loyalty and nobility, exemplifying truth and courage, undeterred by hardships, sacrificing everything to defend the homeland, the mission, and the principle, adhering to the legacy of our fathers and ancestors—the early builders, the men of the Great Arab Revolt and its leaders, who shaped the essence of this great nation.
Our armed forces, the Arab Army, and our security agencies, alongside retired military personnel, will always meet your expectations and trust; they are the shield of Jordan and the fence of the homeland, receiving your care, representing our pride, honor, and dignity.
Your Majesty...
Jordanians and the Arab Army, under your confident leadership, have proven themselves as protectors of the homeland and its achievements; they are always at the forefront, defending beloved Palestine, its cause and people, while you are the custodian of its Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem, a trust you have inherited from your forefathers.
Jordan will continue, under your brave leadership, to fulfill its historical duty in serving our primary cause until our Palestinian brothers establish their independent state on their national soil along the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, reiterating your call for Muslims and Christians to support Jordan and your blessed efforts by maintaining the legal status of the Islamic and Christian sanctities and preserving them.
Your Majesty...
Your noble directives to successive governments have emphasized prioritizing the human aspect above all considerations, ensuring that Jordanians directly feel the impact of programs and policies on their lives.
Your orders to the government to take economic and financial measures aimed at alleviating the burdens on citizens amidst the difficult circumstances facing the nation and the region are a responsibility and priority that must be addressed immediately. These will receive all support from us, and we will monitor the implementation steps from our legislative and oversight position, aiming to realize your vision in serving Jordan and its people.
We are fully aware that the economic challenge has become the greatest challenge facing our nation and our people, and we must overcome it through suitable economic policies that reconsider wages and salaries, stimulate the economy, encourage investment, improve the quality of services provided to citizens, enhance public administration, and create job opportunities for youth. All these matters necessitate a reassessment of legislations to achieve these goals and ease the burdens on Jordanians.
Your Majesty...
Despite all the exceptional and difficult events that the region has witnessed, which have reflected their effects on our homeland, our determination, faith, and certainty have only strengthened. When asked, "Where are we headed?" we all respond, as you confidently and reassuringly do, that we are moving forward with steady steps, with the most challenging reforms behind us and a promising future ahead, which we confidently pursue to achieve the aspirations of the nation and its children.
We pledge to unite our efforts with those of the executive and judicial authorities and all national institutions, in a responsible partnership that pleases God, the nation, and the king, for all of us, yes all of us, as you have stated, are today responsible and will be held accountable tomorrow.
Your Majesty...
There is no fear for the nation, if your faith in it, along with our certainty, opens up horizons and paves the way. The whole world believes in Jordan, recognizes its potential, and appreciates its capabilities.
The first condition for renaissance is to begin with work and perseverance, and its foundation is trust and optimism. There is no room for those who try to spread an atmosphere of pessimism and despair, who diminish the value of achievements. As you have said, and always say, "From our people we derive determination, and from their optimism we inspire hope," we draw our determination and inspire hope from you.
Our Master, Your Majesty...
Your loyal people have reciprocated your love with love, loyalty with loyalty, and sincerity with giving. The governments must rise to this responsibility, continuing the path of achievement, supported by strong legislative authority, a just judiciary, an active private sector, and citizens confident in themselves and their homeland's future.
May God protect you, O Leader of the March, and preserve your trusted Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Hussein bin Abdullah—who carries the legacy of the enhanced Abdullah, and before him, the founding Abdullah, and the name of the builder Hussein, and before him, Hussein bin Ali, the initiator of the revolution and the founder of the renaissance.
May God honor your kingship and support you with victory from Him...
And peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.