Response from the Senate to the Throne Speech at the opening the First Ordinary Session of the 19th Jordanian Parliament
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful And peace and blessings be upon the master of creation and the seal of prophets and messengers,
Muhammad the honorable Hashemite Arab prophet, and upon his family and companions.
Your Majesty,
King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein,
Peace be upon you, O father of the beloved Jordanian family, And peace be upon you, O inspiring leader of your Arab and Islamic nation, And peace be upon you, O king who honors Jordan, the land of dignity and pride.
Your Majesty,
On this Jordanian day, in this blessed abode, the house of Jordanians and the qibla of their hearts, we stand before Your Exalted Majesty to express our utmost loyalty and gratitude for your gracious opening of the first ordinary session of the nineteenth Parliament.
Our Majestic Sovereign,We stand on the threshold of a new era in Jordan's political experience, and you have initiated, through your noble will and inspiring future vision, a phase of modernization and development for our nation, at the onset of its second century. With God's permission, under your wise leadership, this century will witness comprehensive renaissance—politically, economically, administratively, and socially—through steadfast steps that build and enhance the gains and sacrifices made by all Jordanians within clear, gradual, and studied programs.
The first signs of this renaissance are your royal decree to modernize the political system in our beloved Kingdom and your royal guarantee of the results of the committee's work that you ordered to be formed, which included all political and social spectra. This is evidence of your confidence that these spectra, despite differing opinions and views, are united by love for the homeland and the throne, confirming your trust in all Jordanians.
This trust and belief stem from your conscience, which reflects the conscience of every Jordanian. You, O Sovereign, are the father of the Jordanian family, caring for its needs and envisioning good prospects for its future. You are the cloak that gathers rather than divides, providing shelter from the trials of time.
Your Majesty,
You are the leader of the journey, the protector of the constitution, and the symbol of the state that views all its citizens with the same perspective. The measure of this perspective is citizenship and maintaining a distance from all its sons and daughters, grounded in the rule of law. Since we are, by God's permission, approaching an effective political life based on party programs, it is essential to protect state institutions and individuals from partisan disputes. Thus, the proposed legislation aims to safeguard the armed forces, security agencies, religious institutions, regulatory institutions, foreign policy, the judicial apparatus, and other positions of responsibility and public service, which must serve all Jordanians with impartiality and neutrality, including educational institutions.
Your Majesty,
We, in the Senate, pledge to Your Majesty that your royal guarantee before your loyal people regarding the political modernization system will be the guiding light in our discussions, which will serve as an example of positivity and effectiveness.
Your Majesty,
Modernization, O Sovereign, is your practice and the cause you have defended throughout your wise leadership. The royal discussion papers are a true translation of your vision for building the Jordanian democratic model. The political modernization system has ensured that the content of these papers is reflected in transitioning to a system of party-based parliaments and has placed recommendations that would bring about cultural change through establishing dialogue and consensus as a national approach and working to expand the participation of youth and women while ensuring the practice of effective citizenship.
Considering your ongoing royal directives towards comprehensive development and modernization, it is necessary to begin with a change in the culture of the individual and society, reaching political legislation, economic environments, and the administrative structure of the state through comprehensive, parallel programs linked to clear mechanisms for monitoring and accountability, according to constitutional and legal requirements. An integral part of this monitoring will be associated with the aware Jordanian citizen, who knows that his role in the political process is essential and that his voice in national issues is heard through parties that operate according to clear programs reflecting his aspirations and closely aligned with his needs, characterized by transparency and honesty, focusing solely on national interests and the welfare of citizens.
Herein lies the importance of the role of Jordanian youth, the present and pillar of the nation, and the source of hope for a bright future and an open democratic society. The role of Jordanian women is equally significant, as they constitute half of society and are primarily responsible for instilling noble values in their children through practice and conscious upbringing, leading to a conscious, active society capable of engaging with reality and the future.
Your Majesty,
The Senate affirms your royal directives to establish clear programs linked to the paths of economic modernization and administrative reform to overcome the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions, renewing confidence in our investment environment and our public and private sectors, providing promising opportunities for qualified Jordanian labor, and establishing the principle that everyone working in the state is a servant of the Jordanians. Flexible cooperation should be the foundation of our relationship with the government in its pursuit of comprehensive political, economic, administrative, and social development. The desired modernization is not merely about legislation or a package of decisions; it is a national work plan that requires a comprehensive, applicable, and measurable program.
Your Majesty,
Members of our valiant armed forces, the Arab army, and our security agencies, both active and retired, will remain the protective shield and faithful guardian of security and safety. They are the support and backup for the homeland and its leadership.
Since their path has been drawn by the Great Arab Revolt and its pure Hashemite leaders, all just causes, particularly the beloved Palestinian cause, will remain at the forefront of their priorities, just as they are your top priorities. You are the protector and guardian of Jerusalem and the Islamic and Christian holy sites, a commitment passed down through generations, and we all walk in your path.
Your Majesty,
As we approach this new phase in the life of our nation during its second century, we thank Allah for bestowing upon us a wise leadership that gives everything in the interest of its people. This is the approach of the pure Hashemites, which they have never deviated from. May Allah sustain you as leaders for Jordan, as an example and role model for Jordanians, and preserve you and your Crown Prince, His Highness Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, in good health and guide your steps on paths of goodness.
Our Majestic Sovereign, peace be upon you, and God's mercy and blessings.