Amman, Jan 20 — Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation hosted a dialogue session titled “Strengthening the Internal Front to Face Regional Challenges”, featuring former Interior Minister and Senator Hussein Hazza’ Al-Majali. The session was moderated by Dr. Omar Al-Jazy and attended by a select group of experts and invited guests.
Al-Majali highlighted that Jordan, historically and geographically, lies in a volatile region, often facing successive challenges arising from regional developments. He emphasized that what distinguishes Jordan from other countries in the region is its political stability over the past century and the unity of its citizens during crises.
He identified the Palestinian issue as the country’s most pressing challenge. Following the Gaza ceasefire, Israel has taken measures in the West Bank to annex about 92 percent of the land, expand settlements, and displace residents. Al-Majali also warned that repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque, efforts to Judaize holy sites, and plans for the alleged temple risk provoking the Arab and Islamic world, placing Jordan on the front line.
Al-Majali further addressed other challenges facing the kingdom, including terrorist threats from extremist groups. He praised the professionalism of Jordan’s security agencies in confronting these threats.
The dialogue also focused on the refugee crisis, which Al-Majali described as one of Jordan’s major challenges. With over one million Syrian refugees hosted in the country, he noted the significant pressure on economic and social resources and highlighted the importance of facilitating their safe return to their homeland.
Al-Majali outlined strategies for strengthening Jordan’s internal front, emphasizing that resilience begins from within the society through awareness, trust, and justice. He stressed the need to protect national identity and unity, strengthen citizenship, and minimize internal divisions to maintain a cohesive national front capable of facing all challenges.
He also called for comprehensive economic reforms and investment in both local and foreign initiatives, highlighting promising sectors such as renewable energy, technology, and tourism. Improving education and social welfare, expanding vocational training for youth, and providing free education and healthcare for all Jordanians were cited as key priorities.
On governance and civic engagement, Al-Majali emphasized constructive communication among citizens, standing behind the Hashemite leadership, the Jordanian Armed Forces, and security institutions, and promoting a unified national narrative through clear and consistent official and media messaging. He stressed protecting citizens economically and socially by mitigating the impact of regional crises on prices and living conditions, supporting vulnerable groups, and strengthening institutional readiness through coordinated efforts across security, economic, and media sectors.
Moderator Dr. Omar Al-Jazy highlighted the profound transformations in the Middle East in recent years, which have reshaped power balances, alliances, and introduced new security, political, and economic challenges. He noted that Jordan, like other countries in the region, has been directly affected due to its strategic location and sensitive political and security environment.
Dr. Al-Jazy concluded that strengthening Jordan’s internal front requires enhancing national resilience, promoting social cohesion, and building public confidence in institutions. Key measures include reinforcing the rule of law, combating corruption with transparency, developing political participation for youth and women, fostering dialogue and respect for differing views, improving economic conditions and living standards, creating quality job opportunities, supporting productive sectors such as agriculture, industry, and technology, and expanding social protection systems for the most vulnerable.