Amman, May 5, 2026 — During His Majesty King Abdullah II’s visit to Zarqa, Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court and Head of the Royal Initiatives Follow-up Committee, Yousef Hassan Al-Issawi, inaugurated the rehabilitated Arab Bank Park and the new Abdul Hameed Shoman Library. The project was implemented under royal directives in partnership with Arab Bank.
The initiative responds to longstanding requests from the local community. Originally established over 25 years ago, the park has undergone a full upgrade, emerging as a strong example of collaboration between royal initiatives and the private sector in supporting community development.
Al-Issawi toured the facilities alongside Zarqa Governor Dr. Firas Abu Qaoud, Arab Bank CEO Randa Sadek, Chairman of the Zarqa Municipality Committee Eng. Khaled Al-Khashman, Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation CEO Valentina Kassisieh, members of the Foundation’s Board, and Head of Branding and Communications Tareq Al-Haj Hasan.
The project includes a modern, two-story Abdul Hameed Shoman Library—featuring multipurpose halls, dedicated spaces for youth and children, and full accessibility for persons with disabilities. The park offers upgraded play areas, walking paths, and service facilities. Zarqa Municipality will oversee its operation to ensure long-term sustainability.
Royal initiatives in Zarqa have prioritized the development of public parks, with 18 parks and recreational spaces established or rehabilitated across the governorate.
One notable example is the environmental park in Russeifa’s phosphate hills, inaugurated in 2023. Covering 76 dunums, it includes sports fields, seating areas, walking paths, and 15,000 trees, with an additional 100 dunums planted with 3,000 more trees.
This project transformed the phosphate hills from a source of pollution into a vibrant public space. The Arab Bank Park and Abdul Hameed Shoman Library build on this success, further enhancing community and public spaces in Zarqa.
Al-Issawi stated that the project provides both a vital public space and a cultural hub serving children, families, students, and the broader community, strengthening the quality of public services. He added that the initiative aligns with His Majesty’s directives to improve community services and create supportive learning and recreational environments.
He also highlighted the project as a strong model of partnership between royal initiatives and the public and private sectors, reinforcing the role of corporate social responsibility in advancing development.
Arab Bank CEO Randa Sadek noted that the initiative reflects His Majesty’s vision for sustainable development and quality services, while reaffirming the bank’s commitment to supporting local communities through meaningful partnerships.
Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation CEO Valentina Kassisieh emphasized that the new library in Zarqa advances equitable access to knowledge and strengthens the role of libraries as inclusive cultural hubs. She reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to expanding beyond Amman and providing spaces for reading, creativity, dialogue, and youth development in line with the royal vision of investing in people.