A seminar hosted by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Cultural Forum commemorated prominent Jordanian writer and historian Rox bin Zaid Al-Azizi, bringing together leading academics, writers, and cultural figures.

Titled “Rox Al-Azizi: Leadership and Enlightenment,” the event featured multiple sessions exploring Al-Azizi’s life, intellectual legacy, and contributions to Jordanian cultural identity.

In her opening remarks, CEO Valentina Kassisieh emphasized that the seminar aimed not only to honor Al-Azizi’s legacy but also to revisit his work as a source of ideas still relevant today. She described his output—spanning over 80 books—as remarkably diverse, covering poetry, history, literary criticism, folklore, philosophy, and human rights.

Speakers highlighted Al-Azizi’s pioneering role in documenting Jordanian heritage, particularly oral traditions such as folk stories, proverbs, Bedouin poetry, and customs. They noted that he viewed heritage as a living, evolving expression of society rather than a static record of the past, and worked to preserve the voice of ordinary people often absent from formal historical accounts.

Sessions also examined his critical thought, linguistic contributions, and major works, including his landmark Encyclopedia of Jordanian Heritage, a multi-volume project developed over more than six decades. Participants described him as a foundational figure in Jordanian cultural studies and a key contributor to shaping national memory and identity.

Al-Azizi (1903–2004), born in Madaba, was a teacher, journalist, and former head of the Jordanian Writers Association. He received numerous honors for his contributions to heritage research and literature. He passed away in Amman at the age of 101.

The seminar concluded with remarks from his granddaughter, who reflected on his enduring influence and the continued relevance of his intellectual and humanistic legacy.