Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum – Shaping Thought and Opinion

Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum is a leading cultural and intellectual platform in Jordan and the Arab world. Founded in 1986, it provides an open space for dialogue, bringing together thinkers, researchers, and the public to discuss key issues facing society.

Since its establishment, the Forum has hosted scholars, creatives, and intellectuals from Jordan, the region, and internationally. It encourages thoughtful discussion aimed at producing practical ideas that raise awareness, broaden perspectives, and promote openness and constructive criticism.

More than a weekly cultural event, the Forum is a long-term education initiative. Its strength lies in reaching diverse audiences and turning cultural engagement into a dynamic experience that supports dialogue, intellectual growth, and social development.

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Years Since the Forum’s Establishment

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Events and Lectures Across Diverse Fields

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Speakers from the Arab World

Most Prominent Guest Speakers

Throughout its history, the Forum has hosted renowned thinkers, academics, and decision-makers from Jordan, the Arab world, and beyond, who have contributed to shaping public awareness.

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad – Former Prime Minister of Malaysia

Watch His Session Here

The Renowned Author Ibrahim Nasrallah

Watch his Session Here

The Renowned Author Wasini Al-A’raj

Watch his Session Here

Dr. Amr Moussa – Former Secretary-General of the Arab League

Watch his Session Here

Dr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam – President of Singapore

Watch His Session Here

Dr. Philip Yeo

Watch His Session Here

Cultural Forum Programs

Monday Lectures

The Monday Lecture Program is the backbone of the Shoman Cultural Forum. It is a weekly platform that hosts leading thinkers, academics, and experts from various fields to discuss issues related to public affairs, both locally and across the Arab world. The program covers a wide range of topics, including culture, education, literature, freedoms, media, women, youth, the environment, economics, public policy, and more, reflecting the pulse of society and its transformations. Monday Meeting activities include poetry evenings, book launches, academic sessions, and open dialogues with the public.
The program is distinguished by encouraging active audience participation - not only through attendance, but also through discussion, questions, and the expression of opinions - in an open atmosphere that promotes a culture of dialogue and celebrates intellectual diversity.

Today, every Monday at 6:30 p.m. marks a new meeting, a tradition that has been ongoing since 1986.

Next Monday Lecture

Roundtable

The Roundtable consists of a series of closed, invitation-only discussion sessions bringing together experts and specialists to examine a specific and timely topic, often with research, cultural, or social dimensions. These meetings aim to deepen expert dialogue and produce well-considered recommendations that help open new pathways for understanding and decision-making. They are considered one of the forum’s key tools for supporting knowledge-based policymaking.

Local and Arab Seminars

From the Local to the Arab World: Intersecting and Interacting Issues

Local Seminar: Focuses on national, social, economic, cultural, or legislative issues, with participation from Jordanian researchers and subject-matter experts. Held over one or more days, it produces documented scholarly outcomes.

Joint Arab Seminar: Organized in collaboration with Arab cultural institutions, bringing together speakers from across the Arab world to discuss intellectual or strategic issues of shared concern to Arab societies.

Guest of the Year

A Recognition Based on Ideas and Achievement

Since 1997, the Forum has adopted the “Guest of the Year” program to honor influential Jordanian figures who are still living and who have made a genuine national contribution in the fields of science, culture, knowledge, or public service.

Through the Guest of the Year program, the Abdul Hameed Shoman Cultural Forum has honored: Ihsan Abbas, Abdul Aziz Al-Douri, Nasir Al-Din Al-Asad, Mahmoud Al-Samra, Abdul Karim Gharaybeh, Hashem Yaghi, Mohammad Adnan Al-Bakhit, Ali Mahafzah, Kamel Al-Ajlouni, Haidar Mahmoud, Khaled Al-Karaki, Abdul Salam Al-Majali, Mohammad Hamdan, Haifa Al-Bashir, Hind Abu Al-Shaar, Walid Saif, Mousa Al-Nazir, and Victor Balla.

Guest of Honour

Global Experiences Illuminating Local Paths

The “Guest of Honor” program serves as the Forum’s window to leading international experiences in development, education, technology, and policymaking. The guest is selected after thorough research, and a comprehensive program is designed that includes a public lecture, meetings with Jordanian decision-makers, and discussions with experts and stakeholders.

Among the most notable guests of this program are Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, and Dr. Philip Yeo from Singapore.