On 15 August 2011, I was invited by the Imams of a local mosque in Amman to join them for iftar.
In an effort  to absorb more of the cultural nuances of Jordan, I decided to participate in the fasting aspect of Ramadan. This entails no food or drink from dawn to dusk. I made this decision relatively early in my time here, knowing that I would be in country during what is the socio-cultural/religious highlight of the year here. In the evening, when practicing Muslims break their fast, it is called iftar—the meal to break the fast. And, in the mornings, early, early, early, there is what is called sahour—basically a small meal to prepare the body to be food and beverage free for roughly 14 hours.
This being said, one of my colleagues here at the office—Mahmoud Al Arab—was speaking with the imams of one of the mosques near his home in East Amman. He mentioned what he was doing in regards to VolunTourism Jordan and, as you might have guessed, my name came into the conversation. He then proceeded to mention that I was fasting during Ramadan and this piqued the interest of the Imams. So, to shorten the story, the Imams invited me to the mosque to partake in the iftar following the sunset prayer.

It was my first time in a mosque. Although I did not understand the Arabic, although I picked up the word Allah on more than one occasion, nor have a been versed in the movements of the Islamic prayers, I was touched by the sincerity of those who greeted me and “welcomed” me in what may have been the only English word they knew. Just prior to prayer, we sat cross-legged before a long white strip of plastic that featured a plate filled with dates spread every fifth person or so and a set of two cups—one filled with water, the other with buttermilk. Dates are viewed as one of the traditional means of breaking the fast prior to the sunset prayer, followed by the iftar.
So it was that some 50 – 75 lads and gentlemen sat down before these two cups, proceeded to drink each while consuming 3, 5, or 7 dates apiece. The two long strips of plastic, the cups, and plates of dates were then quickly removed and the prayer began.
By this time, nearly 100 lads and gentlemen were standing shoulder-to-shoulder, feet-to-feet uttering the name of Allah and going through their movements on the way to completing three rotations and finishing the prayer. It took roughly ten minutes.
As an observer of these happenings, I can but only offer that the energy in the space changed. Accustomed to being in sacred places the world over, I have come to appreciate each one, particularly when those present make a sincere effort to practice their practice, whatever that may be. Evidently, the members of this mosque were making the effort as there was a definite change in the feeling and the quieting of restlessness that accompanied their movements. I was not the least bit uncomfortable in my position as observer and it felt as though the members of the mosque were equally satisfied with my presence.
After the prayer, we moved to an outdoor patio area where mansaf was served. This is a traditional Jordanian dish and features white rice, roasted almonds, and quartered chicken served over very thin bread, almost the same thickness as a crepe. Over this is poured warm yogurt.
As a vegetarian, myself, I was allowed to bring my own “meal” – cashews, almonds, and pineapple juice for my iftar. As you might imagine, after fasting for 14 hours, the food is consumed rather quickly. In a matter of fifteen minutes, most of the members had eaten and were on their way to their respective homes.
However, a cadre of 10 or so, began to gather round to pry the Amriki (that’s me) with a number of questions. Would you like to know what they asked?
Mahmoud served as interpreter, and here is what he offered.
What do you think of Jordan?
Answer: I think it is a beautiful place with a rich history and magnificent landscapes.
What do you think of Jordanians?
Answer: I think they are an amazing people. Everything runs smoothly, however, until they are confronted with an obstacle. These is when they do one of three things—deny it exists, find the quickest way around it, or become incensed because it will not go away. (Not that this is unlike other cultures, of course, but this has been my observation. For example, a stop sign, in most neighborhoods, is approached at nearly full speed and the horn is honked two or three times as the driver passes through the stop sign. The only way to slow down this process is if an actual car is in the intersection blocking the path.

Were you afraid to come here tonight?
Answer: No, I was not afraid, not in the least.

Are you sure? You didn’t have any hesitations
Answer: Yes. I had no hesitations.
What do you think of Islam?

Answer: It is a living practice. (i.e. its value in one’s life is limited or manifested simply by the degree to which it is practiced throughout one’s life—much as any faith practice is)
Why do the Western media portray Islam in such a negative way?
Answer: Ignorance. I think they do not know any better. No one has taught them about Islam, nor do they seek to find out more. They simply write about it from the limited-to-no understanding that they have of the subject. (Obviously, Western media is in the business of selling fear, at least this is my perspective, and what sells, therefore, is what people are most afraid of and, of course, this means, at present anyway, Islam and Muslims.
What food do you eat as a vegetarian?
Answer: I make some of my own dishes including one of my favorite dishes—bananas, chickpeas, apples, tahini, and honey.
Have you ever made a dish you could not eat?
Answer: No, never.
What things do you practice that are similar to Islam?
Answer: I fast. I support charitable efforts. I hold that there is a single Infinite Power. These are the things I believe are in keeping with Islam
What do Americans think of Muslims?
Answer: I do not know. I can only speak to what I think. For me, my only barrier is the language.
This is not the entire list of questions, but I think you get the idea. They shared much with me. One gentleman, a black-belt in karate, no less, shared the reasoning behind some of the movements of the prayer they were practicing earlier in the evening—how it aligns the spine, opens the lungs to receive oxygen, and strengthens the heart.

The sincerity of the group was patent; so patent, in fact, that I have been invited to return. Wonder of Wonders!
Mahmoud and I went for a walk in his neighborhood after the engagement. He took me by his school and shared some stories of his childhood, what it was like growing up there—how the wall where he and some of the other boys used to sit became a place for staring and whistling at girls and so it was torn down. How the girls and boys are separated at a very young age to go to school in completely separate facilities. Although one can read about these things, having it expressed and shared through the vision of a Jordanian carries with it so much more than a Wikipedia page ever could.
It is premature to suggest that any ‘voluntourist’ could have the experience I am having here in Jordan. Living here, as I am, likely I am privy to things that a voluntourist would not be, unless such was incorporated into the experience somehow.
As it is, this is a good snapshot of my life at present. Ramadan is a difficult time for the physical form – very demanding on many levels. My mind works until noon, from my 3am starting time that is, and then loses its grip on cognitive processing until I take an afternoon siesta for an hour or two. Running is also a challenge, but I have been able to keep it up a couple of times a week. I have found that it is easier to run just prior to breaking the fast in the evening, rather than trying to wake up at 1am to get in a run before ‘sahour’.
I am hopeful that each of you may one day find your way to a place that is rooted in traditions that are truly ancient insofar as human history is concerned. Putting your hands on an olive tree that is 2500 years old; eating dates of so many types and varieties you cannot imagine such is possible; speaking with members of tribal communities who can trace their family trees back millennia ago. Whether it be here in Jordan or elsewhere, the experience is indescribable in its subtlety, albeit it can also have moments that are far from subtle.
Sitting with those Imams and members of the mosque, I felt as though I was communicating with time itself.

I will likely never fully apprehend what happened last evening. To be invited into a mosque, to break fast with members of that mosque during Ramadan, to be asked such questions, sincerely no less, and to be hosted in such a manner. I would venture to guess that no other Amriki has ever been treated in such a manner, at least in that neighborhood mosque. To suggest that the door was opened through VolunTourism, well, it might be a stretch; but it certainly didn’t hurt. And, I guess this is my philosophy: If you put service as the uppermost intention in the context of your travel engagement with the world around you, what unfolds cannot be imagined or expected. It can only be experienced.

David L. Clemmons is the founder, VolunTourism.org. Presently he is in Amman working the Jordan Inbound Tour Operators Association.
Skype: thevoluntourist

http://www.voluntourism.org

http://blog.voluntourism.org

Please Note: I am currently living in Amman. I may be unreachable by email for days at a time, so please keep this in mind if you are on a deadline for a project or article.

ESKADENIA Software, Amman, Jordan,

The Saudi National Insurance Co chose ESKADENIA Software Insurance systems (General Insurance and Financial Insurance) because of its excellent features of creating quotations, issuing policies, endorsements, claims, processing of reinsurance and renewal transactions rapidly and accurately as well as a comprehensive management information system. These flexible and fully integrated systems will better help SNIC manage the full lifecycle of all their General Insurance functions and services, which will contribute actively in aiding SNIC in its total management of its works and services related to general insurance.

The software packages also provides SNIC users with advanced real-time reports and statistics in the form of charts, diagrams and management dash boards to analyse operational performance and support the decision making process.
Developed using Microsoft .Net technology and residing on Oracle Database, the web-based systems will allow SNIC employees to define insurance products, manage production, and run daily insurance transactions in an efficient and simple manner. Through the systems’ location-independent interface, the company can efficiently handle greater volumes of operations and smoothly manage work processes, through all of its offices and branches in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

ESKADENIA Software Sales Manager Mr Shadi Saadeh said: “ESKADENIA Software’s continuous success in entering new markets, and expanding its customer base in distinguished insurance companies; points to the high quality of ESKADENIA software solutions and efficient performance in applying and maintaining its systems used by clients.”

General Manager of the Saudi National Insurance Company Mr Khaled Al Sheikh said: “In the framework of our strategic plan to develop the company’s core business in improving customer satisfaction and increasing our market share for 2011, SNIC signed an agreement with word-class software vendor ESKADENIA Software to execute, implement an advanced robust IT solutions for insurance systems that are distinguished by its high flexibility and professionalism.”

About SNIC

The Saudi National Insurance Co, based in the Bahrain Kingdom, was established in 1974 and licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain in 2006 as a registered Bahraini company with a paid up capital of BD 10 million. The Jeddah-based Ibrahim Jafaali and Sons holds 72.5% of SNIC shares, Munich Reinsurance 22.5% and the Zurich Financial Services 5%. SNIC was given long-term BBB credit rating recently in the insurance field from standard and Poor. Such classification reflects the stability of the company as one of the leading strategic firms in the insurance market on the regional level.

About ESKADENIA Software

ESKADENIA® Software is active in the design, development and deployment of a range of software products in the Telecommunications, Insurance, Enterprise, Education, and Internet application areas. The company is based in Jordan and has sales activities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; more than 85% of its sales are exported to the global market. ESKADENIA Software is a product and market-oriented organisation that assists enterprises and promotes businesses by use of highly effective IT strategies, solutions and tools. ESKADENIA Software strongly believes that a company’s achievement is based on the success of its Human Resources and the commitment to quality and excellence that each one holds strong to. ESKADENIA endeavours as a team to maintain quality and customer respect, build up perseverance, and foster innovation.
For more information, please contact us at contacts@eskadenia.com, or visit our site, www.eskadenia.com

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Initialling the ESKADENIA-SNIC Agreement

ESKADENIA Software, Amman, Jordan, June 2011

The session was attended by many of the ESKADENIA clients including managers and administrators of schools and specialists in the programming field and information technology. Discussion also centered on best solutions and presentations made on educational programming portfolios.

ESKADENIA Software honoured a number of schools that use its solution modules including the Modern Montessori School, Ahliyyah School for Girls, Amman Bishop School, Amman Baptist School, Al Bayan School, Amman Academy School, The International Academy School, and ASAMIAH International School.

ESKADENIA Executive Partner Mrs. Doha Abdelkhaleq said: “This event is in appreciation of our current clients, schools and managers for their cooperation with the company over many years and support for local programmers, emphasizing ESKADENIA will strive to present the best services and programming solutions appropriate to the needs of the local community.”

Afterwards there were presentations for each of the attendees on ESKA® Academia, latest integrated software modules presented by ESKADENIA in a demo session lasting six hours with intermission and a continuation on the explanation of services with a dinner reception for all the attendees.

AbdelKhaleq continued that ESKA® Academia system was created after a long re-search by a group of young educated Jordanians who realized the needs of the Jordanian market and developed this system for a school management that would provide leadership and be in the forefront of technological progress.

About ESKADENIA Software
ESKADENIA® Software is active in the design, development and deployment of a range of software products in the Telecommunications, Insurance, Enterprise, Education, and Internet application areas. The company is based in Jordan and has sales activities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; more than 85% of its sales are exported to the global market. ESKADENIA Software is a product and market-oriented organisation that assists enterprises and promotes businesses by use of highly effective IT strategies, solutions and tools. ESKADENIA Software strongly believes that a company’s achievement is based on the success of its Human Resources and the commitment to quality and excellence that each one holds strong to. ESKADENIA endeavours as a team to maintain quality and customer respect, build up perseverance, and foster innovation.
For more information, please contact us at m.amro@eskadenia.com , or visit our site, www.eskadenia.com

ESKADENIA Software Company, Amman, Jordan, June 2011

The Arab Egyptian Land Bank is considered the first in the Arab World in terms of its deep-rootedness, and establishment. Amongst its continuous plans for development, the Arab Egyptian Land Bank has chosen ESKADENIA Software Company to build and develop its electronic website on the internet.

A study for developing the website has been carefully made in harmony with the bank’s marketing strategy and to target the appropriate audiences inside and outside Jordan. This current project emanates from the bank’s care to serve clients around the clock, and wherever they maybe. The new website allows clients to know about the services provided by the bank and monitor their accounts. The new system allows for greater flexibility and simplicity to give the most appropriate services required by the client.

Mr. Hazem Yousef, Regional Manager of the Arab Egyptian Land Bank says: “One of our major steps in keeping up with the modernization of the bank presently is to develop the website, make it more active and facilitate communication with clients. That is why we chose ESKADENIA because it is one of the leading and specialized companies in the field of website development”.

ESKADENIA Software Company Executive Partner Mrs. Duha Abdul Khaliq says: “We are designing the Bank’s new website according to the ESKADENIA System, which allows for the control of its content and can be updated according to latest developments. The ESKADENIA System enables the site manager and copy editors to benefit from wide advantages and editing tools without resorting to technical help or programming languages, making it easier and more effective to develop”.

Arab Egyptian Land Bank

The bank was established in 1880, set up as a shareholding company named the Egyptian Land Bank and launched one of its major objectives to develop the Egyptian agricultural sector. It loaned owners of agricultural lands to improve their productivity and push the wheels of the Egyptian economy forward. It sought to improve communication with all segments of the local community and allow them to be more productive and resourceful and modernize the construction process and national development.

And because the Arab Egyptian Land Bank was established to enhance the Arab economy, it had an effective role in supporting the Palestinian people in their ordeal. In March 1946 the Arab Land Company was established and registered in Jordan in 1951, and began offering its banking services to all economic sectors in the region. Today the bank offers its services through 50 branches spread in the Egyptian Arab Republic, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Palestine and has corresponding network all over the world.

ESKADENIA Software Company

ESKADENIA Software Company works in designing and developing software and information technology in the fields of telecommunications, insurance, company management, education and internet. It’s headquarters is Jordan and has offices in the Middle East, Europe and Africa.

The company concentrates its efforts in providing products and advanced solutions to the market, with aim of helping its clients to use strategies, instruments and effective technical solutions. For more information about ESKADENIA Software Company please contact us at m.amro@eskadenia.com, or visit our website www.eskadenia.com

Mr Kawar, who established Petra Tours in 1965, at a time when there was very few tour operators in the Kingdom, was given the prestigious medal bearing the name of the late King, in a celebration held at the Palace of Culture at the Al Hussein Sports City to mark Jordan’s Independence Day  on 25 May, 2011.  

This year’s 65^th Independence Day celebrations which was organized by Jordan’s Prime Minister Maraouf Al Bakheit, was attended by Their Majesties King Abdullah, Queen Rania as well as HRH Crown Prince Hussein.

Petra Tours is an all-services tourism provider that specializes in inbound and outbound tourism, and is a major meetings, events and exhibitions organizer in Jordan.

“This is a great event which we have regularly attended throughout the years, to bring a sense of dynamism to the tourist trade, and no doubt this year will be another auspicious business occasion,” adds Awni Kawar. We are looking forward to another great ATM 2011.