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, 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

Young Americans studying Arabic like to joke that Jordan is “Middle East Lite” — a safe way into a tumultuous region without Lebanon’s violence, Syria’s tense relationship with the U.S. or the Gulf’s conservative culture …

… The capital, Amman, lacks much of the history and color that attract Americans to Cairo, the most popular destination for foreign students who want to learn Arabic. But Amman comes without the air pollution and crowds that plague Egypt’s capital.

Pardon me while I wipe the coffee off my computer screen as I happened to be drinking it when I read that Amman lacks history and color …

… as I recall seeing in a single day in Amman:

1. Hill of the Citadel
2. Temple of Hercules
3. National Archaeological Museum of Jordan
4. The Roman Amphitheater in Amman
5. King Abdullah I Mosque

And while I would have like to have seen the King Hussein Ben Talal Mosque this last time around, my group’s close proximity to the Dead Sea and Umm Qais inspired other plans. Moreover, in both my visits, I found Amman a safe place to walk about on my own at night with many of the city’s residents eager to engage in commerce and conversation with me by day.

University of Wisconsin at Green Bay stand w/friends in from of the Jordan University Language Center

Perhaps is this mix of old and new that inspired the AP writer to describe Liza Hester, an Arabic student from Maine’s Colby College, as follows:

She speculated that places like Egypt and Yemen would be more difficult to navigate and said her college would not give her credit for Arabic classes taken in countries on the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory list, such as Syria and Lebanon.

Jordan, perhaps best known as home of the ancient red rock city of Petra, has generally been safe for foreigners despite an occasional flare-up in violence. A Palestinian gunman wounded six people outside a popular Roman amphitheater in Amman earlier this summer, while triple hotel blasts claimed by al-Qaida in Iraq killed 63 people in 2005.

Hmmm … then again, perhaps Mr. Gavlak hasn’t really enjoyed the famous Jordanian hospitality?

Let me just set the record straight here folks: yes, there have been a couple of incidents of violence in Jordan – some directed at tourists – however as a former resident of both Washington D.C. and New York City, I found Amman far safer and far friendlier than either of my former places of residence.

The AP article goes on to point out other advantages of studying in Jordan:

More than 300 Americans are expected to study Arabic at the University of Jordan in the fall, making up over half of this year’s class of 600 students.

The size of the program has tripled since the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States, said Tawfiq Omar, the academic adviser for foreigners learning Arabic at the university.

It is the largest of more than 30 Arabic language programs offered in Jordan. Many charge about $2,000 per year in tuition — less than the cost of many programs in countries like Egypt and Syria …

… Jordan’s moderate government has encouraged Americans to visit the country, hoping the exchange will reduce misconceptions about the Middle East …

… A large number of Jordanians in Amman speak at least a little English, which makes the transition easier for Americans who come to the country to learn Arabic for the first time. Also, many signs in the country are posted in both English and Arabic.

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, to others as well as I list below a few recent blog posts and articles bay and/or of students studying Arabic in Jordan:

• Journey to Jordan: State Department sends US teens, UW-Green Bay reps to Mideast
• Sugar City woman studies in Jordan
• First Week in Amman from Jordan Study Abroad Trip
• So long! – Journal of an American student studying abroad in Amman, Jordan

Oh, and while some, like the the skeptical voices over at the Black Iris blog, might speculate that Americans ‘Learning Arabic In Jordan‘ is simply some sort of covert CIA and/or NSA program – those of us who understand and appreciate the ever growing global economy know that as the Middle East expands into markets other than oil that a knowledge of Arabic will open several doors to several opportunities.

For example, it is not that far fetched that U.S. companies high-tech wouldn’t mind having additional pools of talent from which to draw as countries such as India continue to price themselves out of the market.

Held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, this event runs from August 20 to September 1, this athletic competition will bring together over 2,000 athletes from 18 Arab countries where they will compete in several sports events including:

• football (soccer)
• basketball
• handball
• volleyball
• table tennis
• badminton
• swimming

According to the Jordan Times:

Minister of Education Tayseer Nueimi said the fact that Jordan was chosen for the event demonstrates the country’s ability to host such high calibre sports tournaments, underlining that the Kingdom’s teams had been given all forms of support to prepare for the Games.

Director of the Arab League’s Youths and Sports Department Hani Mustafa said that Jordan was known for good organisation, hoping the Games would be a success. Fathi Idriss, deputy secretary of the Arab Physical Fitness and School Sports Association, commended the big effort undertaken by the Kingdom to prepare for the tournament.

Participating nations, other than Jordan, include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Comoros, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon.

Now if they’d just update the English version of the Jordanian Ministry of Education website, I might be able to link up with more information (or perhaps I should just finish learning Arabic and start healing web sites over there).

What I have been able to scrape together is that events are free, held from 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM in Amman and that the Jordanian Olympic Committee can be contacted for further information at:

• Tel: 06 567 11 71
• Fax: 06 567 11 89
• Email: info -at- joc -dot- jo
• Website: www.joc.jo

Souk Jara is a Jordanian annual, weekly flea market event organized by the Jabal Amman Residents Association (Jara) that occurs every Friday throughout the summer that offers a variety of family-oriented activities including:

• new games for kids and adults Souk Jara Games
• delicious treats at the Souk Jara Cafe
• musical concerts and films at the Souk Jara Theater
• and plenty of good deals on handcrafts, antitiquties and other home made items at the Souk Jara Market

The last Souk Jara for 2008 season will open at 10AM and close at 10PM and is being held in Jabal Amman, First Circle, Jara Street (Fawzi Malouf Street). For you tourist types, Jabal Amman is one of the original 7 hills that made Amman and is now one of its classical quarters. Amman of course is the capital of Jordan.

More details and contact information can be found at the Jabal Amman Residents Association website, Jara-jordan.com.

Below are some links to blogs and online gallerys that further describe the Souk Jara event:

• Jara-Jordan photo gallery
• Into the Wind  – Is Amman Boring?
• Traveling Marshalls – Positive VS. Negative
• Jen’s blog – Amman Oases
• Moey’s – What to do in Amman today?
• Travelpod – A wrap-up of the last week
• Sugar Cube’s Flickr – Souk Jara

An eclectic and well-dressed group of Ammanis joined Wonho Chung for an evening of variety show-like material. The show, presented by Shashati.TV, was a mix of stand up comedy, video clips, and cartoons produced by Jordanian media companies. Shashati.TV is a new website to help Arab filmmakers get in touch with each other. They are asking for content, good or bad content; Shashati.TV seems like it is trying to be the deviantArt of Arab film. A noble quest in my opinion.

It goes like this: you join the community by posting videos, leaving comments, joining conversations and learning about film related news. In the mean time, you meet new people and hopefully collaborate with others in your projects. It is an interesting concept, and a well-organized team.

The benefit to someone like myself, living outside of Jordan, is that the posted videos on Shashati.TV offer a number acts in English for those of us whom who’d like to sneak a peak at modern Jordanian and Arabic arts and culture, though this writer believes that performances on such as the Bedouin-techno dances transcend all barriers of language and geography.

Diana Scimone, a member of the group I toured Jordan with this past November  writes to link us up to her article about the “Other Holy Land” that is the Hashemite Kingdom in Charisma magazine and her photo album; while expressing a sentiment many of us hold:

My journey to Jordan was great and I look forward to a return visit; it’s time for more yummy mezzas and another death-defying, donkey-dodging climb in spectacular Petra. Hope you enjoy the article and the photos!

Thanks for sharing Diana – and yeah, I agree – I my dream is to go back and do even more video blogging of all the fantastic places and foods to see, hear, and yes … taste … but I digress, as Diana’s post reminds a certain Jordan blogger he has about 5,000 photos and 5 hours of video he needs to annotate and get up online (lazy slug!-).

Speaking of work, engaged in some scientific research the Jordan Soils Gang visits Madaba, writing about the effect the current drought in Jordan is having on the agrarian culture and economy that surrounds this city of ceramics.

For Kathy over at Beginnings: Mountains and Sea found that Ma’in Hot Springs were her favorite tourist spot — even if as she put it, “… the bathrooms sent Tamara and I running out screaming …”

Speaking of screaming, Kelly learns the hard way a few more Small Change[s]: via More Travels… this time to the briny Dead Sea:

We failed to heed our friends’ warning and brought Will into the water, and he quickly erupted in tears as the salt stung what we think must have been a very, very minor case of diaper rash. A fresh water shower failed to relieve his pain and/or emotional distress, and he managed to calmed down only after consuming a few of his all-time favorite fruit snacks, of which I wisely packed about 20 little pouches for our week-long trip.

Heck, I’d cry too if I only had 20 pouches of my favorite snacks for a week long trip! Though it looks like all were happy once they got back to the incredible array of fresh water swimming pools and fountains at the the Jordan Valley Marriott Resort & Spa.

While recovering from surgery Dori’s recalls dictations she made during her 1995 journey to Jordan. Yes folks, Wadi Rum is that memorable a place.

Speaking of memorable recollections, Luk blesses us with 6 hand-drawn samples worth at least 6,000 words from his sketchblog: back from jordan …

Taking a break from studying Arabic in Syria Isoblue visits the gem of حياتي في دمشق: Jordan taking a page out of my own book when touring Petra:

Only one objective for this first 2 days (29th and 30th of April 08) trip to Jordan: PETRA. This is a wonderful place but you have to get to the site at the opening time (6 a.m.) if you want to enjoy the real Petra, I mean without all the stupid tourists (the worst type I saw in my life: they did not have any respect for the beauty of the place, they don’t care about the country – I don’t understand when people walk half naked in the middle of a desert? Are we in a Mediterranean club? – and there are extremely noisy for a natural place like Petra).

The only downside to said approach is if the individual running the ticket booth is late. Fortunately when I visited Petra last November, the attendant arrived early – and let us in at about 5:45 AM.

Meanwhile, Maggie over at Kenya Dig It? describes some of the free entertainment and amusements that await a traveler when translations mishaps happen:

Translation mishaps are fabulous when traveling. For instance, Jessica and I rented a car for our trip through Jordan and when we thanked the car rental guy for his assistance he replied “You are mostly welcome”. Later on at one of our hostels a sign read “Not responsible for any lost”. This was right after swim at your own risk and no children under 15 allowed without parents.

Maggie also provides four fun video montages of such madness … well work the blog-hop.

Finally, over at Pathan Tiktiki’s blog … it looks like Jibonjatri is getting a little less dinner with his U.S. dollar bought Jordanian dinar writing:

I just discovered that Jordanian dinar is actually stronger than US dollar. 1 Jordanian dinar is approximately equal to $1.41 USD. I guess it is slightly arrogant of me to have expected the other way around. It really came to me as a shocker. Planning the trip to Jordan *might* be slightly more expensive than anticipated. But I guess it’s all worth it!

You got that right Pathan, after all, what is that aphorism I’m after? Oh yeah, ‘even a bad day vacationing in Jordan is still better than a good day at work!‘

How about you? Got an Jordanian journey experience you’ve blogged about? Let me know as I’m about to equip this blog with a cool tool that’ll letcha post your own content here with only the bare minimum of adult supervision.

At least the picture, well several pictures we read on the blog Journey of my Life whose post ‘Day 1 – Amman, Jordan: 10 April 2008, Thursday‘ included a morning tour of the:

1. Hill of the Citadel
2. Temple of Hercules
3. National Archaeological Museum of Jordan
4. The Roman Amphitheater in Amman
5. A tour of the city of Amman

All before heading out to Petra by way of the famous Karak castle via a King’s highway the authoress describes as:

After that we headed for lunch but first we have to pass the King’s Highway which was one of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. It was just absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. Very similar to Grand Canyon in Las Vegas, USA.

It does sound like the new museum is yet to be opened as the writer describes her own archaeological find:

This small museum houses an excellent collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the 15th century. There is an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a copy of the Mesha Stele and four rare Iron Age sarcophagi.

Still, not bad for the first day … and yet another great description of all there is to see and do just about any and everywhere in Jordan.

I definately will be checking back in on this blog to see how the rest of the story goes.