Amman – Jordan Media Institute (JMI) held a seminar entitled "King Hussein Bin Talal: His Vision and Heritage" which hosted two speakers; Lieutenant General Ihsan Shurdom, former Commander of the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF), and Ali Shukri, former Communications Director at the Royal Hashemite Court (RHC).
Conducted by JMI Dean Dr. Basim Tweissi, the seminar discussed King Al-Hussein’s achievements and vision, his leadership qualities, his constant efforts for development, his belief in Arab cooperation and his far-sightedness.
Shurdom pointed out that Al-Hussein was a skilled army leader who sought permanent development in various fields, especially in the military sector. Adding that Al-Hussein was known for "his precise knowledge of weapons and his constant encouragement to the various ranks to pursue training and conduct joint maneuvers."
The former Commander of RJAF also explained the leadership qualities of Al-Hussein had ensured steering Jordan away from major crises; "Al-Hussein was able to rebuild Jordan four times, after the hardships that resulted from the circumstances and the wars in the region at the time."
Shurdom added that Al-Hussein had always looked forward to achieving a united Arab force that shares expertise in all aspects and possibilities. Adding that if Al-Hussein’s visions were fulfilled, we would have avoided many calamities, especially the occupation of Kuwait.
For his part, Shukri recalled how Kuwait’s occupation was one of the most difficult ordeals faced by Jordan, where Jordan’s stand towards the crisis resulted in a huge pressure exerted on both the Kingdom and the late King. However, “time has proved that Al-Hussein was right and that the Jordanian stand was correct.” Adding that the late British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, was “deeply moved by the Jordanian stance at the time, but after her retirement she asked to meet King Hussein and admitted that he was right."
Shukri also spoke of what he witnessed of Al-Hussein’s keenness in following-up with his citizens’ conditions and needs; citing an incident where Al-Hussein, in light of the hard economic circumstances that were prevalent at the time, was determined to issue an extra thirteenth-salary pay to all employees despite the limited funds in the public budget."
In their open discussion with JMI students, both speakers talked about Al-Hussein’s vision and about his approach in dealing with the most central crises experienced by the Kingdom during the time of his reign, always guarded by wisdom and proficiency, overcoming many of the political and economic conditions that Jordan was going through back then.