Thousands of Jordanians meet again, now in downtown Amman.

Click here to see pictures taken minutes ago, from JTV

The mother of the bride, whose wedding was devastated in the Amman suicide bombings, died of her wounds in a coma on Thursday.

Hala al-Faroukah died due to severe injuries to her spinal cord, which stopped her respiratory system from functioning, said a doctor at Amman Surgical Hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity. She was in her late 50s.

Her death brings the number of people killed in the November 9 attacks at three Amman hotels to 62, including the three bombers. Al Qaeda in Iraq, the terror group led by the Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Al-Faroukah was wounded in the attack at the Radisson SAS hotel where an Iraqi, identified as Ali Hussein Ali al-Shamari, walked into the ballroom during a wedding party and detonated a belt of explosives. The blast killed her husband, Khaled al-Alami, immediately, and caused the greatest number of casualties of the three hotel bombings.

The bride and groom, Ashraf and Nadia Akhras, survived the explosion without injury. But 17 relatives of Ashraf were killed, including his father, and Nadia lost 11 family members, including her parents.

Ashraf Akhras said Thursday that al-Faroukah had been in a coma since she was admitted to the hospital shortly after the attack.

She died at dawn Thursday, he told The Associated Press. He and his wife had visited her in the hospital Wednesday night.

The Radisson hotel bomber’s wife, Sajida Mubarak Atrous al-Rishawi, was arrested Sunday. She confessed on television that she tried to detonate her own explosives belt, but it failed and she fled the scene.

Source: Associated Press

Today, the tear I thought that dried, came out again, I was watching mbc, they were broadcasting a program about late Mustafa Al-Akkad, listening to him while he was speaking about his dreams, I was deeply touched and saddened.

Mustafa Al-Akkad as most of you know was working on making a high budget hit movie about SALAH-ADDIN, the reason that he chose SALAH-ADDIN is because he wanted to show the world that Jerusalem is an Arabic city 100%. Such films can be a very straight to the point shortcut for all Muslims and Arabs to prove a point for the west. The movie that never saw the light I believe was a chance that we might never get again to prove for the west that Jerusalem is an Arabic city, period.
Making a movie is much different than writing a book, because let’s say that a very distinguished author wanted to write a book about Jerusalem. Who will read it? Only those who are either interested or curious about the History of Jerusalem or SALAH-ADDIN will read the book! Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t underestimate the value of books, because in this case eventually the movie will tell the story that this presumed book wanted to tell! So, late Mustafa Al-Akkad wanted to combine the power of the story with the power of movies. Then not only those who are interested or curious in Jerusalem’s history & SALAH-ADDIN will see the movie, the movie will be seen all over the world! The story that we wanted to tell will be heard by millions all over the world. Too bad this will not happen.

What did those murderers, those bastards achieve, or want to prove?!!
Only blinds can’t tell white from black!

May peace be on your soul Mustafa Al-Akkad, a true Muslim, a true Arab hero! A real Arab knight!! May God let you rest in peace and live forever in heaven.

Click on the image below to watch or download the last video part of the program about late Mustafa Al-Akkad.

Eleven top Jordanian officials, including the national security adviser, resigned Tuesday and the government imposed tough new rules aimed at foreigners in the wake of the deadly hotel bombings.

A fourth American died of wounds sustained in the attacks, according to the U.S. Embassy, raising the death toll to 58, plus the three bombers. The American was not further identified.

U.S. National Intelligence Director John Negroponte met top officials in Amman to praise Jordan’s response to the attacks, according to official media, while interrogators questioned the sole surviving member of the attack team about al-Qaida’s network in Iraq.

Two Interpol forensic experts also came to Amman to “exchange information and expertise in the field of fighting crime,” the state-run Petra news agency said.

More details emerged about Sajida Mubarak al-Rishawi, the would-be bomber arrested Sunday following the triple suicide bombings carried out by her husband and two 23-year-old Iraqis on the Radisson SAS, Grand Hyatt and Days Inn hotels.

In a televised confession, al-Rishawi has said her 22-pound explosives belt failed to detonate, though her husband’s did, killing more than 20 wedding partygoers at the Radisson.

Al-Qaida in Iraq, led by Jordanian Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for the Nov. 9 attacks in an Internet statement.

Two of al-Rishawi’s friends said three of her brothers, including a known al-Qaida in Iraq cell leader in the former insurgent bastion of Fallujah, were killed by U.S. forces last year. The friends, from Iraq’s troubled western province of Anbar, spoke on condition of anonymity because they feared retribution from militants.

It was unclear if her brother’s deaths spurred al-Rishawi to take part in the plot or if she was influenced by her 35-year-old husband, who appeared to be the attack cell leader.

Police believe al-Rishawi, who comes from Ramadi in western Iraq, may provide vital clues to al-Qaida in Iraq and possibly al-Zarqawi’s whereabouts. But her interrogation is going slowly among an increasing sense she played only a small part in the operation.

The questioning is expected to last a month and she will be tried in a Jordanian military court, where she could be charged with conspiring to carry out a deadly terrorist attack, a crime that can carry the death penalty.

Interior Minister Awni Yirfas announced new regulations Tuesday aimed at keeping foreign militants from operating covertly in Jordan, including a demand that Jordanians notify authorities within 48 hours of any foreigners renting an apartment or house.

“Violators of this regulation will face legal ramifications,” Yirfas said without elaborating.

The rules require that authorities be given the names, nationalities and passport details of any foreigner renting a property.

“Usually I give such information about any foreign tenants I have, but I think the move is necessary now as a result of the attacks,” said property owner Suleiman Rakan, whose building faced a block in western Amman’s Tlaa’ Ali suburb where the hotel bombers rented a safe house.

No details were given for the resignations of the 11 top officials, who included national security adviser Saad Kheir and Faisal Fayez, the Royal Court chief and a former prime minister.

But the bombings sparked national outrage and raised concerns over the handling of the country’s national security services.

Jordan has also started drafting new anti-terrorism laws that will likely be ready for parliament debate early next year, an Interior Ministry official said.

The laws propose allowing any suspect to be held for questioning indefinitely and imposing penalties on those who put lives or property at risk — inside or outside the country, the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Anyone condoning or justifying terror actions or supporting them financially will face penalties under the proposals, he added.

Jordanian security forces already wield far-reaching powers to arrest and hold suspects. The news laws would be the country’s first specifically designed to counter terrorism.

Source: Yahoo News

Today is the 14th of November 2005. Until year 1998, this date was a celebration date for all Jordanians, it is H.M Late King Hussein’s birthday. More than six years have passed since H.M Late King Hussein passed away in February 7th, 1999. Now all we can do is to remember him, and remember how he gave all his life for Jordan. H.M Late King Hussein was a highly charismatic, wise, peaceful, world-wide recognized leader in an area that continued to be full of tension, the Middle East.
He left us Jordanians the whole world with tons of achievements and memories, all Jordan will remember him forever!

As the saying goes إللي خلّــف ما مات. We congratulate ourselves for having H.M King Abdullah by our side who as wisely continues what Late King Hussein has started.

H.M Late King Hussein’s Photos

Thousands of people were gathered earlier today at 3 PM at the 3rd circle area in Jabal Amman, right opposite to Grand Hyatt Amman hotel, whic is about 500 meters away from Radisson hotel, thousands of people were there, many were crying, many were just talking to each other expressing how they feel 4 days after triple coward explosions took place in our beloved city of Amman, but all the people who were there had one thing in common, which is that they all came here to say ‘NO FOR TERRORISM’.

I was there and I brought you many pictures.

Photo by Nasser Ayoub

Her Majesty Queen Rania continued her visits to the capital’s hospitals Saturday to follow up on the recovery of those injured in Wednesday’s attacks.

During a visit to Al Bashir Hospital, the Queen spoke with patients and offered encouragement to those struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of their loved ones.

Many of the patients told the Queen of the horrific events that took place on Wednesday evening when three suicide bombers struck the Radisson SAS, the Grand Hyatt and the Days Inn hotels killing 67 people and injuring scores of others.

Speaking with the medical staff, Queen Rania also reiterated the need to deal with the emotional and psychological traumas suffered by the victims through continued counselling and treatment, to enable them to come to terms with the unimaginable and sudden loss of loved ones.

Visiting the Arab Medical Centre, where several of those who were critically injured received treatment, resilient survivors spoke of their determination to resume their normal lives, stressing that the visits and support of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania had given them the strength to persevere, in spite of the emotional scars brought about by the attacks.

At the Speciality Hospital, Queen Rania met several Arab patients, who were injured, offering them her support and sympathy.

Also yesterday, the Queen visited the Blood Bank, commending the efforts of the medical staff and ordinary citizens who have donated blood to those in need.

Source: The Jordan Times

Anger in the streets of Amman, in Jordan’s ‘Anger Day’
Protestors send a clear message: ‘We will never tolerate such terrorism’

Photos dated 10th and 11th of November 2005. Credits for Jordan TV.

My version of Abu Mahjoob’s 10th of November caricature, please feel free to send this wallpaper to everyone you know.

Don’t Cry Amman (click here to view full size desktop wallpaper)

On wednesday we heard that renowned international Syrian filmmaker Mustafa Al-Akkad was severely wounded and his daughter Rima was killed.

Yesterday friday, it was very painful for me to hear that Mustafa Al-Akkad has also passed away after having a heart attack.
He will always be in our hearts and we will always remember him and his great work creating movies like “The Message” and “Lion of the Desert -also known as Omar Al Mohktar-”.

In an interview back in 1976 Mustafa Al-Akkad said:

About ‘The Message’(1976): “I did the film because it is a personal thing for me. Besides its production values as a film, it has its story, its intrigue, its drama. Beside all this I think there was something personal, being Muslim myself who lived in the west I felt that it was my obligation my duty to tell the truth about Islam. It is a religion that has a 700 million following, yet it’s so little known about it which surprised me. I thought I should tell the story that will bring this bridge, this gap to the west.” (1976 Interview)

Mustafa Al-Akkad served Islam through his work and through what he does!! God bless Mustafa Al-Akkad God bless Rima Al-Akkad, rest in peace.

From the news:
Syrian-born filmmaker of “The Message,” died Friday from wounds sustained in the triple hotel bombings in Jordan. He was 75.

Akkad, who lived in Los Angeles, died at 7:30am in a Jordanian hospital where he was being treated, said Dr Yousef Qisous in Amman.

“He had bleeding in the lungs, his ribs were fractured and he died of his wounds and a severe heart attack this morning,” Qisous told AP.

Akkad’s sister, Leila, confirmed her brother’s death in a telephone interview with the Associated Press from Damascus.

His daughter, Rima Akkad Monla, 34, also died in one of the explosions that rocked three hotels in Amman on Wednesday night, according to her mother and Akkad’s ex-wife, Patricia Akkad.

Akkad’s sister said the world was saddened by the tragic death of her brother and called for an end to terrorist attacks on civilians.

“I feel sad and the world feels sorrow with us. This kind of incident rarely happens, but it has happened with Moustapha Akkad,” Leila Akkad told the AP. She spoke from Amman where she had flown to be with her wounded brother.

“These attacks are chaotic and do not differentiate an enemy from a friend. A solution must be found to this problem [terrorist attacks],” she said.

Leila, who teaches journalism at state-run Damascus University, said the attacks clearly had not targeted anyone in particular.

“They were aimed at spreading chaos in the country,” she said.

Akkad, best known for producing all eight films in the “Halloween” franchise, also produced and directed “The Message” (1977) and “Lion of the Desert” (1981).

Both starred Anthony Quinn.

Born in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in July 1930, Akkad gained fame as a creative movie director and producer in the Arab world and in the West.

After finishing his secondary studies in Syria, Akkad left for America in 1950, according to Leila. He studied movie direction and production at California University and worked in the United States. Akkad’s most serious and creative efforts showed in “Lion of the Desert” and “The Message,” dramas about the history of Islam.

Akkad was the eldest member in a family of six boys and a girl.

With the death of his daughter, Rima, Akkad is survived by three sons, Tarek, Malek and Zeido.

Akkad’s daughter, Rima, grew up in Los Angeles and was an avid polo player who graduated from the University of Southern California in 1995 with a degree in international relations.

She pursued a master’s degree in Middle East studies at the American University in Beirut, where she met her husband Ziad Monla, 35.

Her husband’s family owns the Monla Hospital in Tripoli, northern Lebanon. The couple, married for six years, had two sons, ages 2 and 4.

“Rima is a totally American girl,” Patricia Akkad, 64, said Thursday in a phone interview from her ex-husband’s home in Los Angeles. “Here’s an American who was over there and innocently killed for no reason.” Akkad said her daughter loved living in Beirut. “We all know the problems in the Middle East, and you never think it’s going to touch you,” she said.

Funeral services were scheduled for Friday in Tripoli.

“She was the light of everybody’s life,” Patricia Akkad said. “She put everybody else first.” Funeral services for Akkad were scheduled for Sunday in his hometown of Aleppo, his sister Leila said.

In these difficult times, one might ask himself “what can I do?”, I think everyone can do something for Jordan and have his word heard by all the world, the singer can sing a song and have his say about all whats going on, the artist can paint a painting to express what he feels, the journalist can seek the truth and announce it for the world to hear, the actor can start a play and dramatize the reality that we are living, everyone can have his word heard and let everyone around the globe know what islam is really about, and that what those terrorists are doing has nothing to do with islam. In other words we all can be soldiers, we all can give Jordan something in return of all what Jordan has given us and still giving us.