Jordanian Royal Family and Money

[papillon]

In what may be our last couple weeks together, I thought I'd begin a thread dedicated to the JRF's sources and uses of money. Some of us have noted the profligate ways of KA, QR, and other members of the JRF in various threads and also pondered the sources of this money.

With respect to the U.S.'s huge annual aid package to Jordan, does anyone else ever wonder where it all goes and whether the Jordanian government ever has to fully account for and disclose its uses? If not, why not? And why aren't investigative journalists outside Jordan (obviously, the local journalists would never be permitted to touch this issue) having a field day with this issue?

[pepep]

goes and whether the Jordanian government ever has to fully account for and disclose its uses?

no, Money is a grant and ones they are in we are loosing control of if. We don’t have control system by our people. It would be impossible and costly.

[pepep]

And why aren't investigative journalists outside Jordan

Jordan has limited number of foreign journalists. They all have to be register under Jordanian Ministry of Information and in Jordanian Journalists Union.

[QueenB]

I couldn't agree more.. To be honest - in US's case.. Bush doesn't care what they do with the funds as long as they support the war in Iraq and do anything else Bush wants.
They should be held accountable for every cent. It's pitiful when news agencies - not just in Jordan but all over the place - focus on the fact that they are 'modern' instead of what contributions they are really making to their country and how the foreign aid money is REALLY being spent.. whenever I see the new QR outfit or the new planes or the love KA has for cars - I think 'there goes our tax dollars wasted on another leader.'

Investigative journalists in Jordan would be too vocal about not just spending but other things that have happened or are currently happening.. investigative jounalists here are just glad that KA and QR are young and like to pose for pictures.

[papillon]

Originally posted by pepep@Jul 25th, 2004 - 8:50 pm
And why aren't investigative journalists outside Jordan

Jordan has limited number of foreign journalists. They all have to be register under Jordanian Ministry of Information and in Jordanian Journalists Union.

The entire U.S. government operates under a long-standing system of checks and balances. There is redundancy deliberately built into the system. The OMB is supposed to be the keeper of the integrity of the government's financial accounting (I think), with oversight from various House and Senate committees. It's more expensive not to monitor use of funds than to monitor it. And grants are almost NEVER given without strings attached.

I think you might have misunderstood. I mean the investigative journalists already operating outside Jordan, not journalists operating in Jordan, whether nationals or not. They have no freedom of the press, so it's easy to understand why they aren't reporting on this.

[papillon]

Originally posted by QueenB@Jul 25th, 2004 - 9:34 pm
I couldn't agree more.. To be honest - in US's case.. Bush doesn't care what they do with the funds as long as they support the war in Iraq and do anything else Bush wants.

Investigative journalists in Jordan would be too vocal about not just spending but other things that have happened or are currently happening.. investigative jounalists here are just glad that KA and QR are young and like to pose for pictures.

It's as though these funds are the U.S. government's payment for collaboration. But, still, why aren't there publicly accessible reports on how this money is being spent within Jordan? I would LOVE to see an honest accounting and some transparency and disclosure. Well, maybe 'love' is too strong a word, especially for information that is likely to make me wretch.

[QueenB]

Originally posted by papillon+Jul 25th, 2004 - 10:42 pm--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (papillon @ Jul 25th, 2004 - 10:42 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-QueenB@Jul 25th, 2004 - 9:34 pm
I couldn't agree more.. To be honest - in US's case.. Bush doesn't care what they do with the funds as long as they support the war in Iraq and do anything else Bush wants.

Investigative journalists in Jordan would be too vocal about not just spending but other things that have happened or are currently happening.. investigative jounalists here are just glad that KA and QR are young and like to pose for pictures.

It's as though these funds are the U.S. government's payment for collaboration. But, still, why aren't there publicly accessible reports on how this money is being spent within Jordan? I would LOVE to see an honest accounting and some transparency and disclosure. Well, maybe 'love' is too strong a word, especially for information that is likely to make me wretch. [/b][/quote]
Isn't KA and QR building a new palace or something?

[papillon]

Originally posted by QueenB@Jul 25th, 2004 - 10:10 pm
Isn't KA and QR building a new palace or something?

Yup.

[QueenB]

Originally posted by papillon+Jul 26th, 2004 - 11:27 am--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (papillon @ Jul 26th, 2004 - 11:27 am)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-QueenB@Jul 25th, 2004 - 10:10 pm
Isn't KA and QR building a new palace or something?

Yup. [/b][/quote]
Ain't it grand to see our tax dollars at work

[sommone]

Originally posted by QueenB+Jul 27th, 2004 - 7:33 pm--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (QueenB @ Jul 27th, 2004 - 7:33 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Yup.

Ain't it grand to see our tax dollars at work [/b][/quote]
If they are misusing money then it is pathetic, especially since a lot of that money can go towards education at home. I thought you were suppose to take care of home, first? I hope I don't sound selfish, but it makes me mad because there are students in the city that I live in who may not have transportation to and from school because the school board doesn't have the money. I mean I don't mind helping others at all, but take care of home first.

[QueenB]

Originally posted by sommone+Jul 27th, 2004 - 7:41 pm--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (sommone @ Jul 27th, 2004 - 7:41 pm)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Ain't it grand to see our tax dollars at work

It's pathetic, especially since a lot of that money can go towards education at home. I thought you were suppose to take care of home, first? I hope I don't sound selfish, but it makes me mad because there are students in the city that I live in who may not have transportation to and from school because the school board doesn't have the money. I mean I don't mind helping others at all, but take care of home first. [/b][/quote]
Sommone, that's not selfish.. that's how it should be.. There are kids in the US who's schools don't even have text books.. When CP Hamzah goes to Detroit to encourage more trading and work opportunities with Jordan in the auto industry - I wonder how many Americans will lose their jobs if the proposals are accepted.. or how much of the Kuwaiti oil fund money to Jordan could have been better spent than to throw parties by the JRF..
Yes, we should take care of home first.. but the until the Countries giving the JRF funds start to question and take a long hard look at where all that money is going - it will continue to go to palaces and couture, stylists, jewels, publicity, vacations, etc..

[ingenue]

How much does QR spend on her maintenance and personal upkeep? :)

[La la]

That's a billion dollar question.

[wymanda]

"In what may be our last couple weeks together"

What do you mean? I ain't going anywhere!

[Balqis]

I would watch what I say girls. Slander is a serious thing. To allude here and in other threads that aid from abroad is going into the private accounts of the Jordan Royal Family is a serious accusation. To accuse somone in the Arab world of stealing money is very offensive. If you have proof then that's another matter. Speculating in a totally unfounded way with no real evidence to back up what you say is very tricky.
The JRF have their own private wealth, accumulated way before King Abdullah II ascended to the throne. Most families in power in the Middle East have private wealth that has nothing to do with their country's wealth. Some flaunt their wealth in an extravagant way, some keep it very private. I think being descended from the Prophet Mohammed has given the Hashemites a profound sense of duty to the well-being of their subjects. It is part of their code of honour. To say that money meant for the poor is used to line their pockets, well what can I say? It's incredibly scandal-mongering, what a way to sling mud...

And if they are descendent of the prophet Mohamed, shouldn't they be the first to practice the religion (e.g. their women should wear Hijjab). We know how Jordan was created and for what reasons. We know that the country relies dramatically on foreign aids. Don't underestimate people on this board. There are many people who are well read, who have visited the country, who have ties with Jordan...and so on..Given how small the country is and knowing what the "resources" of the country are and knowing "Jordan" is a newly created country and based on other facts and reports, It is obvious from the way the family spends money that it is beyond its so called private wealth to be living the way they do now...

[Balqis]

Originally Posted by Humble

And if they are descendent of the prophet Mohamed, shouldn't they be the first to practice the religion (e.g. their women should wear Hijjab). We know how Jordan was created and for what reasons. We know that the country relies dramatically on foreign aids. Don't underestimate people on this board. There are many people who are well read, who have visited the country, who have ties with Jordan...and so on..Given how small the country is and knowing what the "resources" of the country are and knowing "Jordan" is a newly created country and based on other facts and reports, It is obvious from the way the family spends money that it is beyond its so called private wealth to be living the way they do now...

The wearing of hijab is a totally diferent matter, Humble. Let's not get sidetracked.
In regards to the topic, do you have proof, any real evidence for these serious allegations?????? No? So stick with what you know you can prove, which is nil. I am sick of people spreading lies. Freedom of speech does NOT equal slander.

[shelley]

[quote=Humble]And if they are descendent of the prophet Mohamed, shouldn't they be the first to practice the religion (e.g. their women should wear Hijjab).

The question of Hijab, as so many other things in Islam, is I believe, a question of interpretation - the only really black and white 'givens' are the '5 pillars of faith' - affirming that there is only one God, accepting the Kalma or Shahada ; fasting, giving of alms, pilgrimage to Mecca ( and even this last is for those who are able - in other words, healthwise or fianancially) There are many who intrepret hijab as a modest non provocotive dress style for both men and women. Even in Morocco, where the Royal Family is by and large more traditional in its day to day life than the Jordanian, the ladies do not cover their head in public.

Originally Posted by Balqis

The wearing of hijab is a totally diferent matter, Humble. Let's not get sidetracked.
In regards to the topic, do you have proof, any real evidence for these serious allegations?????? No? So stick with what you know you can prove, which is nil. I am sick of people spreading lies. Freedom of speech does NOT equal slander.

right?!!! you convinced me, Rania....hahahaha...

[Balqis]

Originally Posted by Humble

right?!!! you convinced me, Rania....hahahaha...

Umm...I guess you have nothing intelligent to come back with, except more nonsense?