King Abdullah & Queen Rania Current Events 4: July 9-August 30, 2005

[Little_star]

KING ABDULLAH AND HIS FAMILY WATCH EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION AT ARAB GAMES
Original caption: AMM06:SPORT-ARAB:AMMAN,20AUG99 - Jordan's King Abdullah and his wife Queen Rania smile with their daughter, Princess Eyman and son Prince Hussein, August 20. The Jordanian royal family were watching the equestrian competitions at al-Hussein Sport City in Amman. aj/Photo by Ali Jarekji REUTERS

 

[Little_star]

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[haanmr]

old picture for queen rania and her mother

 

[maryshawn]

I thought that story was hysterical and appreciated QN sharing it in her book. Yes, in China, she "conspired" with the individual filling up her glass so it appeared she was drinking the wine or alcoholic beverage....but it was water! And as she kept drinking, the eyes of her hosts started to glaze over at her ability to consume so much "alcohol." No, I've read interviews with and articles about QR and QN and they politely accept a wine glass for toasting purposes but it is filled with juice or water. They're just being mannerly and showing respect for their hosts.

yeah - i don't think we can actually say for sure what the drink is...i remember someone posted a while back that when queen noor was at a dinner in china or japan (i can't remember which) she filled her wine glass with water and it was so discreet that even her chinese hosts that she was drinking wine. the result was that queen noor kept on asking for refills and the chinese hosts admired her a lot because apparently for her stamina.

we can't judge rania just like this - we have to look at what's concrete...and humans can't do that...what matters is what is in her heart and i for one have no way of looking there...so let's leave her be...let's criticize her policies and actions but not her --- we have no way of knowing her intentions.

 

[Humera]

I thought that story was hysterical and appreciated QN sharing it in her book. Yes, in China, she "conspired" with the individual filling up her glass so it appeared she was drinking the wine or alcoholic beverage....but it was water! And as she kept drinking, the eyes of her hosts started to glaze over at her ability to consume so much "alcohol." No, I've read interviews with and articles about QR and QN and they politely accept a wine glass for toasting purposes but it is filled with juice or water. They're just being mannerly and showing respect for their hosts.

There's a similar story about President Musharraf of Pakistan. Quite a while back, there was a picture of him and his wife holding wine glasses and toasting their host on a state visit to an east asian nation (cant remember which one). And some people were shocked and assumed right away that the president and the first lady were drinking alcohol. But as it turned out, like you've said maryshawn, they merely used the wine filled glasses to toast their host. They never drank from it. Muslim heads of state do that all the time on visits to non-Muslim nations. Following the dictates of one's religion doesnt mean you cant also respect your hosts.
I've also heard that Queen Elizabeth doesnt always drink from her glass of wine when she toasts someone, otherwise she'd be pretty tipsy most of the time.

I also agree with madonna's comment. Its amazing how some people can take a look at one picture and self-righteously pronounce others to be bad Muslims and question their faith and integrity. Just because they dont fit our view of what a good, moral Muslim is. How can we possibly judge something so intangible as what is in someone's heart? Some of the worst people I know have have all the appearance of a good Muslim. People who use religion to sanctimoniously condemn others should take a good look at themselves first.

 

[houri]

I wonder , isn't there people from to two sides ( the host and the guest ) there jobe is to arrange all what will happen through the meeting especially if they from different religion or culture I mean to avoid the embarrassing things that could happen and make the tow side feel comfortable , I mean maybe Queen Rania find her self in embarrassing moment like ( holding wine glasses and toasting their host ) .

 

[Reina]

But wouldn't it look kind of weird if a toast was made and QR was holding a cup? Maybe they coudl put orange juice in it instead to distinguish it from wine.

 

[houri]

But wouldn't it look kind of weird if a toast was made and QR was holding a cup? Maybe they coudl put orange juice in it instead to distinguish it from wine.

I totaly agree , I even think that the host will not mind if the Queen did ask for it .

 

[madonna23]

I totaly agree , I even think that the host will not mind if the Queen did ask for it .

but these things are much easier said than done... i think that there are a lot of diplomatic practices that --- however trivial or irrelevant they may seem to us --- rania and any other first lady have to follow. so we can't really pass judgements on her or criticize her for this point because we don't know the whole story. she may not be able to ask for the glass to be filled with juice or something else because maybe in that country it is seen as an insult. i'm just saying that it is easy for us to criticize beause we have never been in that situation - at least i never have -... it's only when we've been in the same situation or know the whole story that we can begin to understand a person.

 

[madonna23]

thank you for the picture haanmr

i think rania looks more like her father than her mother... what do you guys think?

 

[Reina]

I agree. I was just pointing out how weird a cup would be. But I don't think QR holdinga wine cup, even if filled w/ wine is a big deal. As long as she doesn't drink it.

 

[Humera]

but these things are much easier said than done... i think that there are a lot of diplomatic practices that --- however trivial or irrelevant they may seem to us --- rania and any other first lady have to follow. so we can't really pass judgements on her or criticize her for this point because we don't know the whole story. she may not be able to ask for the glass to be filled with juice or something else because maybe in that country it is seen as an insult. i'm just saying that it is easy for us to criticize beause we have never been in that situation - at least i never have -... it's only when we've been in the same situation or know the whole story that we can begin to understand a person.

That's true. Every situation and country is different. In some places it is considered very rude to refuse food or drink. In Rania's case she has a relgious reason which her hosts wouldn't mind and would be satisfied with her holding the wine glass during the toast without her actually having to drink the wine. While in other places her hosts might be more flexible and wouldn't mind her using a glass of water or juice.

In this pic, during the state visit to London, both Rania and Abdullah are holding glasses of water, unlike their host who's holding a wine glass. (Pic from UPPA)

 

[houri]

but these things are much easier said than done... i think that there are a lot of diplomatic practices that --- however trivial or irrelevant they may seem to us --- rania and any other first lady have to follow. so we can't really pass judgements on her or criticize her for this point because we don't know the whole story. she may not be able to ask for the glass to be filled with juice or something else because maybe in that country it is seen as an insult. i'm just saying that it is easy for us to criticize beause we have never been in that situation - at least i never have -... it's only when we've been in the same situation or know the whole story that we can begin to understand a person.

I am not sure that my words hold criticize or judgements on the Queen , I am just think she is smart women can find ways to avoid embarrassment situations .

 

[Citizen2005]

but these things are much easier said than done... i think that there are a lot of diplomatic practices that --- however trivial or irrelevant they may seem to us --- rania and any other first lady have to follow. so we can't really pass judgements on her or criticize her for this point because we don't know the whole story. she may not be able to ask for the glass to be filled with juice or something else because maybe in that country it is seen as an insult. i'm just saying that it is easy for us to criticize beause we have never been in that situation - at least i never have -... it's only when we've been in the same situation or know the whole story that we can begin to understand a person.

True...But the Jordanian Palace or the Jordanian Foreign Affairs minister could have coordinated with that country that the queen does not take any alcohol drink. This would have taken care of it.. When planning for a trip, royals either hosts or guests through their specific channels usually inform about their preferences ahead of time to avoid any diplomatic clashes....In fact, many Muslim leaders do that...But maybe she likes to drink or may be she did not inform ahead of time...knowing her publicity machine, one would think she is aware of these things and that there is going to be wine toasting .. besides, she has been to too many events and she knows what it is going to be served...If she wanted to be carefull, she could have been...Again, we dont know whether it is OK with her to drink or she did not inform her preferences thus she was trapped in that situation....

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

But wouldn't it look kind of weird if a toast was made and QR was holding a cup? Maybe they coudl put orange juice in it instead to distinguish it from wine.

Making a toast is not accepted in Islam either,lol.
to sum it all up,Rania cud have asked for Orange juice to be put in her "wine glasses" even if there was wine in the glass she "probably " wud not have drank it,but there's no need for her to make a toast and hit her glass with sm1 elses' this is what's haram,so she cud have left her glass on the table than holding it up like that,whether it was Orange juice or Wine in it!

Does anyone get my point?! (BTW in the protocol,when the guest(s) is/are from a Muslim country wine isn't usually served UNLESS it's well known that the guest does in fact drink wine in public)...So what was in her glass may not be wine,but again the wrong thing she did was her holdin her glass up like that!

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

True...But the Jordanian Palace or the Jordanian Foreign Affairs minister could have coordinated with that country that the queen does not take any alcohol drink. This would have taken care of it.. When planning for a trip, royals either hosts or guests through their specific channels usually inform about their preferences ahead of time to avoid any diplomatic clashes....In fact, many Muslim leaders do that...But maybe she likes to drink or may be she did not inform ahead of time...knowing her publicity machine, one would think she is aware of these things and that there is going to be wine toasting .. besides, she has been to too many events and she knows what it is going to be served...If she wanted to be carefull, she could have been...Again, we dont know whether it is OK with her to drink or she did not inform her preferences thus she was trapped in that situation....

Yes ur right too,usually the chief of the ROyal court manages to coordinate with the hosting country.

 

[shelley]

Making a toast is not accepted in Islam either!

Please can I put in my two cents for what it is worth. Toasting as far as I have been told is not specifically mentioned one way or another in Islam. It is simply a tradition of honouring a guest. Many countries all over the world follow the practice at formal gatherings, and not just in the west, but in the Far East as well, where toasts ( and yes, usually in alcholhol) are de rigeur. I know that formal, ie governmental, be they republics or monarchies, dinners in many Muslim countries include toasts, in juice usually. I know this is definitely so in Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, , and Iran in the days of the Shah. I don't know what happens now. But these are all Muslim countries where the formal dinners would be non totally non alcoholic. Eventually this practice may well be discontinued as people become, I think unfortunately, more chauvinistic, but for the moment it continues. Surely, it cannot have been adopted and gone on for so long and be against Islamic teachings.

 

[rchainho]

http://www.hellomagazine.com/travel/2005/08/04/queenrania/

King Abdullah of Jordan and his wife Queen Rania are the latest high-profile visitors to hit the increasingly popular shores of Croatia.
Not long before they arrived, royal watchers spotted not one, but two luxury yachts often used by the couple – the 177ft Sarafsa and the 137ft Faribana – awaiting the king and queen's arrival in the port city of Split.

 

[rchainho]

http://www.terra.net.lb/wp/Articles/DesktopArticle.aspx?ArticleID=237708&ChannelId=4

Jordan's king says Israel must follow up Gaza pulloutAugust 5, 2005javascript:popup()

Jordan's King Abdullah II said that Israel must follow up its pullout from the Gaza Strip with a similar withdrawal from the West Bank to ensure the Palestinians can establish a future state.

 

[rchainho]

http://www.jordantimes.com/fri/homenews/homenews1.htm

Pullout coordination key — King

Jewish extremist teen shoots dead 4 Arab Israelis Agence France-Presse

HIS MAJESTY KING Abdullah said Thursday that Israel must follow up its pullout from the Gaza Strip with a similar withdrawal from the West Bank to ensure the Palestinians can establish a future state.

 

[Alicky]

Thank you so much for that last article!!

 

[amina1]

Some nice ones!
http://www.geocities.com/jordanroyals/magazines/2004-ivf.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/abdraniajordan/abdullah01/kaqrmaroon.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/abdraniajordan/abdullah01/royalkaqr07.jpgNew Tiara?

http://www.geocities.com/abdraniajordan/abdullah02/kq2004-1.jpg

 

[polop]

But wouldn't it look kind of weird if a toast was made and QR was holding a cup? Maybe they coudl put orange juice in it instead to distinguish it from wine.

With all due and respect, Queen Rania really shouldn't be concerned with what looks "weird" or not, she should be concerned with what's right and wrong.Her going to these kind of places dressing like every body else, acting like everybody else and now eating like everyone else,really doesn't make her respected woman in the Muslim world.She should be her own person, proud to be a Jordanian Muslim, but it seems like she is not.Quite honestly, if she dyed her hair blonde,you couldn't tell her apart from other queens.(which is a bad thing.)At a time, when Muslims are being given a bad name because of some people, she should stand out and defend us,not blend in with the crowd.(All of this is my opinion. )

 

[suria]

epa000498536 Jordan's King Abdullah II (R) accompanied with his halh brother Prince Ali ibn Hussein upon their arrival at the Jordanian city of Ma'an 200 Km south of Jordanian Capital, Amman on Sunday 07 August 2005, The King's visits to the country's largest city in south, where thousands of residents lined the streets to welcome the monarch is the largest public display of support since he assumed power in 1999. EPA/JAMAL NASRALLAH

and this one too , from addustour newspaper

 

[sommone]

I never realized Abdullah was so much shorter than Ali. Looks like Ali's growing a beard.

 

[jordan_frist]

picKing Abdullah with Mahmoud Abbas

anyone notice that the jordanian flag is in the opposite direction?

i guess they need to fire whoever is in charge of wardrobe...hehe

 

[suria]

I never realized Abdullah was so much shorter than Ali. Looks like Ali's growing a beard.

yes PA is taller than KA maybe by 6 cm , i wonder what is PA's hight and weight

i like the bear on him , he is so cute with it

 

[Little_star]

"With all due and respect, Queen Rania really shouldn't be concerned with what looks "weird" or not"

Everyone and anyone who is in the public eye has to be concerned about what "looks" right. Especially someone as high-ranking as Rania.

"Her going to these kind of places dressing like every body else, acting like everybody else and now eating like everyone else,really doesn't make her respected woman in the Muslim world"

There are plenty of muslims who like and respect Rania, you certainly aren't the spokesperson for the "Muslim World".

"At a time, when Muslims are being given a bad name because of some people, she should stand out and defend us,not blend in with the crowd.(All of this is my opinion. )"

I take it you've missed her interviews in which she's spoken out against terrorism. Personally I find it incomprehensible that people think Rania is a bad role model when you look at the current political climate.

 

[Alicky]

I didn't realize Ali's hair was getting so thin at the top there.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

picKing Abdullah with Mahmoud Abbas

anyone notice that the jordanian flag is in the opposite direction?

i guess they need to fire whoever is in charge of wardrobe...hehe

Oh my God,I never noticed...This is Very funny,Didn't any of his advisors or ministers notice that? Didn't HE notice that? WOW!
I'm in Shock!!