By Mohammad Ghazal

AMMAN - Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Sunday honoured the 10 Ahel Al Himmeh winners in a ceremony at the Roman Amphitheatre in downtown Amman.

“You can find a lot of people who are Ahel Al Himmeh, they are all over Jordan. The final nominees, who are with us tonight, represent thousands of Jordanians who work to help others, whether as individuals, groups or associations, bringing together volunteers to strengthen their community,” the Queen said in her address at the televised celebration, which recognised the efforts of Jordanians who created positive and lasting change in their communities.

Her Majesty launched the Queen Rania Award for Community Champion in March to celebrate the 10th anniversary of King Abdullah’s accession to the Throne.

The initiative received 45,000 nominations from across the country, and the award selection committee short-listed 30 finalists one of whom was disqualified after it was discovered that the information leading to his nomination was inaccurate. Starting June 10, the public voted for the 10 winners through their mobile phones, sending more than 600,000 SMSs.

Queen Rania commended the finalists yesterday for the commitment demonstrated in uplifting their communities, expressing hope that their hard work and valiant efforts would inspire others to follow suit.

“All of you carry this responsibility, because at the root of good citizenship lies the idea that we can all surpass ourselves when we put our minds to it. We hope that your generosity will never cease, that your selflessness will never end, because you are the reason we launched Ahel Al Himmeh,” she told the more than 3,000 invitees gathered for the occasion.

They included a number of dignitaries, members of the Royal family, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, Senate President Zeid Rifai, Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, ministers, senators and members of the Ahel Al Himmeh selection committee and thousands of citizens who held Jordanian flags and chanted nationals songs.

Her Majesty also pointed out that this spirit of dedication, compassion and chivalry is deeply entrenched in the national ethos, forming an integral part of Jordanian heritage, which is renewed with each generation.

“This sense of selflessness and commitment is proudly rooted in our ancestry; it has been passed on through generations; it is engraved in the rocks of Petra; it is as clear as a flag on a mountain; it is carried high on the backs of camels; it is this spirit that lights up the eyes of those who are strong and generous; and it rests on their shoulders. The Ahel Al Himmeh winners carry that sense of responsibility like a bedouin man carries his traditional headdress, with pride and dignity,” Queen Rania commented.

Commending His Majesty’s commitment in investing in the people of Jordan and his continuation of King Hussein’s legacy, she added: “The most valuable gift that a leader can give his people is to empower them so that they can chart their own courses and become active members and leaders in their own societies.”

“You gave us the will, energy and power to strive for the best, to learn more, to improve ourselves, both men and women equally, and I Rania Al Abdullah will do my best as your first foot soldier,” she concluded.

The 10 Ahel Al Himmeh winners will each receive JD30,000 in support of their cause, as well as 10 university scholarships in each of their names.

In a synchronised performance that anticipated the announcement of the 10 winners at yesterday’s award ceremony, the Jordan Armed Forces band created a clattering of beats, which accompanied the Misk, Jaloudi and Hanouneh dance troupes in a choreographed dabke, followed by live percussion and traditional bagpipers.

As Circassian dancers performed gracious patterns and forms, the colourful sequence of amber, indigo and magenta reflecting on the ancient colonnade, brought the entire Roman Theatre to life.

A “hip hop” routine that included acrobatic moves then set the tone for a more contemporary performance, which was followed by Omar Abdullat’s “Keif Al Himmeh” song.