Jordanians agree on love for mothers, differ on need for special day

AMMAN — For the past few days leading to Mother’s Day, marked Friday, shopkeepers displayed everything that might be a good present to mothers, from jewellery, clothes, home and kitchen items to traditional sweets.  

Classic and new songs for mothers were playing in shopping centres and downtown Amman, and promotion pamphlets were found at almost every doorway, announcing discounts on a huge variety of commodities that fit for the “most loved among all loved ones” as mothers are called in Arab culture. 

However, the occasion was coupled with the same-old debate within the community whether an Eastern, traditional society like Jordan needs to celebrate mothers, who are socially and religiously held in the highest esteem and should always be taken care of, rather than be remembered one day in the year.

Traditionally, Jordanians either embrace or reject Mother’s Day, but a trend has been rising over the past years, while a third group still believes the occasion is tailored for industrial, materialistic Western societies, but “why not share it?”

Hanna Dababneh, an employee at an insurance company, and Anas Khouly, a salesman, belong to the first category.

In fact, Khouly said it was his mother who raised them to ignore such an occasion and would not accept presents on this particular day.  

Saif Awamleh is more open up to “imported habits”. The private sector employee said although he does not believe in reducing love for mothers to Mother’s Day, he will celebrate it. 

“As a Muslim, we only have two occasions to celebrate which are Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. However, I will bring a present to my mother because all the neighbours celebrate it and I do not want to make her sad,” he added. 

Abeer Asfour, advised young people not to miss this  “beautiful” day, voicing sympathy with mothers who expect their children to do something special for them and they fail to meet expectations, and those whose children are too far or too busy to share the occasion with them. 

Jacqueline Ramahi, a public sector employee, said there is a unique atmosphere on this day that encourages her to celebrate it. 

“I feel special not only because I celebrate the event with my mother, but also I celebrate it with my two daughters and grandchild,” she added.

Ramahi was planning to buy the sweets for all, while Ibrahim Dababneh wanted something special that makes his mother, “the most important member of my family”, feel special: gold.  

Regardless of what the present is, and whether it is bought for this occasion or at any time of the year, Jordanians believe that respecting their mothers is a religious as well as social duty. They know that society holds in high esteem those who take good care of their parents, a value that has been passed from one generation to the next ever since.