Several Orthodox Club members oppose possible relocation

AMMAN — Several members of the Orthodox Club are opposed to a decision by board members to sell its Abdoun premises and move near the Airport Road.

The Orthodox Club, originally founded in the Palestinian city of Jaffa, was established in Amman when its members fled to the Kingdom in 1948, and cooperated with residents to open a branch in Jordan. 

In 1952, the club was located near the 3rd Circle in the capital, and nearly 20 years later, it moved to Abdoun.

Nimeh Lahham, a member of the club’s general assembly, said the Orthodox Club became a trademark in Abdoun, where most of its members reside. 

“The club was sold in the 1970s after ensuring it would still have the same values and standards and that the administration would maintain the service and activities that engage people with society,” Lahham told The Jordan Times in a phone interview this week.

“We consider the Orthodox Club more than just a place to see people; it has a sentimental value for its members,” the member, who has been an activist at the club since the 1960s, said.

There are around 11,000 members at the club, Lahham added.

“It is a family destination, it has football, basketball and tennis courts, with wide spaces for children.”

He noted that to sell the property, at least 75 per cent of its total members have to agree to the decision; otherwise, it cannot be sold. 

“It is difficult to have more than two thirds of the members agree to the decision. The administration of the club suggested the same thing two years ago and the members refused to agree,” Lahham said.

He continued: “Even if the members who back the decision showed us studies and numbers, we cannot accept changing the location of the club. Abdoun is a good location and it is close to many destinations.”

Lahham said the Orthodox Club's current venue extends over around 32.5 dunums, and it will be sold for JD28 million. 

Other members stressed the security consideration tied to the current location.

Ghazi Kawar, another general assembly member, said the Abdoun location is surrounded by embassies and security forces, stressing the importance of safety when it comes to a club for children and families.

Another member, Nuha Musallam, said a large percentage of the club members are parents of children at the National Orthodox School.  

“As members and parents, we find the Orthodox Club in the centre of the city, where we can guarantee the safety of our children,” she told The Jordan Times.

“We cannot accept the new location as it is in a remote area, where we cannot leave our children for late hours.”

Musallam added that many parents tend to drive their children to the club in summer from early morning hours and pick them up at night, assured that they are in a safe place.

Current membership fees for adults amount to JD100 and JD70 for children, she said, expecting the fee to rise as the location changes.

Club Chairman Micheal Sayegh, Vice President Rafiq Hamarneh and other board members refused to comment on the decision despite several attempts by The Jordan Times. Members and area residents are planning a sit-in on Friday to protest against the decision, according to club members.

Lahham said a general assembly meeting to discuss the move, which was scheduled for Saturday, was cancelled, noting that the cancellation requires the approval of 25 per cent of the total club members.