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Dealing with a serious issue

Mar 01,2014 - Last updated at Mar 01,2014

The heart of the matter for all those troubled by the notions of “tawteen” (granting citizenship to Palestinians) or turning Jordan into the homeland for the Palestinians (watan al badeel) is the shared perspective that many Jordanian citizens of Palestinian origin are not “true” Jordanians and threaten the original Jordanian identity by their sheer numbers.

There must come a time when this issue is tackled head on, to decide once and for all the determinants of Jordanian citizenship and identity, so that the fears and anxieties of some could be laid to rest.

To be sure, there are reasons for this simmering crisis. While some so-called hardline Jordanians refuse to recognise “new Jordanians” as genuine fellow compatriots who are entitled to equal treatment, there are also some on the other side who naturally identify themselves by their Palestinian roots even though they were born and lived in Jordan for decades and carry Jordanian citizenship.

This state of affairs has created “schizophrenic” identities for some who flip-flop between their new identity and nationality and their original identity and nationality.

These mixed identities and loyalties have in turn reinforced the “hardliners” on both sides of the fence and put them on a collision course.

What hardliners on both sides are in effect doing is to reinforce hostility.

The time of reckoning has therefore arrived. The issue of citizenship and identity calls for a fresh look with a view to determining their contents and parameters, not only by revisiting existing legislation but also by the introduction of a concerted campaign to instil in “Jordanians” a true sense of identity and citizenship.

Admittedly, this is easier said than done, but the effort must begin to take “all” Jordanians to safer grounds.

Left unattended to, this identity crisis could provide the basis for “fitneh”, something His Majesty King Abdullah alluded to when meeting with heads of all branches of government last week.

Combating this “fitneh” should top all our national priorities, and deserves the collective care and undivided attention of all of us living on Jordanian soil.

I am sure there are people of goodwill on both sides of the fence who do know where to start to stop sedition.

Not tackling this crisis would only exacerbate tensions in the country and undermine its security and stability.

Hopefully respect for the long-term security and stability in the country will prompt all stakeholders to come up with a solution that will put an end to this current state of internal tension and division.

Simply put, this challenge cannot be pushed under the rug any longer. It must be first recognised, admitted and then dealt with head on.

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