A fitting recognition

Honouring HRH Prince Raad at a ceremony last week attended by His Majesty King Abdullah and HRH Prince Feisal for his services to people with disabilities was a timely and fitting recognition of his deep devotion and affection to people with disabilities. 

For those who are fortunate to have known Prince Raad, he is about the kindest and most humble person one could meet. Prince Raad could have chosen so many other spectacular missions to devote his life to but had chosen instead a most humble humanitarian service for people who are often forgotten and even sometimes discarded in everyday life. 

Prince Raad deliberately chose a mission in life devoted to a group of vulnerable people who are often marginalised or disadvantaged, a mission that many people of lesser stature would shun away from in favour of a more news making function. 

I got to know Prince Raad back in the early 60s when I had worked at the Royal Palace as assistant to the chief of royal protocol. He was then kind and humble as he continued to be when he retired from being the president of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD) not too long ago. 

The face of Prince Raad almost always wore a smile, the kind that showed kindness and gentleness. I have often told myself if only the world has more person of power with his kindness and nature it would be a better place to live in. 

Even though Prince Raad is no longer officially serving as the head of the HCD his contributions to this noble cause must be catching and infectious by now as other people have picked up where he has left off to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities. 

As a matter of fact, it is not only persons with disabilities who will miss his services but also all those who are like minded. Now, thanks to the persistence of Prince Raad, people with disabilities are recognised, appreciated and empowered. Their contributions to the country are now well promoted and protected. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that entered into force on May 3, 2008 after the UN General Assembly had adopted a resolution on it on December 13, 2006 was made possible by the relentless behind the scenes efforts of the Prince. 

Jordan's ratification of this milestone international human rights instrument was made possible due to the efforts and accommodation of Prince Raad. The UN is due bound to also honour him and recognise his invaluable efforts for the cause of people with disabilities. This much the UN secretary general owes him.