'International event for everyone'
Jordan Culture Night draws 200 people
Josh Letner
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Campus Life
Although there are only three Jordanian students enrolled at PSU, the turnout for Jordanian Cultural Night at the Campus Methodist Center was nearly 200. Students of various nations and backgrounds came together to learn about a nation that rests at the crossroads of human civilization and U.S. foreign policy.
Guests at the event were treated to a sampling of Jordanian cuisine, as well as a cultural presentation on the modern Kingdom of Jordan.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located at the heart of the Middle East. It shares a border with Israel, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Ramiz Haddadin, graduate student in communication, says that because of Jordan's location, many Americans may already have misconceptions about it and its people.
"We try the best that we can to bring our culture to people and to change the misconceptions about Middle Eastern cultures, and we try to persuade them not to listen to mass media because they give you the wrong image about people," Haddadin said.
Jordan has been ruled by many civilizations throughout its history, including the Assyrians, Judeans, Babylonians, Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Turks and the British, before earning its independence in 1946.
Because of its rich history, Jordan is home to archaeological sites from many different cultures, including the ancient city of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
Jordan is considered to be a moderate Arab state with close ties to the U.S. and the European Union. Jordan is also one of only two Arab nations that have diplomatic relations with Israel, the other is Egypt, and was a founding member of the Arab League.
The government of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Abdullah II. Most of the population is Sunni Muslim (92%), but Jordan also has a Christian population (6%), as well as a small population of Druze and Shia Muslims (2%).
Rohan Ratnapal, graduate student in communication, says that as a kid growing up in India, his first exposure to Jordanian culture came from a postage stamp.
Guests at the event were treated to a sampling of Jordanian cuisine, as well as a cultural presentation on the modern Kingdom of Jordan.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located at the heart of the Middle East. It shares a border with Israel, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Ramiz Haddadin, graduate student in communication, says that because of Jordan's location, many Americans may already have misconceptions about it and its people.
"We try the best that we can to bring our culture to people and to change the misconceptions about Middle Eastern cultures, and we try to persuade them not to listen to mass media because they give you the wrong image about people," Haddadin said.
Jordan has been ruled by many civilizations throughout its history, including the Assyrians, Judeans, Babylonians, Egyptians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Turks and the British, before earning its independence in 1946.
Because of its rich history, Jordan is home to archaeological sites from many different cultures, including the ancient city of Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.
Jordan is considered to be a moderate Arab state with close ties to the U.S. and the European Union. Jordan is also one of only two Arab nations that have diplomatic relations with Israel, the other is Egypt, and was a founding member of the Arab League.
The government of Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Abdullah II. Most of the population is Sunni Muslim (92%), but Jordan also has a Christian population (6%), as well as a small population of Druze and Shia Muslims (2%).
Rohan Ratnapal, graduate student in communication, says that as a kid growing up in India, his first exposure to Jordanian culture came from a postage stamp.
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Dima Goussous
posted 11/21/09 @ 3:24 AM CST
Jordan is so proud of you Ramiz :) way to go!
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