Interview with His Majesty King Abdullah II
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Your Majesty, the Iraqis need every good word and deed that emanates from their brothers in the Islamic and Arab nations and you have always expressed optimism towards the future of Jordanian-Iraqi relations and the course of events. Do you remain optimistic and hopeful in spite of all that has transpired in terms of violence, terrorism and the diminished security, or are we at the point of no return?
King Abdullah: When eight million Iraqis voted in parliamentary elections, they were doing so out of faith and conviction in the political process, rejection of violence and terrorism and eagerness to build a free independent and democratic Iraq, free of external interference. This, along with the fact that the Iraqis are an aware people who know that Iraq has no future except through the renunciation of violence strengthens our conviction that the majority of Iraqis reject terrorism and condemn calls for fitna and the division that have sought to incite among the one people. Despite all their desperate attempts, Iraqis have shown great responsibility and have not heeded the calls for fitna and division. I don't think we have reached a point of no return in Iraq, as long as the majority of Iraqis want peace and believe in a strong united Iraq. We say to our Iraqi brothers: you are not alone, your Arab and Muslim brethren and your friends in the world stand by you and support your vision for a united, stable and secure Iraq.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: After more than a year after the release of the Amman Message that was aimed at promoting peace and moderation, we are on the door step of another initiative by Your Majesty. Have these initiatives worked and how can they be given more political, national and social effectiveness?
King Abdullah: The Amman Message formed a launch pad towards reinstituting and fostering the values of tolerance, centrism and moderation. It also elucidated the true essence of Islam and its relationship with the other monotheistic religions. This initiative was undertaken because we felt that the Islamic message of tolerance was being subjected to a fierce and unjust attack from some in the West who do not understand Islam's essence and others who claim to be associated with Islam and hide behind Islam to commit irresponsible deeds. Islam has called for treating others as you would like to be treated and encourages tolerance, forgiveness and respect for agreements and charters. It forbids treason and duplicity. Islam elevates life and forbids attacking innocent civilians. The Amman Message was crucial to face the false claims of extremists and is a step towards giving moderate Islam the voice and global stature that it deserves.
In July 2005, we built on the Amman Message through the convening of the International Islamic Conference which was another step towards reasserting the points that unite all Muslims and turning to others with a balanced and advanced discourse. The conference was attended by 180 Muslim scholars from 45 countries. They issued a declaration signed by all participants which was based on fatwas issued by 20 leading Muslim scholars in the world. This declaration condemned [the practice of] takfir [calling others apostates] that extremists use to justify violence. It also endorsed the legitimacy of all Islamic schools of jurisprudence, Sunni, Shia and Ibadi and identified common principles and beliefs among them. Finally, it said no one may issue a fatwa without the requisite personal qualifications which each school of jurisprudence defines. It deems illegitimate fatwas that justify terrorism, saying that they contravene Sharia and violate Islam's basic immutable principles. We are thoroughly convinced that these initiatives will contribute to laying the foundation of a new era that puts an end to terrorist practices and extremist thought, whose evil has touched everyone in the region and the world.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Iraq has historic, diverse and deep relations with the kingdom, it's people and leadership. Are you satisfied in that regard with the Arab and Islamic role to help Iraq out of its crisis or is there some concern that Iraq, God forbid, is slipping into civil war and strife and does that concern you?
King Abdullah: Our relations with Iraq historically have been friendly and close. Families that have roots in Iraq or vice versa, all are factors that foster the strength of Jordanian Iraqi relations. We are constantly working to strengthen these relations and nurture them to the point that they will meet the aspirations of both nations for more cooperation. The truth is that we are not happy with the level of Arab and Islamic contribution in Iraq, and we aspire for a much greater Arab contribution to Iraq. It is unreasonable that Arab states do not have ambassadors in Iraq. For this reason, I directed the government to appoint a Jordanian ambassador to Baghdad, which it did. However, due to the attack on our embassy there and the abduction of one of our embassy staff the dispatch of the ambassador to Baghdad has been delayed. We have called on more than one occasion on our Arab and Muslim brother to effectively contribute to helping Iraq overcome its current crisis and build a new Iraq. We hope that the Arab League would continue its role in Iraq and its efforts to unify Iraqis in order to avert any attempts to instigate fitna and division among the one people.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: How do you evaluate efforts to secure border crossings between Iraq and Jordan to prevent the infiltration of terrorism from and to Iraq?
King Abdullah: As you know, our borders with Iraq are long. Jordan on its part controls its borders to ensure that no groups or persons cross these areas to carry out actions that undermine the security and stability of Iraq. It does so in a manner that does not compromise the services and facilities we offer to our Iraqi brothers. To ensure the comfort of travellers to and from Iraq as well as ensure the non-infiltration of terrorists into Jordan, the government is currently working on building a modern border centre at a cost of JD60m. As for the issue of terrorism I would like to stress again that Jordanian borders with Iraq have always been calm. It's never been recorded that militant groups have entered Iraq through Jordan. Jordan, throughout its long history, has never been a source of terrorism or an incubator of terrorism. On the contrary, we are targets of terrorists and victims of their crimes that have reached innocent people. In spite of that, we are not deterred from continuing to fight them and challenge their evil takfiri thought that negatively affect all Muslims.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Is takfiri terrorism a product of the current political environment? Or do you see that it is a passing phenomenon in Islamic and Arab history that can be fought and defeated? If this is so, how does Your Majesty see how takfiris and terrorism can be defeated?
King Abdullah: I see takfiri thought as new to our lives and history. Even if historically there have been cases in which some groups deviated from the consensus of the umma, their thought was defeated when confronted with proper Islam and Muslim consensus rejecting the ideologies of these groups. In this unstable political environment and the increased degree of conflict and the deepening state of despair and frustration in the absence of a just political solution, takfiri thought found feeding ground for its aims that are alien to true Islamic ethics and values. Hence, comes the important role that we play in explaining the true spirit of Islam and fostering principles of moderation centrism, which exposes the falseness of the claims and fatwas of extremists. As long as we succeed in spreading the culture of tolerance and moderation and acceptance of others, we can isolate and defeat these deviant and dangerous phenomena.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Your aim, through the Iraqi Islamic Reconciliation Conference initiative, which was postponed upon an Iraqi request, is to end the violence and foster the unity and stability of Iraq. Can an agreement from Islamists of all sects on the elements of reconciliation end violence, or is this one of many components -- Iraqi, regional and Islamic circles - necessary to end violence?
King Abdullah: Our objective in convening this conference was to reach a religious reconciliation based on solid and common religious ideology that strengthens the unity of the Iraqi people and that contributes towards the achievement of a political solution that ultimately would relieve Iraq of its state of violence, foster its unity and stability and redirect the energy of the Iraqis to build a new Iraq whose people enjoy security and a better life. His Excellency the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani telephoned and asked me to postpone the conference in order to ensure the participation of a large number of Iraqi religious leaders, who are now preoccupied with the current negotiations on forming a government. I hope these discussions result in creating positive chances for reconciliation. We were keen to invite religious leaders to Amman out of our belief that without reaching a religious agreement first, there can be no political solution to the violence and conflict that continues to worry us as it does all the Iraqi people. It is in the interest of everyone in the region that security and stability prevail in Iraq and that Iraq plays a vital and effective role on the regional and international scenes.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: There is a strong feeling among Iraqis that Arabs and Muslims have abandoned them, or that perhaps they have not understood the organic problems of Iraq to the extent that they are able to listen to them and help them before coordinating to overcome this crisis. Iraqis also fear that their country is being isolated from the Arab-Islamic environment, a fear that has arisen because of doubt and misunderstanding. What message do you have for the Iraqis to assure them and encourage them to relinquish these fears and strengthen Arab Islamic bonds as a way out of this crisis?
King Abdullah: My message to the Iraqis is: we are with you and we stand by you. Your success is our success. And failure, God forbid, will hurt us all. Iraq is the security valve for Arabs and the region. There can be no security and stability as long as the Iraqi wound bleeds. We would like to assure the Iraqis that your Jordanian and Arab brothers are pained by the blood that is being shed and by what they see happening in Iraq, a country that has enriched humanity with its ancient civilisation. Because of this, we are using all available means to help you overcome this situation, and we call on religious authorities, ulama and political and tribal leaderships in Iraq to unite for the future of Iraq and the future of our nation.
As a Hashemite and a member of Aal Al Bayt and an Arab concerned for every Iraqi - whether Sunni, Shii, or Kurd - I work for the recovery of Iraq and the restoration of its role as one of the factors of regional stability because what happens in Iraq definitely affects the future of this region. It is unreasonable and illogical for the Arabs to leave Iraq to confront the challenges and dangers facing it alone; for what affects it affects us, and it is our duty, all of us, to contribute to supporting the country.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Blind terror has spared neither the precious blood of Jordanians nor that of Iraqis. We all saw the cruelty of terrorism that violated the blood of innocent civilians in Amman hotels. Has the threat of terrorism solidified security coordination between the two countries or are there still technical and administrative problems that obstruct such cooperation?
King Abdullah: The terrorist operations that targeted Jordanians last year, especially the blasts at the three Amman hotels, shocked Jordanians and united us and made us eager to confront terrorists who indiscriminately target innocent children and women. We realised after these criminal acts the depravity of terrorists' thoughts and discourse. As for security coordination between Jordan and Iraq, we hope it can be at the level where we can work to eliminate terrorism.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Where has the training programme for Iraqi police and security personnel conducted by Jordan reached? Does it still continue and are you satisfied with the progress achieved in training?
King Abdullah: Jordan's training of Iraqi police and security forces stems from our concern for the security and unity of Iraq. We are thoroughly convinced that as long as we secure the establishment of a strong Iraqi army and a qualified and trained police force, Iraq's reconstruction can be assured along with an end to foreign presence there. The programme continues, and we hope that through it, we are making a contribution to Iraq's security and stability in all areas of the country. We have so far trained more than 32,000 police personnel and 7,000 Iraqi military personnel. We are training 3,000 more police right now. This is in addition to training of civilian personnel in sectors such as electricity and air transport, as well as others.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: To what extent has terrorism targeted Jordan? There are several factors, but we would like to see Your Majesty's estimate of the number of attempts to infiltrate the Jordanian security?
King Abdullah: Jordan is a target of terrorists because it represents the voice of moderation and centrism and because we stand against extremism and takfir. We have become targets of terrorist groups in Iraq, and our security forces have a long-term strategy to combat terrorism and takfir. Last year and this year, several terrorist operations were aborted. Weapons and explosives meant to target vital Jordanian installations have been confiscated. In the operation targeting the Amman hotels, terrorists used non-Jordanian individuals. Those who executed the operation were Iraqis. 4,000 to 5,000 people cross Jordanian borders every day, which made Jordanian security forces raise the level of alert and use all available means to prevent infiltration of terrorists into Jordan. Neither Iraq, nor Jordan or any other country can face terrorism alone. There must be a call for group action and [we must] unify our positions against terrorism and all those who support or approve of it. This is also a call to reject takfiri thought and alienate all who support it in any way.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: The level and degree of economic and trade cooperation with Iraq ebbs and flows. How can bilateral exchange and investments be developed, and to what extent do security tensions and terrorist acts affect these sectors?
King Abdullah: Unfortunately, the volume of economic and trade cooperation with Iraq is not at the desired level. The truth is that the security situation has contributed to the regression in the volume of trade between the two countries. Our exports to Iraq have decreased noticeably over the last two years, and we hope that there can be practical and serious steps to bring economic and trade cooperation to a level that reflects the special relationship between our brotherly peoples.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Your Majesty, more than a million Iraqis live in Jordan now, and there is a new wave of immigration because of the deteriorating security situation in Iraq. Some have been forced to move due to the difficult circumstances and are looking for official procedures that would facilitate their entry [into Jordan] from Iraq or Syria and their residence in Jordan. This move would make a good impression and would be highly appreciated.
King Abdullah: I would like through your newspaper to tell the Iraqis, especially those who live among us: You are among your family and brothers. We welcome you, and we share with you our livelihood. We do not differentiate between Sunni, Shia, or Kurd. For, today in Amman you find the Iraqi living with his Jordanian brother in the same building. They share one concern: rescuing Iraq from its current upheaval. Jordan's has always been a safe haven for all Arabs. Some incidents may occur at the borders involving procedural delays, but these are often due to precautionary measures, for fear of terrorist infiltration into Jordan. That is why as I mentioned earlier that we are in the process of building a modern border crossing that facilitates and provides comfort to those arriving and leaving.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: The developments in the Iranian nuclear file are raising fears of a return to regional instability that exacerbates problems and portends a phase of mini cold war. Is Jordan and Your Majesty undertaking any initiatives to cool this file, especially that signals of international concern are materialising regarding the Iranian role in Iraq and the possibility of using Iraq as a regional card in its conflict with the US?
King Abdullah: We in Jordan believe that dialogue is the best means of averting crises. We always call for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction. We also emphasise that any escalation of the situation in this issue will increase regional tensions. We've tried hard for some time now to get the region out of this dangerous slope. Jordan has always been ready to join any serious effort that would help start a dialogue between Iran and the international community in that regard.
Al Sabah Al Jadid: Opponents of Arabs and Muslims argue that we have not reached clear or solid convictions regarding good governance and what it implies in terms of a democratic polity and social justice. Have we reached a stage of impotence that prevents us from building countries that are built on good governance and are stable and just?
King Abdullah: In order to confront this logic there is a need to move ahead in procedures that achieve real political and economic reforms which are translated on the ground and that stem from justice and equality. We in Jordan have our vision in that regard and have been working for some time despite obstacles to implement that vision and build a strong economy and an open and modern society founded in pluralism, democracy and moderation, acceptance of others, free speech and respect for competing points of view. Currently the government is working on taking the necessary steps to implement the recommendations of the National Agenda in all fields.
