His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday bestowed medals on outstanding and prominent Jordanian figures and institutions in recognition of their efforts in the service of Jordan.

Honourees included several men and women from different walks of life as well as distinguished national institutions.

The King conferred Al Hussein Medal for Distinguished Performance of the First Order on Khalid Touqan, the president of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, in appreciation of his outstanding contributions to the educational development in the Kingdom.

King Abdullah also conferred the same medal on Ali Mahaftha for his written works about Jordan's contemporary history and his achievements in the field of higher education.

The same medal was bestowed on Muhana Durra for remarkable efforts to develop plastic arts in Jordan and in appreciation of his various works of art displayed in several museums across the world.

Also Sukaina Bint Al Hussein Secondary School for Girls was recognised as one of the country's prominent institutions.

The school was awarded Al Hussein Medal for Distinguished Performance of the First Order, which was presented to its principal, Shams Ahmad Issa, in recognition of the Amman-based school's excellent results in the general secondary examinations over the past five years.

The King also conferred Al Istiqlal Medal of the Second Order on Mahmoud Kafawin, director of the National Aid Fund, who has exerted “great efforts in the area of public service”. The King bestowed the same medal on the renowned writer and columnist Fakhri Quwar, in acknowledgement of his achievements in journalism and for his active presence and contributions to cultural and intellectual forums.

A Jerusalemite and a member of the Awqaf Council in the Holy City, Mohammad Nuseibah was presented with the Al Istiqlal Medal of the Second Order for his humanitarian efforts.

Around four months ago, Nuseibah unfolded the story of a Jordanian soldier who fell martyr in the 1967 war in defence of Jerusalem. Nuseibah buried the fallen soldier in his house garden in east Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood.

Other Jordanians honoured Monday for their contributions to the national economy included Mohammad Khalaf Tal, who received Al Hussein Medal of the Second Order for his work in developing veterinary medicines, and Imad Fakhoury, the chief executive officer of Aqaba Development Corporation, who was presented with the same award due to his dedicated efforts towards economic development.

The same medal was presented to Khalil Mohammad Jurn, an agricultural engineer, for his services in the field of agricultural production and rural development.

The King also conferred Al Istiqlal Medal of the Third Order on Maha Ali, director of policies and trade relations at the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

In the sports domain, His Majesty presented mountaineer Mostafa Mahmoud Salameh Al Istiqlal Medal of the Fifth Order. The mountaineer was able to reach the peak of Mount Everest this year.