His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday issued directives to allocate plots of land for the country's 134 Sharia judges, including five based in Jerusalem.

During a meeting with Chief Islamic Justice and Royal Family Imam Ahmad Hilayel and members of the Sharia Justice Commission, the King said the makruma was in recognition of the “great role Sharia judges play in protecting society and safeguarding the rights of citizens.”

King Abdullah said he directed the concerned authorities to work on improving the living conditions of Sharia judges and providing them with all facilities that help them carry out their mission.

A committee headed by Royal Court Adviser Yousef Issawi was formed to oversee the distribution of the land.

Hilayel, who said the Royal gesture would reflect positively on the performance of the judges, briefed the King on the new ideas his department has come up with to develop the performance of Sharia courts in the fields of family affairs and guidance.

The 65 Sharia courts, in addition to a Sharia Court of First Instance and appeal in Jerusalem, are mainly concerned with applying the Personal Status Law, which deals with issues like marriage, divorce and inheritance.

In statements to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, following the meeting, Hilayel praised the King's initiative to improve the situation of Sharia judges, including rehabilitation and training programmes.

Similar initiatives by the King have been designed to improve the performance and living conditions of judges in regular civil courts as well as mosque imams and preachers.

The Jordan Times