On the 4th of December, the 9th Annual meeting of the Arab Federation for Consumers took place in Amman-Jordan (the chosen headquarters of the AFC) at Al-Quds Hotel (Queen Rania St.). Dr. Mohammad Obeidat president of the AFC and the Jordanian Consumer Protection Society is also my professor. He invited us, his students to attend, and I’m very glad he did!
In the opening session, former Prime Minister Dr. Faisal Al-Fayez received an award for his efforts and continuous support of the Jordanian Consumer Protection Society.
The session I attended was about banking services in the Arab world. In my humble opinion, most of the presentations made were less impressive than those made by college students, but this is the 9th annual conference yet the discussions were very formal-like and speakers seemed to be lacking in spirit, not to mention that the number of participants was very small. Same goes for the total number of attendees.
Jordan is setting an example for the rest of the Arabic countries in consumer protection, thanks to Dr. Obeidat and the JCPS’ staff, and I hope that it will continue to be the leader and inspire the rest to make similar efforts in their countries. And I hope that in next year’s conference participants (and Jordanian marketing students and professionals) will show more enthusiasm and concern towards consumer-related issues.
Popularity: 23% [?]
Queen Rania St.’s Subways Renovation Project
3 Comments Published by shaden December 8th, 2007 in JP Blog
Overnight, the subway opposite to Jordan University’s main entrance underwent some major changes in what I think was the first step of a plan to renovate all the subways in Queen Rania Street. I was truly impressed to see how everything was done in a timely manner and without disturbing traffic. Staircases were repaired and tiles were replaced with colored ones, mini shops were built to replace the old “Bastat” which I suppose were illegal in the first place, and a couple of green plants were placed on each side of the subway. I love the new greenery scene, and the colored tiles. And as someone who uses this subway almost everyday, I appreciate the much needed changes especially the organized shops which not only allowed more people to benefit from the small space previously crowded with Bastat and beggars, but also made it safer and more comfortable for everyone to use the subway.
Popularity: 32% [?]
Nope this is not the title of an art exhibition held at Mecca Mall!
I’ve recently “discovered” this “piece of art” on one of the walls in Mecca Mall and I was utterly shocked. Just how could this happen at the mall? where were everyone when the wall was being vandalized with graffiti? and by everyone I’m not talking about the mall security only, but mall visitors as well. It’s such a shame that some can’t behave responsibly towards public utilities. Shopping malls are in my opinion one of the first and most common indicative signs of a modern and civilized society, so now that we have them, we might as well act like one.
Popularity: 44% [?]
A Banner a Day: Abu Mohammed and his sons
1 Comment Published by shaden November 20th, 2007 in JP Blog
Miflih Khalid and his sons support
……
Abu Akif and his sons support
……
Banners showing support for one of the candidates.
I wonder what good those support banners do to anyone. Abu Mohammed and his sons support Abu Yousef
or Shouq, Ghazal, Nouf and Mohammed Nasser support Abu Miflih
seriously? Oh so Abu Mohammed and his sons think I should vote for Saleh? just Who the heck are these people?
Today I received several SMS messages asking me to vote for different candidates. One of them speaks to me as a member of the holy places protection group, funny I don’t recall being a member. Another one sent to me as a member of some consumer-related group, I suspect it’s the consumer protection association but I can’t be sure. I’ve recently joined the Jordanian consumer protection association, but having my phone number listed as a member does not mean it’s OK to send me such messages. Just because Raed Hamada sells Hommos and seems to be liked by the CP group, it doesn’t mean I should support him (it doesn’t mean I shouldn’t either).
*لأ بس بصراحة شكله إلو شعبية غير شكل الأخ صالح اللوزي! بس مش ملاحظين إنه لافتات المؤازرة قلبت الشوارع نوعًا ما زي جريدة الرأي؟ يعني لما تفتح صفحة تلاقي موظفين مصنع القطران بباركو للمدير العام بالسيارة المرسيدس الجديدة، هيك إشي… وشو بالنسبة لوصل سلامي؟ ذكروني بإذاعة عمان أيام برنامج البث المباشر، لما كانوا يحطوا أغنية: على جناح الطير لابعت سلامي…
*Arabic comment by Ola Eliwat
Popularity: 25% [?]
A Banner a Day: For a Better Parliament
1 Comment Published by shaden November 18th, 2007 in JP Blog
For a better Parliament
Opposite to Jordan University. Your fifth district’s candidate
….
. Amman-the capital
I gotta admit she has a point. First make the PARLIAMENT a better place and then see what you can do for the country. She’s basically saying, elect me for a more civilized parliament where ashtrays stay on the table (as opposing to fly). I like the slogan because it’s realistic. Then again who cares if MPs even killed each other? I don’t.
*أنا بصراحة هاي عجبتني! يعني جابتها على بلاطة: قبل ما نزبط البلد خلينا نزبط البرلمان! وبدل ما نحل مشاكل الشعب خلينا نتعلم كيف نحل مشاكل النواب مع بعض بدون تراشق بالمكتات وقزايز المي… وزي ما هو معروف البرلمان هو ممثل الشعب، يعني المفروض يعطي فكرة إيجابية، مش يورجي العالم إنا شعب همج! على كل حال، يا ريت يكون البرلمان أفضل هالمرة وما نضطر نزت أمثال زي: نواب الزط عالحيطان بتنط
*Arabic comment by Ola Eliwat
Popularity: 22% [?]
“No taxes on hunger and sickness”
I’m guessing he was trying to say something about removing taxes on medicine and food items. Sounds a bit too dramatic don’t you think? more like something a revolutionist coming straight from the eighteenth century would say. I really want to believe you, but try being a little more reasonable in what you promise.
*ليش هم جمركوهم واحنا مش عارفين؟ على كل حال أنا سمعت إنه رائد حمادة هو صاحب مطعم حمادة الشهير تبع الحمص والفلافل، يعني مش من مصلحته يصير الجوع بمصاري، لأنه ما صفى إشي ببلاش إلا الهوا والجوع، فإذا صار الجوع عليه ضرايب الإشي الوحيد اللي ممكن نعمله إنا ناكل هوا… وهيك بنضرب عصفورين بحجر، ما بناكل ولا بنجوع
*Arabic comment by Ola Eliwat
Popularity: 24% [?]
A Banner a Day:Women are Strategic Partners
1 Comment Published by shaden November 15th, 2007 in JP BlogParliamentary elections is every Jordanian’s favorite topic, and will continue to be at least till the 20th of this month. So much has been said about the visual pollution of electoral banners, but you know what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
We’ll post one picture every day and comment on it both in Arabic and English. The comments are unbiased (in other words, we don’t care who wrote the slogan nor for which candidate was it written).
Enjoy.
“women are strategic partners, and not secondary followers”
Excuse me, but who said they are in the first place? You’re stating the obvious. Of course women are not followers of men. Welcome to the 21st century where you don’t get credit for not being a tyrant!.
On another note, “strategic partners”? it’s a term used in business or war. Wait…you’re running for the parliament right?
*الحق ُيقال إنه هادا الزلمة داخل شمال، يعني مش مخلي فئة من فئات المجتمع إلا رافع شعار يضرب على الوتر الحساس عندهم… يعني مثلًا بقوللك المرأة شريك إستراتيجي، عراسي، بس لو حدا يقوللي إيمتى الحرب خليني أجهز حالي! يعني الشعار هيك بعطيك شعور إنه الدنيا بدها تنهد… على كل حال أنا أي شعار فيه كلمة مرأة صرت أحسه كليشيه كتير، ونصيحة للإخوة المرشحين: إذا بدكم تلعبوا على نقطة حقوق المرأة، لازم تجيبوا فكرة مبتكرة كتير لأنه المرأة نفسها زهقت اللت والعجن زي ما زهقت جرائم الشرف والتمييز والتحرش الجنسي وهلم جر…
*Arabic comment by Ola Eliwat.
Popularity: 23% [?]
We have received a couple of E-mails asking how to link to Jordan Pulse. We are glad you asked!
You can promote Jordan Pulse by copying the code of any of the below images and pasting it somewhere on your Website/Blog:
Popularity: 17% [?]
Behind the Scenes: Saeed Murad’s Videoclip
1 Comment Published by mazen November 4th, 2007 in JP BlogDeema Amr is a film maker and director. She’s a 24 year old enthusiast who happens to be the director for Saeed Murad’s latest video clip. Saeed is expected to launch a new album towards the end of the year.
I was asked to join the crew as the still photographer on set. This proved to be a very nice experience as we shot at the Vy health club in Abdoun. That place is awesome! Pricey, yeah, but awesome! The theme and title of the video is undisclosed at this point in time, but what I can tell you is the following:
Directed by : Deema Amr
Music By: Saeed Murad
Models were provided by : Modelicious
Other than that, people like khuttar and Nescafe presented us with great food throughthe filming, hair and make up was provided by a lovely character that goes by the name of Tina Sweis, I was the still photographer on site and you can see some of the photos I took down below at the end of the post! I’m sorry there isn’t more but these photos are fresh out of the camera and i still have to discuss them with Deema!
Saeed Murad is a lovely person and has a very down to earth and laid back character! We spent a good deal of time together and I must say, I like his music as much as I like the person!
Enjoy the photos, and stay tuned to see previews of Deema’s productions and other films!
The crew shooting the entrance scene.
This is a behind the scenes shot of the fight scene!
First day, the sun comes up on us! yes, we were up till dawn…literally!
More photos to come when we write up some more about Deema and her work!
Popularity: 30% [?]
Jordan Pulse Celebrates it’s 1st Birthday
12 Comments Published by shaden November 2nd, 2007 in JP Blog
We have celebrated today - with a group of fellow bloggers and friends – the long awaited launch of jordanpulse.com
We were thrilled to share our vision and future plans with those who honored us by joining the Jordan Pulse team in celebration.
Our baby took a few months of hard work and then some! But the result is absolutely satisfying.
It was great meeting each one of you! Many thanks to those who joined us; for your support and valuable feedback!
We hope to meet the rest of our readers very soon!
Popularity: 31% [?]
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