His Majesty King Abdullah II's remarks on the occasion of the 71st Independence Day

In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Compassionate,

Prayers and peace be upon the Arab Hashemite Prophet Mohammad,

My brothers and sisters,

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you, and happy Independence Day to you and to our beloved Jordan.

Tomorrow, we celebrate our Independence Day, a national occasion dear to our hearts that stands as a testament to our freedom and unwavering determination. It is an occasion to proudly recall the great achievements of the first generation of builders and their great services to this most precious homeland. We are, with God’s blessings, following in this path, turning challenges into opportunities to progress into the future with faith and determination.

Independence is a continuous process of building and achieving, so today I speak to my daughters and sons—the youth of this nation. They are the shining beacon of hope and the inspiring creative energies that have transformed our Jordan into a model of excellence and entrepreneurship. They confidently and fearlessly continue to create and innovate to put Jordan at the top.

My sons and daughters,

I believe that young, responsible Jordanians are our future, and, therefore, the spirit of taking the initiative must be instilled within them early on at their schools and universities, where they are trained, qualified, and empowered to transform their aspirations into a tangible reality. For innovation to take root, it cannot be the exception, but the norm and a way of life. Students, teachers, soldiers, security officers, labourers, and every young man and woman all play their part in our journey to build on our achievements.

Our youth, wherever they are, deserve to be celebrated on this day for their accomplishments. They are an example in giving and pioneering for all Jordanians to follow. They remind us that love of country is about dedication and working diligently for a better today and a promising tomorrow.

Wishing our Jordan and our youth a happy Independence Day,

Peace, God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.