On the occasion of Jordan’s 73rd Independence Day, His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday bestowed medals on a number of leading national institutions and a group of distinguished Jordanian men and women.

The medals, presented during a ceremony marking the occasion, are in appreciation for their contributions to Jordan’s prosperity and progress.

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, as well as a number of royal family members and senior officials and officers attended the ceremony, held at the Cultural Palace.

King Abdullah bestowed the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the First Degree on the World Islamic Sciences and Education University, in recognition of its contributions to countering extremism, and its social responsibility of training imams and preachers at the awqaf ministry, and teachers at the education ministry.

His Majesty also bestowed the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the First Degree on the Jordan Academy of Arabic, in appreciation for its efforts to preserve Arabic language, heritage, and culture.

The King bestowed the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the First Degree on the late Sultan Odwan, received by his son Bakr, in appreciation for his dedication over many years in service of Jordanian football and his prominent role in national and tribal activism.

His Majesty honoured Mohammad Abu Ghazaleh with the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the First Degree, in recognition of his efforts to establish investment and development projects in various sectors to support Jordan’s economy and employ Jordanians, as well as his charity work.

In addition, the King bestowed the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the First Degree on Caritas Jordan, in appreciation for its charity work and community service in the healthcare, education, youth, and productive sectors, ongoing for over 50 years, as well as its efforts to provide shelter for refugees.

His Majesty bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on the late actor Nabil Mashini, received by his son Tareq, in appreciation for his stellar career and his efforts to enrich the Jordanian cultural scene.

His Majesty honoured Sheikh Ahmad Khodari with the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree, in recognition of his efforts to highlight the bright image of Islam and its noble values, in addition to his dedicated work as a teacher and imam to promote the values of moderation.

Moreover, the King bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on Faisal Gharaibeh, in appreciation for his efforts in development and social service, as well as his studies and writings on community service with the aim of empowering local communities.

His Majesty honoured the Naouri Group with the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree, in recognition of its contributions to support the economy and its role in establishing economic projects in logistics, shipping, tourism, and travel, as well as its efforts to provide job opportunities for Jordanians and support local communities.

The King bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the First Degree on Archbishop Christoforos Atallah, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop in Jordan, in appreciation for his efforts to promote interfaith harmony, coexistence, and dialogue, as well as his dedication to defending Christian and Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem and the city’s Arab identity.

His Majesty honoured Umm Al Jimal Municipality with the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Second Degree, in recognition of the municipality’s quality services to residents and its efforts to conserve archaeological sites and protect the environment.

In addition, the King presented the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Second Degree to actress Qamar Safadi, in appreciation for her distinguished career and efforts to enrich the cultural scene, especially as one of the founders of the Jordan Artists Association.

His Majesty bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Second Degree on Mohammad Dagjoucka, one of the oldest tour guides in Jordan, in recognition of his work over four decades to promote tourism.

The King honoured Khaldoun Aqayleh with the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Second Degree, in appreciation for his work to serve orphans and families in need in Maan.

His Majesty presented Jalila Smadi with the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree, in recognition of her efforts in empowering women economically, socially, and politically, as well as her work in service of families in need, orphans, and people with disabilities.

The King presented the Order of Al Istiqlal (Independence) of the Third Degree to composer Talal Abu Al Ragheb, in appreciation for his musical oeuvre that fuses Eastern and Western heritage to promote harmony, as well as his efforts to promote tourism in Jordan through his music.

His Majesty honoured the Jordan Volunteers initiative with the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Third Degree, in recognition of their work to institutionalise volunteerism and harness the energies of youth to serve their communities.

The King bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Third Degree on teacher Laila Jabali, in appreciation for her dedication to education reform.

His Majesty presented the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Third Degree to photojournalist Mohammad Garalleh, in recognition of his efforts to utilise journalism in community service.

The King also honoured Khetam Hasanat with the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Third Degree, for her entrepreneurial efforts to promote organic farming and the cultivation of medicinal herbs in the Southern Badia, as well as her efforts to combat desertification and train young women on income-generating activities.

His Majesty presented the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction of the Third Degree to Fadi Miqdadi, for his voluntary work around the governorates, and his efforts to encourage youth to volunteer to serve their communities and restore homes of underprivileged families.