Khaberni - Nidal Al-Batayneh wrote:
What led me to imagine such a headline for such a reflection was the condolence scene for the late Ahmed Obeidat, where the public attendance was not just a social obligation, but was indeed a political and moral act par excellence. The scene reminded us of the entrenched truth that the Jordanian people, despite everything they are going through, possess a precise internal balance for fairness, distinguishing between those who served sincerely, those who passed by, benefited, or traded in positions.
Jordanians' fairness cannot be bought, imposed by the media, influenced by opinion polls, parliamentary confidence voting results, writers' opinions and rapid intervention interviews, nor can it be fabricated through speeches; it is fairness born of a conscious memory, a memory that watches and stores, then speaks its mind at the decisive moment.
When following the testimonies of people about Ahmed Obeidat, a state man, you find them in conjunction with their testimonies and specifications about state men etched in the memory of the Jordanians, which overall include boldness, credibility, not profiting and benefiting himself and his family, adhering to the sanctity of money and the rights of Jordanians, and his belief in the state of Jordan and the Palestinian cause. Simple and basic requirements that, on the whole, involve being strong, a role model, respectful of oneself, and devoted to the country, its people, and its national constants.
Moreover, the fairness of Jordanians and their deep memory expose what is sometimes portrayed in the media and officially by highlighting those who have not contributed. Here appears the gap between deception and truth, and here lies the difference between enduring in the Jordanian memory on one hand, and the trash bin of Jordanian history on the other, where the ability to maneuver or influence does not help, for the Jordanian memory precisely distinguishes between the genuine and the imitation.
It is worth noting that although Jordanians' fairness might be delayed, it does not linger for long, and the memory of Jordanians is longer and deeper than any promotional or media campaign, and truer than any speech.
The condolence of Ahmed Obeidat, or the daily reminiscing of people about men who left us decades ago, is concrete evidence that Jordanians know who deserves to be acknowledged by their name and who does not.
We do not need to manufacture paper heroes or engage in artificial glorification. What we need is to recognize the value of sincere work, respect those who served without compensation, and restore the idea that public service is a responsibility, not a prize. In the end, positions disappear, and the noise fades, but impact persists… and the Jordanian people, when they judge, they judge with awareness, dignity, and a memory that does not fade.
May God protect Jordan, its people, land, leadership, and armed forces.
