Amman, Jan. 28 (Petra) – The nation is celebrating the birthday of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces, a leader of noble character and a patron of a blessed national journey. He has followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, leading the country with Hashemite values, making the elevation, progress, prosperity, and stability of the homeland his constant priority. Under his reign, Jordan has become a destination for seekers and admirers alike and a source of pride and reassurance.

Born in Amman on January 30, 1962, His Majesty King Abdullah II is the eldest son of the late King Hussein bin Talal, may God rest his soul, and Princess Muna Al Hussein. His Majesty received his education at the Islamic Educational College in Amman, Deerfield Academy in the United States of America, and also studied at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom and the School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University in Washington.

At the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), His Majesty the King received his military education and thereafter began a distinguished career in military service with the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) the Arab Army, rising through the ranks from first lieutenant to major general. He began his service as a platoon commander and later served as an assistant company commander in the 2nd Royal Tank Battalion. He continued his service in the Arab Army until he became commander of the Royal Special Forces, which he reorganized according to the latest international military standards, later becoming the Special Operations Command.

His Majesty, may God protect him, married Queen Rania Al Abdullah on the tenth of June 1993. Their Majesties were blessed with two sons: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, born on 28 June 1994, and His Royal Highness Prince Hashem bin Abdullah II, born on 30 January 2005; and two daughters: Her Royal Highness Princess Iman bint Abdullah II, born on 27 September 1996, and Her Royal Highness Princess Salma bint Abdullah II, born on 26 September 2000.

His Majesty King Abdullah II holds many high decorations from Arab and foreign countries. He is qualified as a pilot and a free-fall parachutist. Among his hobbies is motor racing, where he won the Jordan National Rally Championship, in addition to practicing water sports and scuba diving. Another of his hobbies is collecting antique weapons.

In February 1999, His Majesty King Abdullah II, may God protect and preserve him, assumed his constitutional powers as King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, following the death of His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal, may God rest his soul. His Majesty has devoted himself to defending Jordan as an oasis of security and stability in a turbulent region through investing in the human energies of his people, confronting the threats of terrorism and extremism within a holistic approach, and continuously working to enhance security, stability, and opportunities for achieving peace in the Middle East and defending the Palestinian cause in various international forums. Despite Jordan's scarce resources, His Majesty continues to lead the Kingdom's efforts to be a safe haven for millions of refugees, stemming from the Hashemite Jordanian legacy of aiding and protecting those in need.

Since His Majesty's accession to the throne, he has proceeded, committed to his father Hussein's approach in enhancing Jordan's positive and moderate role in its Arab and international surroundings. He has worked tirelessly to reach a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. He has also sought to entrench the institutionalization of democracy and political pluralism established by Hussein the Builder and to move towards achieving sustainability in economic growth and social development, aiming to elevate the quality of life for all Jordanians.

His Majesty the King worked to enhance Jordan's external relations and consolidate the Kingdom's pivotal role in supporting regional peace and stability. During his reign, Jordan joined the World Trade Organization, and free trade agreements were signed with sixteen Arab countries, in addition to the Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America and the Association Agreement with the European Union, laying a solid foundation for Jordan's integration into the global economy.

His Majesty personally and effectively participated in establishing the foundations of national administrative reform and entrenching the principles of transparency and accountability in public work. He worked tirelessly to enhance civil liberties, making Jordan one of the most progressive countries in the Middle East. He also paid special attention to enacting legislation that guarantees women a full and unabridged role in social, economic, and political life.

Being the forty-first generation descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, His Majesty the King was keen to spread the values of peace and harmony among Muslims on one hand and between Muslims and followers of other religions around the world on the other. In 2004, His Majesty launched the "Amman Message" to be the first initiative launched by a Muslim leader to affirm that terrorism and violence are contrary to the essence of the true Islam. In 2006, His Majesty supported the "A Common Word" initiative calling for peace and harmony between Muslims and Christians. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted His Majesty's proposal to celebrate the "World Interfaith Harmony Week," to become an annual occasion in the first week of February.

In appreciation of His Majesty's efforts in spreading peace and harmony among religions, promoting the values of moderation, and protecting Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem stemming from the Hashemite Custodianship over them, His Majesty the King received many high international awards, among them the International Peace of Westphalia Prize, the Templeton Prize in the United States, the Lamp of Saint Francis of Assisi for Peace Prize in Italy, and the Scholar-Statesman Award presented by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

His Majesty published his book "Our Last Best Chance: The Pursuit of Peace in a Time of Peril," in which he reviews his memoirs and documents key stations and events and also presents his vision for resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict. It was published in Arabic by Dar Al Saqi in 2011, and in English by Viking Adult in the same year.

As the Arab Army is the apple of the eye of His Majesty the Supreme Commander and the object of his trust, pride, and honor, the Jordan Armed Forces during his reign, may God protect and preserve him, received an unparalleled abundant share and unmatched great attention. His Majesty bestowed upon them his special care and attention in terms of preparation, arming, qualification, and training. They kept pace with the latest technological developments until they became comparable to the armies of advanced countries by equipping them with the latest weapons and equipment to remain at the highest levels of readiness, efficiency, and professionalism. His Majesty the Supreme Commander directed the restructuring of the Armed Forces as a qualitative strategic step to keep pace with the nature of changing challenges and enable them to confront new threats imposed by technological transformations and the expanding operational environment.

The dearest nation will remain shaded by the great achievements realized during the era of His Majesty, our Supreme Commander. The valiant Jordan Armed Forces will continue, with the resolve of their revered leader, with an unyielding willpower that knows no path to the impossible, defending the nation, protecting the borders, and guarding the frontiers with vigilant eyes, to remain an impenetrable shield and a steadfast fortress in preserving the sovereignty, dignity, and prestige of the country.

Happy birthday to the nation and the leader of the nation.

//Petra// AF

28/01/2026 23:02:42