RAMALLAH, West Bank: A fictional caper about an antiquities heist set in an ancient Jordanian city has stirred widespread outrage over the film’s portrayal of historical Jewish ties to Jordan, shining a light on the tenuous peace with neighboring Israel and prompting the government to suspend the movie’s production.
Based on a book of the same name, the movie, “Jaber,” follows a Jordanian boy who uncovers a stone in the rose-colored, rock-hewn city of Petra with a Hebrew inscription on it. He sets off to sell it to the highest bidder, but interested parties in Israel catch wind of the find, dispatching a Russian organized crime group to pursue the boy and retrieve the stone at any cost.
Opponents of the film say merely discussing a historical Jewish presence in Jordan could open the door to Israeli territorial claims to the Hashemite Kingdom. They point to Israel’s claims over the West Bank and east Jerusalem — war-won territories sought by the Palestinians — which Israel says are rooted in millennia-old Jewish ties, backed up by archaeological finds.
While such a scenario is unlikely in Jordan, the concerns reflect the hostility Jordanians feel toward Israel despite the two countries’ 1994 peace agreement.
“Any talk about Jewish history in Jordan could lead to political claims,” said Ali Elayan, who was slated to play a Jordanian police officer in the movie but withdrew over his opposition to the plot. “That is what happened in Palestine.”
Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem, then under Jordanian control, in the 1967 Mideast war. Spurred on by religious Jews hoping to restore a Jewish presence in the biblical land of Israel, repeated Israeli governments have erected settlements in the territories that are widely seen as obstacles to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state. The Palestinians seek the West Bank for their future state, along with east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.
Since signing the landmark peace accord, Israel and Jordan have developed low-key yet strategic ties on energy, water and security. But the relationship has been tested in recent years. Last year, Jordan’s King Abdullah II decided not to renew parts of the peace deal regarding access to farming land. And two years ago, a diplomatic crisis was sparked when a guard at the Israeli Embassy in Amman opened fire after he said he was attacked with a screw driver, killing two Jordanians. Israel swapped out its ambassador to the kingdom and expressed “deep regret” over the incident. The guard, who claimed self-defense, received a hero’s welcome in Israel, infuriating the Jordanians.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the controversy surrounding the film.
While there is ample archaeological evidence of a Jewish presence in Jordan, only an extreme-right fringe of Israeli society seeks both banks of the Jordan River as part of Israel. An overwhelming majority of Israelis make no claim to Jordanian land and place high value on the peace accord.
Ordinary Jordanians — many of whom are Palestinian refugees or have ties to Palestinians — view Israel with animosity.
The movie was set to begin filming this month when actors began dropping out over the script and taking to social media to air their criticisms, sparking a public outcry. Seizing on the wave of public opinion against the movie, the government demanded that the director, Muhyiedeen Qandour, halt filming until an official commission studies the script and delivers recommendations on it. It is unclear how long that may take.
Qandour told The Associated Press that the film bears no political undertones. He rejected criticism that it invites Israeli territorial claims.
“Many civilizations passed through historical Jordan. You don’t see them now returning to claim parts of the country because they were here once in the past,” he said. “The argument made by some about the movie is simply naive and even childish.”
But opponents are still skeptical.
“We are not against Jews as Jews but we are against Israel as an occupying power which uses religion to take others’ land,” said Sari Al-Asaad, the former head of the Jordanian Actors Association, who opposed the movie and lobbied to derail it.
Israeli nationalists have pointed to biblical history and archaeological discoveries to back up their claim to the West Bank, a territory Israel views as “disputed” and whose fate should be determined in peace talks. The Palestinians have accused Israel of exploiting the Bible and ignoring other religions’ ties to the region to grab land. Israel in turn accuses the Palestinians of denying a Jewish connection to the region to strengthen its own claim.
Fears sparked by the film were stoked earlier this month when video emerged of Jewish visitors praying in a shrine said to be the burial place of Moses’ brother Aaron, located near Petra. Jordan shuttered the site upon discovery of the videos and ordered an investigation into the incident, according to the official Jordanian news agency Petra.
Clashes between Muslim worshippers and Israeli police at a key Jerusalem shrine holy to Muslims and Jews over the weekend have only bolstered critics of the film. The east Jerusalem holy site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary, is administered by an Islamic trust under Jordanian stewardship.
“The government and the people in Jordan are unhappy with the relationship with Israel on a number of levels,” said Daoud Kuttab, an Amman-based analyst. “Usually Jordanian officials try to defuse the tension, but this time they didn’t.”
Jordan halts film that refers to historical Jewish presence
Jordan halts film that refers to historical Jewish presence
- The movie is based on a book by the same name
- Critics say discussing a historical Jewish presence in Jordan could open doors for Israel to start claiming territories
Al-Wadi and Al-Jabal: embracing Ramadan’s cherished traditions
- Villagers, with unwavering devotion, pass down their customs, fostering a strong sense of community and shared experience
- Kitchens come alive with the aromas of local dishes — recipes passed down through generations — prepared with fresh ingredients from their own farms
RIYADH: Al-Wadi and Al-Jabal village in the Taif governorate in the western part of Saudi Arabia exemplifies the enduring power of cherished traditions during the holy month of Ramadan.
The villagers, with unwavering devotion, pass down their customs, fostering a strong sense of community and shared experience.
Throughout the holy month, the village displays a rich tapestry of noble practices, interwoven with the villagers’ daily agricultural work.
At dawn they tend to their fields, harvesting fruit and flowers, maintaining water channels for their ancient trees and livestock, and completing essential tasks such as wall construction and material transport.
Families in Al-Wadi and Al-Jabal village observe Ramadan traditions by thoroughly cleaning their homes, encouraging children to fast, and celebrating the first day with gifts.
Their kitchens come alive with the aromas of local dishes — recipes passed down through generations — prepared with fresh ingredients from their own farms.
Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, farmer Khalaf Al-Nemri explained how fasting provides a sense of focus for daily tasks.
“My father and I continue the cultural practices passed down from our ancestors, including the tradition of sharing iftar in our rural community,” Al-Nemri said.
“Our village traditions emphasize love and unity with family and friends after Isha and Taraweeh prayers, often held in traditional Ramadan tents,” Al-Nemri added.
“These enduring bonds strengthen solidarity, family unity and neighborly ties, positively influencing children’s behavior during Ramadan.”
World Monuments Fund strengthens its presence to support heritage in Arab countries
- Organization has made significant contributions to the preservation of tangible heritage and has carried out 68 projects in 13 Arab countries since the mid-1990s
- Dr. Elie Flouty: We can now say that the WMF has an official presence in the region, which is rich in world heritage sites
RIYADH: The World Monuments Fund, which celebrates its sixth decade this year, has strengthened its official presence in Arab countries, organizing an exploratory tour in several countries including Saudi Arabia.
The organization has made significant contributions to the preservation of tangible heritage and has carried out 68 projects in 13 Arab countries since the mid-1990s.
At the end of last month, WMF organized an exploratory tour in several countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
The delegation, composed of 45 individuals, was led by the fund’s president and CEO, Benedicte de Montlaur, with the attendance of Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, board member of the fund, and Dr. Elie Flouty, the fund’s representative in the Arab countries, along with other members of the organization.
This tour marked the beginning of a stronger official presence of the WMF in the Arab region, coinciding with increasing official and unofficial Arab interest in heritage issues, preservation, and integrating this into economic, tourism and social development plans. This aligns with the WMF’s 60th anniversary celebration.
Dr. Elie Flouty said: “We can now say that the WMF has an official presence in the region, which is rich in world heritage sites. We will work with all Arab governmental and non-governmental entities and international institutions to safeguard our ancient Arab heritage. WMF is currently active in 14 sites across various Arab countries and collaborates with both governments and local communities to implement these projects, providing funding and expertise.”
Among the most significant initiatives of the WMF is the World Monuments Watch, a list of endangered sites issued every two years, which includes 25 historic places.
For the 2025 list, three sites from the Arab region were included — the Jewish heritage in Debdou in Morocco, the historic urban fabric of Gaza, and the water reservoirs (majels) in the Old City of Tunis.
The delegation’s tour in the Gulf region included several stops, starting in Kuwait where it visited the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development and Dr. Mohamed Al-Rumaihi discussed the history of Kuwait and its major economic and social milestones. The delegation visited the Soof Center for Spinning and the Grand Mosque, designed by architect Mohamed Saleh Makiya.
In Saudi Arabia, it visited the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah, explored the Old City of Jeddah, and toured the home of architect Sami Angawi, which reflects the architecture of Hijaz.
They also visited Madinah and its major religious landmarks and concluded their visit to AlUla, a site rich in human heritage, natural and cultural landmarks.
In Bahrain, the delegation visited the city of Muharraq and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Pearling Path, the Bahrain National Museum, and several houses within the Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research. They also visited Bahrain Fort and its museum, the Dilmun Burial Mounds listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
WMF is the world’s leading non-governmental organization for heritage preservation. Headquartered in New York, the fund has offices in Peru, London, Paris, Spain, Portugal, India and China, with projects in 112 countries. It has worked on more than 700 heritage sites. WMF’s mission is to save the most threatened landmarks, whether from war or climate change.
Saudi filmmaker Ali Kalthami, Kuwaiti photographer Abdullah Alshayji give iPhone photography workshop in Riyadh
RIYADH: Photography enthusiasts in Riyadh had the opportunity to refine their skills at an exclusive iPhone photography workshop on March 5 at Sima Creative Space.
The event, organized in celebration of Ramadan, featured renowned Kuwaiti photographer Abdullah Alshayji and acclaimed Saudi film director Ali Kalthami, offering attendees a unique learning experience.
The workshop explored the advanced features of iPhone photography, equipping participants with innovative techniques to enhance their social media content. The event fostered a dynamic and collaborative environment, bringing together creatives eager to develop their visual storytelling skills.
One of the highlights of the workshop was Kalthami’s talk on his recent experience filming an iPhone advertisement. Speaking to Arab News, he recalled his initial surprise when tasked with directing the project using an iPhone 16 Pro instead of traditional camera equipment.
Kalthami said: “When I was assigned to create the iPhone ad I asked about the camera lenses, and they told me I would be using the iPhone 16 Pro instead.”
He noted that the smartphone’s compact size helped create a more relaxed atmosphere on set, adding: “The actors acted naturally, which made the filming process enjoyable.”
Kalthami — known for his film “Mandoob” and as the co-founder of Telfaz11 — expressed enthusiasm for integrating iPhone technology into future projects, particularly those requiring a raw, immersive feel.
He said: “Using the iPhone is much more convenient than heavy camera equipment as it can be easily placed anywhere. Some projects benefit from an organic feel, which the iPhone can deliver.”
He also shared insights into the preproduction process, revealing that the ad was filmed in the desert during the golden hour to achieve a cinematic aesthetic. To maximize the capabilities of the iPhone, he incorporated professional filmmaking tools such as a large monitor and stabilizer, proving that smartphone technology can deliver high-quality results.
Alshayji led hands-on demonstrations, showcasing the iPhone camera’s features and sharing expert tips on capturing high-quality images. Using models and objects, he guided participants through techniques to elevate their photography skills, ensuring they left the workshop with practical knowledge to apply to their creative pursuits.
REVIEW: Arab Australian debut cultivates hope, solidarity in rural New South Wales
JEDDAH: Escaping personal strife, a Muslim single mother carves a space for herself in the heart of rural Australia in “Translations,” an engrossing debut novel by Australia-born Palestinian-Egyptian writer Jumaana Abdu.
Set in New South Wales in the period just after the COVID-19 era with the threat of bushfires looming, the novel explores one woman’s efforts to cultivate not only the land but also a sense of belonging and identity on foreign soil.
In this story of self-discovery and resilience, Abdu intricately weaves in the broader theme of solidarity between First Nations of Australia and Palestinians — two nations grappling with colonization, dispossession and cultural erasure.
The novel’s title could be a reference to not just the transformation of the land through re-vegetation and restoration, but also the translations that characters undertake to bridge linguistic, cultural and emotional gaps between them — translation in this sense is portrayed as the language of solidarity and resistance.
Hidden within the trope of new beginnings in a small town, Abdu paints a powerful picture of mutual recognition and respect, of shared struggles, and the healing potential of intercultural bonds.
This is unveiled through Aliyah’s interactions with the community into which she slowly, and sometimes reluctantly, begins to integrate, including her conversations with Shep, the reserved Palestinian man from Gaza who she hires as a farmhand, and Billie, the wise and nurturing Kamilaroi midwife.
Love and faith are also focal elements in the story. Love in its many forms — romantic, familial, and communal — acts as a balm to past wounds for the Arab and Aboriginal characters, while faith, both in the divine and in human resilience, guides Aliyah, and her childhood friend Hana, through despair toward hope.
“Translations” is a profound exploration of not just the complex interplay between identity and trauma, but also a look at how love can bridge divides, and how shared histories of resistance can unite different peoples in their quest for peace and understanding.
In one pivotal moment in the story that carries a deep message, Shep discusses displacement and the “chain of loss and expulsion” with Billie’s husband Jack, an Aboriginal character, who poignantly says: “You want to wish for something, wish for the return of the land’s dignity.”
What to wear this Ramadan: A selection of seasonal collections from regional brands
DUBAI: With Ramadan underway, fashion brands across the region have unveiled their latest collections. From embroidered kaftans to flowing abayas and statement accessories, these collections offer a variety of options for both daytime gatherings and evening celebrations. Whether rooted in Saudi, Moroccan or Lebanese craftsmanship, each label brings a unique perspective to modest fashion this season.
Amarah
The Saudi brand’s Ramadan edit has not only abayas and kaftans but also jewelry to accessorize your modest looks this month. Their gold crescent-shaped hoop earrings, adorned with blue and green beads, will add a decorative touch to your outfits. Another standout piece is this deep green velvet ensemble with intricate embroidery, featuring a dramatic cape and tiered skirt.
Dal
The Saudi label’s Ramadan capsule collection showcases a variety of fabrics and colors, featuring organza with raffia collar embroidery and sand satin. Earth-toned pieces incorporate crochet details and hand-stitched craftsmanship. The collection highlights ethereal drapes and artisanal techniques, showcasing a blend of traditional methods and contemporary construction.
LN Family
Dubai-based LN Family has launched its first Ramadan collection, featuring four abayas in a classic neutral color palette. The designs incorporate flowing silhouettes in satin, crepe and sheer fabrics. From muted earth tones to black with feathered accents, the collection balances cultural heritage with modern wearability for Ramadan gatherings.
ASHAALIA
ASHAALIA’s Ramadan collection, designed by creative director Asheema Razak, merges Eastern craftsmanship with European influences. The collection features hand-beaded abayas in silk and satin, adorned with intricate embellishments. Earth tones, blacks, and jewel-toned greens all feature, and the collection as a whole showcases Razak’s multicultural heritage and a focus on sustainable techniques and materials.
DUHA
Duha, founded by Tunisian designer Duha Bukadi, is offering a Ramadan footwear collection, in which one of the standout designs is the EVA line, which includes crystals arranged in the shape of a foot on the front part of the shoes, making them statement pieces as well as practical choices for Ramadan celebrations. The collection also includes BB Strass heels in silver, gold and black. The sandals are adorned with small metallic studs along the straps and heel counter.
Orient 499
Orient 499’s collection is apparently inspired by the classic book “Alf Leila Wa Leila” (1001 Arabian Nights). It features kaftans, abayas and jellabas with intricate hand embroidery, silk brocades and gold accents. The men’s collection includes embroidered tunics, tailored jackets with metallic detailing, and relaxed linen shirts, incorporating traditional motifs and artisanal stitching.
Selma Benomar
Selma Benomar’s Ramadan collection is influenced by her Moroccan heritage and features contemporary kaftans and flowing gowns crafted from silk, chiffon, velvet and organza, adorned with hand embroidery, beading and metallic threadwork. The color palette ranges from earthy tones to vibrant jewel hues, reflecting the season’s spirit and there are options for both daytime and evening gatherings.
Dima Ayad
The Lebanese designer’s collection highlights her signature silhouettes in earthy tones and metallic finishes. The collection includes kaftans, kimonos and dresses designed for versatility, and featuring feather-trimmed sleeves, geometric metallic prints and voluminous draping. A key part of the collection is The Flower Edit, which incorporates embroidered florals and shimmering sequins.
