Under the patronage of H.E. Mr. Salam Fayyad, and as part of the Jordanian Cultural Week activities in Palestine, the University hosted yesterday the Jordanian Cultural Delegation participating in this week of activities. The Delegation is touring the West Bank's cities in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Culture and the National Higher Committee for the Celebration of Jerusalem as a Capital of Arab Culture.

Dr. Maher Tarawneh, the Jordanian Consul to the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Samer Frihat, the Head of the Jordanian Delegation and the Director of Culture Directorate in Ajlun, a group of Jordanian artists, authors, poets and journalists, a number of the members of the Board of Trustees of An-Najah, Director of the Ministry of Culture office in Nablus, Mr. Hamdallah Affaneh, Dr. Mohammad Hanon, VP for Commuinity Affairs, Dr. Hasan N'erat, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts attended the cultural event.

Dr. Muhammad Hannon, as the representative of the University's President, opened the ceremony welcoming the guests and highlighting the depth of relations between the two countries. He said that the Jordanian culture is an essential part of the Arab culture because of the geographical location of Jordan as a point of contact between Arab countries, and a land of cultures and civilizations through history.

Jordan, as he said has always, and through its wise leadership worked hard to protect Arab culture and support Palestine to protect its cultural identity, and worked hand in hand with the Palestinian leadership to make this culture one of unity because the unity and the originality are the foundation for its survival.

Mrs. Siham Barghothi, Minister of Palestinian Culture, in her welcoming remarks, appreciated the visit of the delegation to the Palestinian people. She  that the Jordanian Traditional Arts activities is an opportunity to the interaction between the two countries as there are similarities in heritage, and a mutual history and future. She thanked the delegation as the visit promotes the links between Palestine and Jordan.

Mr. Ghassan Shak'a, the member of the Executive Committee of the Palestinian Libration Organization, said that the Jordanian- Palestinian history is a joint history of cooperation and solidarity, and they are partners.  He also appreciated the Jordanian leadership for its support to the Palestinian cause.

The Jordanian General Consul thanked the Palestinian people for their warm hospitality. He said that people showed great care to the visiting delegatioin, and insured the Jordan's support and solidarity for the Palestinian people.

The delegation visited the New Campus and appreciated the academic and architectural level that the University enjoys, and they were briefed on the University's history and achievements from Dr. Muhammad Hannon. T he cultural activity included poems recitation, a presentation for Jordanian traditional history, traditional customs show and the opening of the handicrafts fair that embody the Jordanian culture and heritage.

The Jordanian Traditional Arts Band presented interludes of popular Jordanian Dabkeh, and national Jordanian songs. Prof. Rami Hamdallah, the University's President, attended the show and expressed his delight to meet the delegation and his admiration for the distinctive performance of the band, wishing that these activities continue despite all hardships.