Students honor Jordan's Hussein

By Risa Berrin
For the Daily

A Jordanian flag, photographs, flowers and a memorial guest book decorated an Angell Hall auditorium last night as more than 60 people paid tribute to former Jordanian leader King Hussein bin Talal. Hussein died of lymphatic cancer Feb. 7 after a 46-year reign as king of Jordan.

Sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies and several Jordanian University students, the event featured several speakers and a film clip of photographs and television interviews of Hussein.

Many students at the event expressed an intense feeling of sadness for their loss. Some cried while others smiled - all remembering Hussein's legacy to Jordan.

DAVID ROCHKIND/Daily Members of the Jordanian Student Body and the Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies host a tribute to the late King Hussein of Jordan. LSA first-year student Lana Karrain holds a book with guests' signatures.

Rackham first-year student Iyad Zalmout said he has been mourning for two weeks. Zalmout said he felt a personal attachment to Hussein after living in Jordan for 16 years.

"This is the worst event of my life. I felt as if I knew King Hussein better than my own father," Zalmout said.

President of the Jordanian-American Association of Michigan Williams Salata said Jordanians in all parts of the world had a unique relationship with Hussein.

"Whether we are in Jordan or in Michigan, we always felt close to our leadership, especially with King Hussein," Salata said.

Salata also noted that the king was very dedicated to his people. "King Hussein always kept himself accessible whenever needed. He practiced a love of tolerance for all groups of people in Jordan," Salata said.

Many individuals shared memories of the king. Engineering sophomore Nabeel Abu-Ata reflected on Hussein's interests. "I remember the image of his majesty in his souped up Mercedes. He had a vast motorcycle and automobile collection," Abu-Ata said.

Abu-Ata also spoke of the times when King Hussein would dress in disguise and presume the role of a taxi cab driver, interacting with his passengers.

"He wanted to remain in close contact with his people. He wanted to know how they felt towards their king," Abu-Ata said. Many of the speakers commented on King Hussein's role in the Middle East peace process.

Michael Bonner, associate professor for Middle Eastern and North African studies, spoke of Jordan's strategic importance. "It's difficult to imagine the region without him. His influence in the world was illustrated by the numerous leaders represented at the funeral," Bonner said.

The Jordanian students who helped organize the event said Hussein's death has brought them together. "On the day of the funeral we decided to organize a formal tribute to his majesty. King Hussein taught us to work as a team, as family," Abu-Ata said. LSA sophomore Nasser Majali said he is very confident with King Hussein's successor, Prince Abdullah.

"Prince Abdullah has the full support of the Jordanian people, the military and world leaders," Majali said.

Bonner said he believes Jordan will continue its current role in the Middle East peace process.

"I am confident and hopeful that Jordan will continue in success," Bonner said.

The Jordanian students who organized the tribute hope to become a formal organization. The group is also considering establishing a scholarship fund to honor Hussein's work for peace.

"This scholarship would be given to a student who works for peace," Abu-Ata said.

The organizers of last night's event plan to send the guest book, which contained notes for Hussein's relatives, to the country's royal family.

02-19-99