The Exchanges: The Story

The 'Egyptian phase' 1973-79

The 'Sudan phase' 1981-86

The 'Jordan phase' 1986-96

The 'Lebanon phase' 1994-2002

The 'Jordan phase' 1986-96

In June 1986, what was to be the last delegation from Sudan, a group from Khartoum University Students Union, was joined by a group from Yarmouk University in Irbid, north Jordan. This latter delegation was the result of a letter by Alistair Duncan of the World of Islam Festival Trust, to the then Crown Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, suggesting exchanges with Jordanian Universities. Prince Hassan commended this to the recently-established Yarmouk University. It so happened that a junior member of the staff at Yarmouk was Dr Abdullah Jaradat who had been a member of the University of Jordan delegation to Britain in 1978. He was thus able to speak for the programme in the councils of the University.

Sudanese and Jordanian students pray in a host's garden
before breaking the fast during Ramadan, 1986

Eman Akour, now head of the English News Department at Jordan Television, was a member of that delegation:

‘The visit helped me greatly in understanding Western culture. Before that, I can’t deny that I had some misconceptions about the people, their traditions, and the way they looked at the Muslim and Arab world.

But later, through our various visits and meetings with ordinary people as well as officials, a big part of the confusion was clarified.

I was able to express facts about my world and people, and also share ideas and thoughts that were badly needed in a world that is losing much of its principles and meanings of a peaceful life shared with others.

Upon my return, I told my colleagues and friends about the hospitality, about the kind and warm people I met, and the many things that have been misunderstood due to the lack of direct contact with people in the West. Each part of the program and each person I met left a memory and impression that I cherish. Staying with families in their homes were some of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had. It made me understand that whatever the differences in culture and religion may be, it is the bridges of understanding and mutual respect between people that build nations.’

In April 1987, six British students visited Jordan at the invitation of Yarmouk University. During their programme they met HRH Prince Abdullah (now King Abdullah II), the Minister for the Occupied Territories, and an adviser to Prince Hassan.

At around this time, the Science Faculties of Yarmouk University moved to a new purpose-built campus outside Irbid, to form the new Jordan University of Science and Technology ( JUST ).

As it was members of these faculties who particularly believed in the exchanges, JUST became the Association’s partner, and their first delegation visited Britain in September 1987. A further Jordanian delegation visited Britain in September 1988, and a British group was able to go to Jordan during the Easter vacation in 1989. Their programme included visits to three of Jordan ’s four universities, and interviews in Amman with the Minister of Information, the Director of the Department of Palestinian Affairs, and the British Ambassador. There were visits to Aqaba, Petra, Jerash and the Dead Sea, and to a Palestinian refugee camp. They were accompanied throughout by a relay of Jordanian students.

Another group from JUST visited Britain in September 1990 - a time of great tension because of the ‘intifada’ in the Palestinian Territories and Iraq ’s invasion of Kuwait the previous month. It was not clear whether they would be able to come, but Prof. Ali Zaghal, Dean of Students at JUST, telephoned a week before they were due to arrive to say that ‘Now more than ever it is urgent to build bridges of understanding’. At the farewell reception at the end of their visit, having listened to both the Jordanian students and their British counterparts, the Jordanian ambassador described the exchanges as ‘an exhilarating experience’ and ‘hopeful for the future’.

Prof. Ali Zaghal with students from the
Jordan University of Science and Technology
at the University of Wales, Cardiff, 1993

Now Director of the Refugees, Displaced Persons & Forced Migration Studies Center at Yarmouk University, Prof. Zaghal led two student delegations from JUST (September 1990 and March 1993), and hosted two student delegations to Jordan (March 1989 and June 1992). He writes:

‘In choosing the student group for these exchanges, we were careful to ensure that they should be representative of the faculties and intellectual trends in the University, and that they should have a good working knowledge of English. It was the policy of the University to work to develop students who were balanced and open personalities, able to adapt to various internal and external environments, and able to respect and value the other whatever their colour, nationality, religion, or language.

The well-known saying, “One who sees is not like one who hears”, sums up the images that I formed of the British people during these two visits. Our picture of the British people is that they are conservative, thrifty, and not without a sense of superiority. But I have found during my contact with those overseeing the programme, host families in various parts of Britain, government officials, councillors, civic dignitaries and university professors, that the British are an open, generous and intelligent people, who respect others. I have also discovered their respect for Arabs and Muslims and knowledge of aspects of our civilisation, and a desire to increase their knowledge and understanding of Jordan and the Arab countries.

Among the highlights of these visits, I remember the beauty of the British natural scene with its gentle air and the perpetual greenness and plentiful water which God has granted it. I remember meetings with MPs in the House of Commons, an evening in the home of one of our hosts in Wales, and spontaneous musical evenings employing a variety of instruments (even kitchen implements!). I recall the amusement caused by my reply to the welcome of a young Scottish MP when I said,“We in Jordan share with you the experience of being colonised by the English!” I noticed changes in the attitudes of the students who took part.What was most apparent was the development of openness, tolerance, esteem and respect for the other. This was particularly noticeable in one of the students who was very religious in attitude and behaviour. Their exposure to various points of view, and interaction with people of different origins and cultures, influenced them towards co-operation and tolerance, service to humanity and voluntary work. Some of them have remained in contact with their counterparts in Britain.’

JUST invited one further group to Jordan in March 1996. In all, between 1986 and 1996, BAUA sent to Jordan 18 students (of whom two were French and two Dutch) and group leaders, and welcomed 30 Jordanian and Palestinian students and university staff.