2001

Esteemed Chancellor,
Excellencies,
Students, parents, and families of the class of 2001,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

(The Jordan Times, By Dalya Dajani - AMMAN) Reactions by Western communities against Arab women and families living among them after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on Washington and New York ranked high on the delegates’ agenda at the opening session of the Arab Expatriate Women’s Forum.

The multinational group of leading feminists and gender-equality campaigners from 19 member countries of the Arab League expressed particular concern for Arab and Muslim expatriate communities subjected to harassment.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - AMMAN) As part of her initiatives encouraging youth activities in Jordan, and in support of national efforts conserving the environment, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah participated in the second Arab 'Al-Hussein Environmental and Scouts Camp,' organized in Rusaifeh by the Jordanian Environment Society.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - PARIS) In line with her interest in childhood issues and the safety and protection of children from harm, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah took part in an annual charitable event for children organized by the non-profit organization Fondation pour l'Enfance in Paris.

Proceeds from the 'Ninth International Evening of the Child' in support of child rights worldwide will benefit special programs for the prevention and protection of children from violence.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah saluted the youth's drive to invest in themselves and their country and their efforts to become future leaders in their fields, in a Jordan that encourages initiative and innovation.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah asserted that all segments of society have a role to play in enhancing child welfare, and that each member of the community must take it upon themselves to raise the level of childhood development in Jordan.

"All segments of society have the capacity to take part in raising the level of childhood. We in Jordan take pride in having been able to establish a strong partnership between the active sectors in various social fields.

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Washington, D.C.) - Her Majesty Queen Rania met with US First Lady Laura Bush at the White House to discuss areas of common interest and exchange views on developments--on the humanitarian level--related to the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Her Majesty, on a working visit to the United States, was accompanying His Majesty King Abdullah. Following her meeting at the White House, Queen Rania visited the headquarters of the American Red Cross in Washington, DC, where she met with its President and CEO, Dr. Bernadine Healy.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - VIENNA) On a one-day working trip to Vienna, and with the aim of promoting cross-cultural dialogue, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah visited an Austrian public school that teaches Islam as part of the school curriculum.

Accompanied by Austrian First Lady Dr. Margot Klestil-Loffler, Queen Rania attended a religion class on Islam at Affentl. Hauptschule, and joined in a discussion with students on the Islamic faith and its basic principles of compassion and tolerance.

(Jordan Times , November 7, 2001, By Agencies - LONDON) Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip welcomed Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania to Windsor Castle on the first day of their state visit to Britain.

The monarchs shook hands at Windsor Castle, where King Abdullah and Queen Rania are guests, and were driven in horse-drawn carriages.

Security was high, with police patrolling the nearby River Thames underwater and with boats.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - BEIRUT) On a one-day working visit to Lebanon, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah highlighted the importance that both Jordan and Lebanon place on long-term investment in their citizens.

"Lebanon and Jordan have long believed in human capital investment. Indeed, we both share the realization that a nation's competitive edge depends on the cumulative skills of its citizens," the Queen said in a keynote speech at the Lebanese American University in Beirut.