His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday attended the official national celebration marking Jordan’s 70th Independence Day with Her Majesty Queen Rania and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The national anthem was played upon King Abdullah’s arrival at Raghadan Palace, where the celebration was held, and F-16 jets from the Royal Jordanian Air Force performed an aerobatics show in Amman’s skies.

The celebration — attended by several Royal Family members and senior civil and military officials — featured a presentation titled “The story of Jordan”.

It highlighted Jordan’s development over the past decades, starting from the reign of King Abdullah I, the founder of the Kingdom, to King Talal, who drew up a new liberalised Constitution in 1952, King Hussein, the builder of modern Jordan, and King Abdullah, the leader of achievement, modernisation and development.

It also showed a description of the Great Arab Revolt, under the leadership of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the King’s great grandfather.

The presentation included a salute to His Majesty, celebrating his role in leading the Kingdom on its march towards its centennial.

Crown Prince Hussein was hailed as a leader of a young generation that will contribute to the Kingdom’s future.

The ceremony also included a salute to all Jordanians of all walks of life.

The King awarded medals to national institutions and a number of pioneers in various sectors for their efforts in building the country and enhancing its progress.

Medal recipients

Following is the list of those who received medals on the occasion of the 70th Independence Day:

Water Minister Hazem Nasser — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his efforts in addressing water challenges

Hazem Nasibah — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his work in diplomacy

Mohammad Hamdan — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for his efforts in education

Talal Abu Ghazaleh — Order of Independence of the First Class for his contributions to the economy, education and technical fields

Arab Potash Company — Order of Independence of the First Class for supporting the national economy and employing Jordanians

Sabih Masri — Order of Independence of the First Class for implementing major investment and development projects

Hashemite University — Order of Independence of the First Class for achievements in education and research

Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation — Order of Independence of the First Class for ensuring public health and safety

Jordan Radio — Order of Independence of the First Class for conveying the Kingdom's media message

Pharmacy One Group — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the First Class for supporting the national economy and its social and humanitarian initiatives

Mohammad Khalaileh — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for highlighting the true image of Islam

Shaher Momani — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for his academic contributions in physics and mathematics, and his nomination by the academic elite to receive the Nobel Prize in theoretical physics

Hind Abu Al Shaar — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for her academic achievements in highlighting Jordan's history

Zidan Kafafi — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for documenting the Kingdom's history

The crew of Jordanian film ‘Theeb’ — Order of King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein for Excellence of the Second Class for producing the first Jordanian film to be nominated for an Oscar

Salim Rawajfeh — Order of Independence of the Second Class for his charitable and voluntary work

Omar Khaldi — Order of Independence of the Second Class for establishing free clinics in Mafraq and Amman

Khalid Hneifat — Order of Independence of the Third Class for implementing development projects in Tafileh

Intisar Khalil (posthumously), received by her husband Yassin Khalil — Order of Independence of the Third Class for her devotion in her career at the Education Ministry

Samira Seen — Order of Independence of the Third Class for her contributions to several women empowerment societies in Zarqa

Khalifah Shraideh — Order of Independence of the Third Class for providing care to people with disabilities

Maan Academy for Karate — Order of Independence of the Third Class for focusing on youths and children, and achieving good results in local and regional contests

Rakan Qteishat, Ahmad Nobani and Amer Manaseer — Order of Bravery and Rescue of the Second Class for rescuing people who were stranded in rain floods

Maj. Rashed Zyoud (posthumously), received by his father Maj. Gen. Hussein Zyoud — Order of Dedication and Sacrifice of the Bejewelled Special Class for the bravery he showed during his service in the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army.