Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Jordan radio and chauvinism

A comrade in Jordan sent me this:  "There is a very famous radio morning show in Jordan that instils Jordanian chauvinistic sentiments amounting to blunt anti-Palestinian racism sometimes. The radio station is called "Iza'at al qouwwat al mousalaha" the armed forces radio station, of course run by the armed forces. This show is hosted by a famous announcer, Mahmoud Al Hwayan (who by the way has a beautiful radio voice). It is very casual to hear on this station comments like "Ourdouni Assil" (trueborn Jordanian?). The best chauvinistic feelings came during this morning show: Yesterday Jordan won over Australia in the World Cup qualifier, the celebrations went all night, and you could hear on the show this morning very nationalistic comments. They aired this ugly song that says "my mother is Jordanian" non-stop, people texting the station congratulated Jordan for winning over the "Australian Continent"! One offered this victory to the "most beautiful king"!!!! I swear أجمل  ملك he said. This Mahmoud Al Hwayan then out of the blue raised the “issue” of a street name called "freedom street", he said: why not call it unity street or love street? no kidding, he said: because "freedom street" could be misinterpreted and misplaced... The show is very famous, all taxi drivers listen to it in the morning. During the Tafila protests, it was agitating against the protests and calling the protesters criminals.... "