Jara 2011 opens its doors on May 13

The Jabal Amman Residents Association (Jara) announced today that Souk Jara 2011 will open its doors on Friday May 13 until the end of summer, welcoming guests every Friday at its well-known location in Jabal Amman. Souk Jara will offer a variety of family-oriented activities including games for kids, delicious treats, musical concerts and films and plenty of good deals on handcrafts, antiquities and home-made items.

His Excellency Mr. Zaid Qussous, President of the Jara executive committee stated, “Jara believes it has a social role and responsibility towards its community. With that said, this year the organizers are giving local charities, women working from home, and owners of small and simple businesses the chance to present and promote their products to a large customer base by providing them with designated corners at Souk Jara. Some of the associations we are supporting include Gaza Camp Women Association, Tamweelkom, and Princess Basma Youth Resource Center among many others”.

Mr. Khader Al Qawas, a member of the Jara executive committee, stated, “We are transforming this year’s Souk Jara to make it the most anticipated family event of the summer. Every week Souk Jara's Theater will be transformed from a stage with a band to a whole new experience we now call: 'Jara Storytellers'; a place where artists perform in front of an intimate audience, and tell stories about their music, their writing experiences & memories.”

Mr. Qawas added, “The entertaining Souk Jara lineup for the next 4 weeks will be announced on the radio, in newspapers and on social media to give visitors a better chance of marking their calendars and catching the shows.”

Referring to Umniah's interest in sponsoring Souk Jara 2011, CEO Mr. Ihab Hinnawi explained that the company actively supports events which help empower small business entrepreneurs to promote their businesses and ensure their sustainability. "Umniah is keen on bringing Jordan's rich culture to the fore by partnering with the Jabal Amman Residents Association. Old Amman has much to offer in terms of historic and aesthetic value, and we'd like to help showcase that as well as bolster the role of local handcrafts and artwork as commodities that contribute to the local economy," he added.

To ensure a smooth and successful event, the organizing committee is coordinating with the Greater Amman Municipality, the Central Traffic Department and the Public Security Directorate to guarantee that all Jara activities do not cause any disturbances or unordinary traffic in the area.

As part of their efforts in highlighting Amman as a significant events destination, the distinguished entities that have confirmed their support and sponsorship of Souk Jara 2011 include Umniah as the Platinum Sponsor, as well as  Jo Bedu, Nescafe, iRelations and iHost; and the media partners include Spin Jordan, Ayyam, Go Magazine, Layalina, Trendesign, Mahalatuna and Review Amman. 

The Jabal Amman Residents Association (Jara) was established in July 2004, by the local residents of the old neighborhood of Jabal Amman, to maintain and preserve its identity and ethnicity. The objectives of Jara include creating awareness and belonging through the association to the residents of Jabal Amman by implementing a spirit of cooperation and loyalty to the best interest of the area and its residents; nurturing the urban and social fabrics of the area in all aspects: traditional, architectural and historical; maintaining and restoring old residences in order to preserve and highlight the area’s historical value; helping in numbering and classifying old buildings, and providing guidance and support to local residents; establishing cooperative programs to develop and enhance the economic, cultural and touristic values of the area; raising awareness about the value of the area among the local residents; and highlighting Amman as the events destination, building on the experience and reputation gained.