Princess Sarvath
Encyclopedia
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Princess Sarvath El Hassan (née Sarvath Ikramullah) is the wife of Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. She was born in Calcutta on 24 July 1947, to a prominent Muslim
family of the Indian subcontinent
.
, was a senior member of the Indian Civil Service in the Government of India
prior to Partition
. He went on to join the Partition Committee of Muhammad Ali Jinnah
, later becoming Pakistan
's first Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs
and Ambassador
to Canada
, France
, Portugal
and the United Kingdom
. His last post was as Chairman of the Commonwealth Economic Committee. Her mother, the late Kolkata-born Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah
, was a writer and one of Pakistan
's first two female members of Parliament. Begum
Ikramullah also served as Ambassador to Morocco
and several times a delegate
to the United Nations
.
The Princess' paternal uncle, Mohammad Hidayatullah, was Vice-President of India and her maternal uncle, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
, was Prime Minister
of Pakistan. Some of her other ancestors were Quraishi
, include members of the Chishti Order
, as well as the Iranian
Sufi
philosopher, Shaikh Shabuddin Yahya Suhrawardy
. Many of her male and female forebearers, on both sides of her family, were poet
s, writer
s and academics. She lived in all the countries that her parents were posted to, but mostly received her education in Britain, such as at the University of Cambridge
. She first met Prince Hassan in London
in 1958, when they were both 11 years old.
, in Karachi
, Pakistan
on 28 August 1968. They live in one of the oldest houses in Amman
and have four children:
. She initiated, sponsored and continues to support many projects and activities in Jordan, mainly in the field of education
, in addition to issues pertaining to women and the family
, social welfare and health
. For example, much of her work focuses on promoting education about various topics (both locally and internationally), assisting disadvantaged women, encouraging community service
and helping people with mental
and learning disabilities
.
There have been tensions between Princess Sarvath and her sister-in-law, Queen Noor. The tensions between the Queen, who wanted her own son Hamzah
to be proclaimed Crown Prince, and the then Crown Princess Sarvath were exacerbated by the matter of succession during the last days of King Hussein's life. According to off-the-record briefings by anonymous palace officials in Amman, a rumour based story was being circulated that Princess Sarvath had drawn up plans for a redecoration of the entire Jordanian Royal Apartment, before King Hussein
had even died of cancer. This allegedly occurring while the King was undergoing chemotherapy in the United States
and Prince Hassan was running the country in his place. On the contrary, other sources state that the Princess actually gave orders for some state apartments to be spruced up, in preparing to receive a foreign delegation. Furthermore, certain accounts imply that only a kitchen was renovated for the visit of Germany
's then President
, Roman Herzog
, who was traveling with his native cook.
Some people also believe that the Princess' Pakistani roots, may have (partly) been an obstacle in reference to ascending the throne (along with her husband) and becoming Queen. Others hold the viewpoint, that the succession change had to do with completely different reasons.
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Princess Sarvath El Hassan (née Sarvath Ikramullah) is the wife of Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan. She was born in Calcutta on 24 July 1947, to a prominent Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
family of the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
.
Family
Her father, the late Bhopal-born Mohammed IkramullahMohammed Ikramullah
Mohammad Ikramullah KCMG was a prominent figure in the administration of Pakistan at the time of independence. As a member of the provisional government of Pakistan, before the independence, he was Secretary and Advisor at the Ministries of Commerce, Information and Broadcasting, Commonwealth...
, was a senior member of the Indian Civil Service in the Government of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
prior to Partition
Partition of India
The Partition of India was the partition of British India on the basis of religious demographics that led to the creation of the sovereign states of the Dominion of Pakistan and the Union of India on 14 and 15...
. He went on to join the Partition Committee of Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....
, later becoming Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
's first Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
for Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs is an American magazine and website on international relations and U.S. foreign policy published since 1922 by the Council on Foreign Relations six times annually...
and Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. His last post was as Chairman of the Commonwealth Economic Committee. Her mother, the late Kolkata-born Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah
Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah
Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah , was a prominent Pakistani female politician, diplomat and author. She was the Ambassador of Pakistan to many countries.-Family and education:...
, was a writer and one of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
's first two female members of Parliament. Begum
Begum
Begum, Begam or Baigum is a Turkic title given to female family members of a Baig or 'Beg', a higher official. The term Begum is derived from the word Beg, and means a female member of the Beg's family.Also used Begzadi, for Ex...
Ikramullah also served as Ambassador to Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and several times a delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
.
The Princess' paternal uncle, Mohammad Hidayatullah, was Vice-President of India and her maternal uncle, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was a Pakistani-Bengali politician and statesman who served as 5th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1956 till 1957, and a close associate of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan, first Prime minister of Pakistan...
, was Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Pakistan. Some of her other ancestors were Quraishi
Quraishi
Quraishi , is a family name that originates from Arabs in Saudi Arabia, particularly from the city of Mecca.- Lineage :...
, include members of the Chishti Order
Chishti Order
The Chishtī Order is a Sufi order within the mystic branches of Islam which was founded in Chisht, a small town near Herat, Afghanistan about 930 CE. The Chishti Order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness. The doctrine of the Chishti Order is based on walāya, which is a...
, as well as the Iranian
Iranian peoples
The Iranian peoples are an Indo-European ethnic-linguistic group, consisting of the speakers of Iranian languages, a major branch of the Indo-European language family, as such forming a branch of Indo-European-speaking peoples...
Sufi
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
philosopher, Shaikh Shabuddin Yahya Suhrawardy
Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi
Other important Muslim mystics carry the name Suhrawardi, particularly Abu 'l-Najib al-Suhrawardi and his paternal nephew Abu Hafs Umar al-Suhrawardi."Shahāb ad-Dīn" Yahya ibn Habash as-Suhrawardī was a Persian...
. Many of her male and female forebearers, on both sides of her family, were poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
s, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
s and academics. She lived in all the countries that her parents were posted to, but mostly received her education in Britain, such as at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. She first met Prince Hassan in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1958, when they were both 11 years old.
Marriage and children
Princess Sarvath married Prince Hassan bin Talal of JordanJordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
on 28 August 1968. They live in one of the oldest houses in Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
and have four children:
- Princess RahmaPrincess Rahma bint El HassanPrincess Rahma bint El Hassan was born on August 13, 1969 in Amman, Jordan. Her father is Prince Hassan bin Talal and her mother is Princess Sarvath El Hassan.- Education :* International Community School* Sherborne School for Girls...
(born 13 August 1969) - Princess SumayaPrincess Sumaya bint El HassanPrincess Sumaya bint El Hassan is a member of the Jordanian royal family. She was born in Amman, Jordan. Her father is Prince Hassan bin Talal and her mother is Princess Sarvath El Hassan.-Education:* International Community School...
(born 14 May 1971) - Princess BadiyaPrincess Badiya bint El HassanPrincess Badiya bint El Hassan was born on March 28, 1974 in Amman, Jordan. Her father is Prince Hassan bin Talal and her mother is Princess Sarvath El Hassan.-Education:* Amman Baccalaureate School* Sherborne School for Girls...
(born 28 March 1974) - Prince Rashid (born 20 May 1979)
Career and controversy
Princess Sarvath served as Crown Princess of Jordan for over 30 years, as the wife of the Crown PrinceCrown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
. She initiated, sponsored and continues to support many projects and activities in Jordan, mainly in the field of education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, in addition to issues pertaining to women and the family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
, social welfare and health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
. For example, much of her work focuses on promoting education about various topics (both locally and internationally), assisting disadvantaged women, encouraging community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
and helping people with mental
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
and learning disabilities
Learning disability
Learning disability is a classification including several disorders in which a person has difficulty learning in a typical manner, usually caused by an unknown factor or factors...
.
There have been tensions between Princess Sarvath and her sister-in-law, Queen Noor. The tensions between the Queen, who wanted her own son Hamzah
Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein
Prince Hamzah bin Al Hussein of Jordan is the son of the late King Hussein of Jordan from his American-born fourth wife, Queen Noor al-Hussein. He was named Crown Prince of Jordan in 1999, a position he held until it was rescinded in 2004 by his half-brother, King Abdullah II of Jordan...
to be proclaimed Crown Prince, and the then Crown Princess Sarvath were exacerbated by the matter of succession during the last days of King Hussein's life. According to off-the-record briefings by anonymous palace officials in Amman, a rumour based story was being circulated that Princess Sarvath had drawn up plans for a redecoration of the entire Jordanian Royal Apartment, before King Hussein
Hussein of Jordan
Hussein bin Talal was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death. Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict...
had even died of cancer. This allegedly occurring while the King was undergoing chemotherapy in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Prince Hassan was running the country in his place. On the contrary, other sources state that the Princess actually gave orders for some state apartments to be spruced up, in preparing to receive a foreign delegation. Furthermore, certain accounts imply that only a kitchen was renovated for the visit of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's then President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, Roman Herzog
Roman Herzog
Roman Herzog is a German politician as a member of the Christian Democratic Union, and served as President of Germany from 1994 to 1999...
, who was traveling with his native cook.
Some people also believe that the Princess' Pakistani roots, may have (partly) been an obstacle in reference to ascending the throne (along with her husband) and becoming Queen. Others hold the viewpoint, that the succession change had to do with completely different reasons.
Organizations
(Former) Member of the:- Council of UNESCO's International Fund for the Promotion of Culture
- Council of Foundation of the International Baccalaureate OrganizationInternational Baccalaureate OrganizationThe International Baccalaureate , formerly the International Baccalaureate Organization , is an international educational foundation headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and founded in 1968. IB offers three educational programmes for children ages 3–19.The organization's name and logo were changed...
- International Board of Voluntary Services Overseas
- International Board of the United World CollegesUnited World CollegesUWC is an education movement comprising thirteen international schools and colleges, national committees in over 130 countries and a series of short educational programmes. The UWC movement aims to make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future...
(present)
Patron of the:
- Young Muslim Women’s Association since 1972
- Malath Foundation for Humanistic Care
- Jordanian Charity Association for PhenylketonuriaPhenylketonuriaPhenylketonuria is an autosomal recessive metabolic genetic disorder characterized by a mutation in the gene for the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase , rendering it nonfunctional. This enzyme is necessary to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine to the amino acid tyrosine...
- Jordanian OsteoporosisOsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...
Prevention Society
Chairwoman of the:
- 'El Hassan Bin Talal Award for Academic Excellence' committee
- National Selection Committee for the John F. Kennedy School of GovernmentJohn F. Kennedy School of GovernmentThe John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
Middle East Educational FellowshipScholarshipA scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
(Vice) President of the:
- Jordan Red Crescent Society from 1994 to 2004 – Honorary VP
- Arab Society for Learning Difficulties since 2001 – Honorary President
- Centre for PhoneticsPhoneticsPhonetics is a branch of linguistics that comprises the study of the sounds of human speech, or—in the case of sign languages—the equivalent aspects of sign. It is concerned with the physical properties of speech sounds or signs : their physiological production, acoustic properties, auditory...
Research at the University of JordanUniversity of JordanThe University of Jordan , is a government-supported University located in Amman, Jordan...
– President
Founded the:
- Jordanian United World Colleges National Committee and chaired it from 1981 to 1995
- Amman Baccalaureate SchoolAmman Baccalaureate SchoolThe Amman Baccalaureate School is a school in Jordan founded in 1981. Students generally come from the upper class of Jordanian society. Student enrollment is around 1000 students, with 153 teaching staff and 102 ancillary staff.-Student life:...
and has chaired its Board of TrusteeTrusteeTrustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
s since 1981
Awards
- The Order of the Precious CrownOrder of the Precious CrownThe Order of the Precious Crown is a Japanese order, established on January 4, 1888 by Emperor Meiji of Japan. Originally the order had five classes, but on April 13, 1896 the sixth, seventh and eighth classes were added....
of JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(1988) - The Grand Cordon of the Jewelled Order of the Renaissance (Al Nahda), bestowed by the late King Hussein (1994)
- The Woman of Peace Award, granted by the RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
-based Together for Peace Foundation (1995) - The Abu Bakr Al Sadik Medal from the Arab Red CrescentInternational Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementThe International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
and Red CrossInternational Red Cross and Red Crescent MovementThe International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
Societies (1996) - The degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causaHonorary degreeAn honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
from the University of New BrunswickUniversity of New BrunswickThe University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
(1999) - The Hilal-i-ImtiazHilal-i-ImtiazThe Hilal-i-Imtiaz, English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: هلال ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers of the State of Pakistan|Pakistan armed forces by the Government of Pakistan...
award from PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
(2002)
Interests
Princess Sarvath speaks several languages, including ArabicArabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. Her hobbies include reading, embroidery
Embroidery
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
, cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
and gardening
Gardening
Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants. Ornamental plants are normally grown for their flowers, foliage, or overall appearance; useful plants are grown for consumption , for their dyes, or for medicinal or cosmetic use...
. She also enjoys various outdoor activities, including skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
. The Princess is Honorary President of the Jordanian Badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
Federation and was the first woman in Jordan to obtain a black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon means "to strike or break with fist"; and do means "way", "method", or "path"...
.