Amman- 17 August 2022
The Greater Amman Municipality and the German Jordanian University (GJU) signed an extension to the cooperation agreement between the two parties to restore and rehabilitate the residence of former Prime Minister Ibrahim Hashem in Jabal Amman.
The Mayor of Amman, Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, and the President of GJU, Prof. Ala’aldeen Alhalhouli, signed the agreement, which states the extension of the university's use of the late Ibrahim Hashem's house and the surrounding squares owned by the Amman Municipality, for the university's benefit.
The agreement embodies the partnership with the German Jordanian University and the local community within the Municipality's plans and efforts to protect the cultural and historical heritage of Amman by preserving the city's heritage landmarks, especially the homes, and restoring its brilliance to remain in the memory of the homeland and future generations.
The university restored and rehabilitated the house per the restoration and rehabilitation agreement signed with the Municipality in 2014.
Dr. Al-Shawarbeh said that the agreement is a documentation of the rise of our beloved Jordan, the occurrences it went through, and the people of historical and patriotic stands that contributed to building Jordan and were trusted by the Hashemite leadership.
Shawarbeh added that the Municipality is proud of the cooperation with the GJU and the successful partnership with all sectors in our beloved country in a way that serves the efforts of reviving the city of Amman and preserving its heritage buildings.
For his part, Dr. Al-Halhouli said that choosing this ancient site was strategic and included an academic dimension to serve the students of the School of Architecture and Environment (SABE) and graduate students as the place holds a great architectural legacy and narrates the art of architecture for decades.
Dr. Al-Halhouli added that this site embodies GJU's role toward community service through the Consultation and Training Center (CTC), the Visual Rehabilitation Center (VRC), and the Road Safety Center of Excellence (RSCE), in addition to contributing to the revival of the surroundings and boosting commercial activities.
Arch. Tala Mukhaimer, a member of the restoration project team, delivered a presentation on the political and historical importance of the house, the interior designs, and the stages of the restoration process.
At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Al-Halhouli presented the university shield to the Mayor of Amman in appreciation of the Municipality's efforts in supporting the academic sectors, where Dr. Shawarbeh handed a copy of the book "The Story of People and Hills" to the president. The book reflects the identity of Amman in all its details.
It is noteworthy that the former Prime Minister Ibrahim Hashem is one of the men of the first generation, and he formed five governments, the last of which was in 1957. He was the president of the third and fourth Senate in Jordan.
The house was built in the twenties of the last century, distinguished by its location overlooking the downtown area and the historic citadel. Arches in doors and windows are the main characters of the house.
