A Royal advocate for humanity
Her unwavering presence and strong personality have always been a constant reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right. Through every initiative, response, or action, Queen Rania Al Abdullah manages to be an inspiration to all, shedding light on overlooked humanitarian concerns and fearlessly speaking the truth without bias. Whether she is compassionately sharing heartfelt moments with a young Palestinian boy battling cancer after being evacuated to Amman for treatment, or boldly voicing her opposition to the ‘West’s double standards’ in responding to the crisis in Gaza, Queen Rania’s stances surely urged many to act with empathy and compassion.
The Queen, born in Kuwait to a notable Jordanian family of Palestinian origin, devoted her efforts to empowering women, safeguarding children, and advocating for refugees around the world. Her steadfast commitment to promoting tolerance and cross-cultural dialogue has shattered stereotypes and misconceptions about Arabs and Muslims in the Western world. Al Abdullah’s accomplishments have not only brought significant change but have also served as an inspiration for countless others to follow in her footsteps.
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Queen Rania criticizes media coverage of the ongoing conflict
Since the Gaza war, Queen Rania has been a powerful voice not only in advocating for the Palestinian suffering that has escalated for decades, but she has also fearlessly spoken out against the media’s biased coverage of the ongoing conflict. During an interview with CNN, she accused Western leaders of a “glaring double standard” for not condemning Israel’s carpet bombardment of Gaza, especially when Western interviewers demand that people representing the Palestinian side immediately issue condemnations, requiring them to “have their humanity cross-examined and present their moral credentials”, while on the other hand, we don’t see Israeli officials being asked to condemn, and when they are, people are readily accepted by (claiming) ‘our right to defend ourselves’”, she said. “I have never seen a Western official say the sentence: Palestinians have the right to defend themselves.”
The Queen of Jordan explicitly expressed the Arab World’s shock and disappointment at the global reaction to this disaster. Her powerful message sparked a significant wave of reactions, whether regarding the right of the Palestinian people to defend themselves and live freely and in peace like every other country or condemning the violent practices and human rights violations committed by the Israeli army, targeting civilians in Gaza. “Freedom of speech is apparently a universal value, except when you mention Palestine,” Her Majesty said in an interview, also referring to the risks that the situation in Gaza may pose if civilians continue to be targeted in this way. “I just want to remind the world that Palestinian mothers love their children just as much as any other mother in the world. And for them to have to go through this, it’s just unbelievable.”
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In a heartfelt reflection, the queen of Jordan updated the profile pictures of her verified Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to a black background, mourning the souls of the Palestinian victims in the Gaza Strip, while at the same time, setting a serious tone, recalling a speech she delivered 14 years ago in the midst of a three-week war on Gaza. The video posted on her personal Instagram account, dating back to 2009, has her expressed her deep sorrow that little has changed during that period, “Fourteen years – and five wars – later, it is heartbreaking to see how little has changed. The world cannot remain silent. This has to stop”. She also wrote referring to the Israeli hostile operations in Gaza, “It isn’t self-defense if you are an occupying force”.
A heartfelt moment with pediatric cancer patients from Gaza
lately, a poignant initiative led by the Queen of Jordan to assess the health and well-being of a group of pediatric cancer patients from Gaza has resonated deeply with people sparking strong and influential reactions. Queen Rania visited the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) in Amman, where the children were transferred after the suspension of operations of Gaza’s only cancer hospital during the devastating events. During her visit, the Queen made efforts to alleviate the children’s stress and lift their spirits, “Deprived of their right to urgent care, youngest cancer patients are being forced to contend not only with illness but with the devastating consequences of war”, she wrote on her Instagram account.
As a strong and inspiring advocate for supporting the rights of children, women, and refugees, Queen Rania Al Abdullah’s efforts have been recognized with numerous awards locally, regionally, and globally. She has received the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award in the United States of America, the Andrea Bocelli Humanitarian Award in Italy, and the Walther Rathenau Prize in recognition of her work as an outstanding advocate for peace and understanding between East and West. Queen Rania’s unwavering strength and inspiring personality have made her a true role model, not only for women in the Arab world but also for queens who bear a great responsibility in leading and supporting international initiatives of humanitarian and social concerns. Rania Al Abdullah had a remarkable impact on the lives of many, changing the public perception of the Arab world and promoting values such as peace, tolerance, and acceptance at the national and international levels.
