Amman – Leila Karkour Milhilard.org

Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Raad bin Zeid, Chief Chamberlain of the Royal Court and Chairman of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Alliance Academy Jordan (AAJ) celebrated the graduation of its third class of students on Friday. The ceremony was held at the academy’s headquarters in the Yadouda area, amidst an atmosphere of joy and pride, and in the presence of the graduates’ families, the head of the Evangelical Christian Union Church (the academy’s owner), Reverend Munther Shahatit , members of the Board of Trustees, the Governor of the Qweismeh District, Osama Al-Hashem, and prominent educational and social figures.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the event’s patron, Dr. Mayada Al-Natour , Director General of the Royal Academy for Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities, praised the pioneering role of the Jordanian Alliance Academy as a “distinguished model” for inclusive schools in the Kingdom. Dr. Al-Natour stated, “The Academy has successfully translated the values of justice, equality, and equal opportunities through educational practices that embrace diversity and believe in the abilities of all its students without exception. Undoubtedly, the successes and achievements we witness today are the fruit of an educational vision that believes we are working to create a more understanding and cohesive society .”

Salam Madanat , recalled the Academy’s vision, emphasizing every child’s right to a distinguished education, without discrimination or categorization. Madanat stated, “The founder’s vision was based on providing distinguished education not only to the wealthy, the intelligent, and the healthy, but also to every child, because every child deserves an opportunity to grow, learn, and succeed. Therefore, we have always believed in a home that accommodates both the capable and the struggling, those who need more time, greater support, or a wider scope, without marginalization or categorization, within our capabilities and capacity .”

In her speech, Madanat warned of the contemporary challenges facing genuine human relationships amid rapid change, emphasizing that the academy’s mission extends beyond academic education and inclusion to the preservation of values and principles. She said: “The world today is rapidly moving towards modernization and development, but unfortunately, it is also heading towards chaos and imbalance, to the point that disintegration is called freedom, and deviation from principles is called diversity. The device has become the counselor, the screen the friend, and the references come from posts and books by unknown authors. It is an era in which humanity is surrounded by more means of communication than ever, while genuine human relationships are also more threatened than ever before .”

The inclusion graduation of student Saba Hijazin , with a severe physical disability, and his receipt of a ‘Certificate of Exceptional Achievement,’ showcased the academy’s success in fostering colleague Maya Al-Faraj , who was met with enthusiastic applause and inspired admiration among all present.

For her part, the school principal, Ms. Jumana Akkawi , congratulated the graduates, saying, “You are the pride of your families, the hope of your nation, and the promise of the future.” Akkawi highlighted the ongoing development in the school’s educational journey, stating, “As we celebrate today the fruits of this shared effort, we continue our confident progress towards development. This year marked our initial launch of the ‘American curriculum Program,’ which we began with small but steady and confident steps forward, driven by our belief in the necessity of providing the best educational opportunities for our students and empowering them with the knowledge, skills, and values that befit their future .”

In his speech on behalf of the Board of Trustees, lawyer Khaldoun Salayta delivered an encouraging message to the graduates, urging them to actively contribute to building the nation, saying: “You are now entering a new phase that requires effort, determination, and faith that nothing is impossible, but everything is possible with effort, and everything is possible with perseverance and diligence. Always remember that Jordan needs you, it needs conscious, educated youth capable of being part of the solution, not part of the problem .”

In private meetings with outstanding students from the third graduating class, the profound impact of the academy’s educational environment on their identities and futures became evident.

Graduate Jonathan Madain , who received a certificate of musical excellence and has a long-standing connection to the academy as one of its first students, expressed mixed and moving feelings on his graduation day, saying: “My feelings are very mixed between joy, sadness, and anxiety. This place is a big part of my identity; I have lived here all my years, and a deep bond has formed among me, the teachers, the administration, and my friends. The proudest moment I have ever experienced was the moment our graduation was announced; I felt all my memories flash before my eyes like a flashback, and I became a child again on my first day. I will never forget this school, and I will visit it often .”

Regarding the academy’s impact on developing his talent and personality, Jonathan adds, “The school was my second source of support after my family, and it taught me that singing and music carry a meaningful message to glorify God. The academy instilled in us the values of the Three Rs: Respect, Relationships, and Responsibility. These principles are what built my personality and taught me how to be kind and listen to others, and I give all the credit for that, after God, to the school .”

For her part, graduating student Karen Nasrawi , who received a certificate of academic excellence, described the feelings of graduation as a strange mixture of overwhelming joy and poignant farewell tears. She said, “Graduation was a dream I had long awaited, and now I feel indescribable pride and relief after the years of hard work. The real joy is the beginning of a new journey that awaits me with great enthusiasm. School is the place that shaped the features of my personality today; the teaching staff was my compass, and my friends were the support during difficult times and the laughter of beautiful moments .”

Regarding the secret to her academic excellence, Karen affirms that mutual belief was the true fuel for her success, saying: “Excellence was not an individual effort, but rather a partnership of love and mutual appreciation between the teaching staff and me. The great belief I saw in the eyes of my teachers in my abilities always motivated me to give my best, and their supportive looks and confidence in difficult confrontations and challenges are what turned fatigue into passion, and lessons into a success that I cherish with all my heart .”

At the end of the ceremony, certificates were handed out to the graduating students, amid wishes from the administrative and teaching staff for a future full of success and excellence.

• Saba Hijazin
• Zaid Al-Masri
• Natalie Batarseh
• Mira Khalif
• Jonathan Madain
• Musa Ubaid
• Karen Nasrawi
• Lia Al-Qadi
• Maya Al-Faraj
• Hani became
• Furat Al-Masri
• Omar Ismail