Encyclopedia of Islam

Jordan

  

407  J

---

of undocumented Iraqi war refugees put even 

the best estimates in doubt. Yet despite these 

anomalies, the life expectancy of the average 

Jordanian of 78.5 years surpasses that of the aver-

age U.S. citizen by one year. Street crime, theft, 

and murders are rare occurrences. Jordan is also 

experimenting with democratic forms of political 

participation both at the state and local levels 

of government. Civil society is expanding and 

nongovernmental organizations are flourishing. 

The government promotes women’s participation 

in government, business, and the public sphere. 

The 

literacy

 rates are among the highest in the 

region. The government has heavily invested in 

making Jordan a center for high-tech, medical, 

and professional services for the whole region. 

English has been introduced as a mandatory 

second language at all levels of the educational 

system. The challenge facing Jordan is how to 

achieve its developmental goals and not be side-

tracked by unresolved conflicts on its borders 

that have serious consequences inside its own 

territory.

See also a

laWi

; a

rab

-i

sraeli

 

conFlicts

; a

rme

-

nians

;  c

hristianity

 

and

  i

slam

;  c

rUsades

; 

democ

-

racy

;  h

Usayn

 

ibn

  a

li

,  s

hariF

;  i

slamism

;  o

ttoman

dynasty

.

Garay Menicucci