Weekly protests in Jordan warn regime of ‘countdown’

Joradnian protesters' holding banners Weekly protests failed to materialise in the Jordanian capital Amman, on Friday, after a political Islamist movement cancelled the demonstration, in respect of the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Despite the absence of Islamist protesters, there were reports that other political movements continued their demonstrations in other parts of the country.
A coalition of various political movements in Jordan organised sit-ins at governmental buildings in Salt, Tafila, Ajloun, Shobak.  In Tafila a march started after Friday prayers in front of the Great Mosque heading towards the local authority’s offices, demanding comprehensive reform.
The coalition’s spokesman in Tafila said that marchers demanded action against high prices and corruption.
The activists directed their messages to the head of the regime, King Abdullah, saying that the unrest may escalate, leading to the same outcome for Libya and Syria.  They said that the opposition movements are peaceful but that no one can predict the future.
In Irbid – 100 Km north of Amman – another march started from Yarmouk university mosque in support of the Syrian people.  Dozens of  members from the popular and youth coalition movement in Irbid organised a demonstration outside the local authority building Thursday night, in solidarity with detained activist Saud Ajarma who was arrested 20 days ago.  The activists called for his release and demanded a halt to detaining activists and trying them before the state security court.
Elsewhere in Maan, young members of the Reform and Change Coalition took part in a protest they dubbed: ‘Boycott until Constitution Reform’ in front of the Great Maan Mosque after Friday prayers.
The demonstrators addressed the regime saying “we invite the wise regime to learn from the other Arab countries.  It is not too late to implement change but patience has limits and the countdown has begun.”
For its part, the Shobak Movement carried out a protest after Friday prayers in front of the Taqwa mosque, where they spoke about national issues and the recent events in Syria.
One speaker said that during the month of Ramadan, there’s nothing more important than jihad for the sake of reform - as neither the regime nor the government has responded to their demands.  Therefore, they said, they must stay strong and continue until God says otherwise.
Regarding the upcoming parliamentary elections, one of the participants said that elections won’t help as long as the government insist on the ‘one vote law’ and that reform is not possible without major basic amendments to the constitution that establish the next phase.  They said the elections are useless and that Jordanians must not take part.