At a global event commonly connected with innovation, technology, art, creativity and future, Her Majesty Queen Rania addressed a much more basic topic, the ability humans have to carry weight.

 

Her Speech at SXSW London followed moments in which many people are experiencing huge overwhelming events in many parts of the world, which, at times, are very difficult to process because they seem to be so great, so brutal, or so fast. Here in our region, the “weight” is more immediate, for example, the suffering in Gaza, instability in the Middle East, refugees and displaced people from their homeland, impoverished populations, and loss of hope in the international system of justice. In addition to that, beyond the region, the entire world carries the pressure and burden of climate anxiety, increasing inequalities, disruptive technologies, racism, and an increasing inability to communicate effectively within our communities.

 

The power of Queen Rania’s speech lay not only in her identification of the heaviness, but also because she raised an even more difficult question: are we becoming too weak to carry the moral burdens of our age?

 

Her Majesty’s metaphor of atrophy was especially striking. Muscles lose their strength when they are not used. Societies work in much the same way. If we do not have difficult discussions, we lose the ability to have them. If we look away from the pain of others, we become less able to feel compassion for them. Finally, if we allow judges to use algorithms or slogans or identity groups to make their decisions, we ultimately surrender the discipline of moral reasoning.

 

Queen Rania’s way of describing the spiritual ramifications of technology on our bodies and minds through the use of the term “tech-neck” is enlightening. We are all hunched over our devices, but it’s not just a physical position; we’re also feeling weighed down emotionally, mentally, and spiritually by the barrage of content that is meant to enrage and divide us and ultimately leave us feeling drained.

 

In this worldwide discussion of human rights, Her Majesty’s speech encompassed an evidently Jordanian input to the surrounding world. The principles of the Jordanian people, namely: community, discipline, humility and service, are much more than simple ideals, they are the daily realities of a people taking on more responsibility than either their size or their resources can support. Jordanians have welcomed millions of refugees into their borders, they have provided humanitarian aid, and, when the odds are against them, they continually behave in a manner that promotes moderation and dignity.

 

It doesn’t suggest that Jordan is perfect, nor do all those who honestly reflect nationally need to suggest that. However, the strength of Jordan has often come from a refusal to let scarcity become an excuse for indifference. The people of Jordan, whether living in villages, cities, organizations established for charitable purposes, or working in hospitals, schools, and universities, have continuously demonstrated through their actions that having compassion is not measured only by wealth, but rather by willingness.

 

That willingness is urgently needed today. Everyday Jordanian people are donating, volunteering to help, talking, organizing and praying for the suffering in Gaza. Medical teams have provided medical coverage at field hospitals.

 

Perhaps the main point of Queen Rania’s speech was how Her Majesty described Tawakkul (to have trust in Allah). Far too often, many people associate having faith in Allah with being idle, therefore, they consider having faith means they should sit back and wait for history to happen and unfold. However, Tawakkul when defined properly is not an act of submission. It is having the ability to take action without becoming arrogant. It is putting forth the effort but does not give one the false sense of total control. Tawakkul is discipline to do what you can, and it is humility to understand you may not be able to control what will ultimately result from your actions.

 

The world is indeed heavy, but can also challenge us as to how far we are willing to push ourselves for the sake of providing strength. By demonstrating that Tawakkul is more than just surrendering, Queen Rania gives us a message that is closely tied to our beliefs and urgently matters to the present, we must lift what we can, together, again and again, and trust that sincere effort is never wasted.

 

Mwaffaq Otoom is former vice president of Yarmouk University