Royal Hashemite Documentation Center Protects 9 Million Jordanian Documents Over Two Decades - Jordan News

Jordan News

6 hours ago

Royal Hashemite Documentation Center Protects 9 Million Jordanian Documents Over Two Decades Over the past 20 years, since the Royal Decree establishing the Royal Hashemite Documentation Center (RHDC), the institution has emerged as one of the key guardians of Jordan's history. It has reawakened the past, vividly recounting its stories while connecting it to the present and future, and has successfully preserved over 9 million documents related to Jordan's history spanning more than 150 years. اضافة اعلان Within the center, major achievements are evident, including the digitization of more than 7 million documents from the Land and Survey Department, over 112,000 documents from the Emirate era (Hashemite Royal Court), more than 50,000 documents from the Prime Ministry, and around 87,000 documents from royal and secondary school archives. The center also holds large collections of photographs and special collections from individuals, universities, and media outlets. It has restored approximately 370,000 documents, records, and manuscripts, and archived more than 107,000 documents through its electronic archiving system. Notably, the RHDC restored 3,705 personal documents from the childhood and youth of the late Prime Minister Wasfi Al-Tal, along with six volumes of his daily journals comprising 538 pages—each rich in historical content. The RHDC was established in 2005 under a Royal Decree at the Hashemite Royal Court, under the supervision of HRH Prince Ali bin Nayef, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The center aims to preserve the national and Hashemite historical memory, document the Hashemites' history, especially in Jordan and other countries they served, conduct historical research, and publish rare manuscripts and personal memoirs of historical figures. It also works to protect the noble lineage of the Prophet and those connected to it, and focuses on modern Jordanian history across political, social, cultural, and economic dimensions. The center has become renowned for its expertise in archival and restoration projects in collaboration with multiple governmental institutions, including the Royal Court, the Prime Ministry, the Land and Survey Department, the Chief Islamic Justice Department, the Cities and Villages Development Bank, the Ministries of Education and Awqaf, various public universities, Al-Rai newspaper, the National Library, Wasfi Al-Tal's estate, the Arabic Language Academy, the Orthodox Church, the Civil Service Bureau, the Civil Status and Passports Department, and the Department of Antiquities. Former Minister of Government Communications and current RHDC Director Dr. Muhannad Al-Mubaidin explained that the center follows international standards and best practices in document restoration, binding, and digitization. The process begins in a specialized lab where documents are meticulously restored using advanced tools and a highly trained team. Despite advances in technology, manual restoration remains superior due to its rarity, quality, and the expertise it requires, preserving both historical and artistic value. Modern restoration methods are also used, particularly for rare printed materials and stable-ink documents. For damaged or decayed manuscripts, natural materials are applied to reinforce and mend fragile paper, restore elasticity and strength, and protect against external factors—often using thermal reinforcement systems tailored to the document's paper and ink. The RHDC plays a vital role in publishing rare documents and filling historical gaps with accurate narratives that strengthen national memory and support scholarly research. To date, the center has published more than 31 historical books, covering diverse topics including: The Virtues of the Cloak Bearers, Notables of the Hashemite Lineage, The Art of Arabic Calligraphy, Jordan Through Ottoman Archive Documents (a first of its kind), The National Determination Story, Popular Participation in State Building, The Disengagement Decision, Jordanian Administration in Palestine, and more. To commemorate Jordan's Independence Day, the RHDC published The Independence Newspaper on May 25, 2024, showcasing the independence decree, congratulatory telegrams, and rare documents. A special bulletin released in May 2025 included other rare documents on independence coverage in both Arab and Western media—such as The Jordan newspaper and The New York Times—alongside previously unpublished official decisions and telegrams. Recognizing that culture and Raghdan Palace are twin pillars of Amman, the RHDC launched Raghdan, a peer-reviewed academic journal for historical and documentation studies. Four issues have been published, featuring 17 diverse research papers and documents. To keep pace with technological advancement, the center launched a proprietary indexing and archiving system—the first of its kind fully owned by a Jordanian governmental institution. It supports efficient data retrieval and knowledge sharing across ministries and institutions and hosts regular training courses in modern document management and security for both physical and digital records. The RHDC's strong connection to historical documentation has enabled it to forge local and international partnerships. It is a member of the International Council on Archives (ICA), the Arab Regional Branch (Arbica), and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). Dr. Mubaidin now serves as First Vice President of the Arbica Executive Council, in recognition of his leadership in developing archival capabilities. The center has also documented pivotal moments in Jordan's political history. It recorded the formation of Jordan's first government on April 11, 1921, under the name 'Government of the Arab East,' reflecting the pan-Arab sentiment of its members. The Council of Ministers was then called the 'Council of Advisors,' and its members 'Advisors,' with Rashid Tali'a appointed as its first President. Furthermore, the center documented the formation of Jordan's third government, led by Midhat Arslan, based on a rare handwritten document by the late King Abdullah I (then Prince Abdullah), dated August 11, 1921. The document reflects the format of cabinet formations of that era, known as 'Council of Advisors,' and includes the appointment of multiple advisors across various departments. The RHDC has also preserved significant milestones in Jordanian women's history, including: The 1945 application to establish the Jordanian Women's Union in Amman, The official founding document of the Union dated February 11, 1945, A 1974 document granting women the right to vote in parliamentary elections, issued by the late King Hussein, A 1979 document marking the appointment of In'am Al-Mufti as Jordan's first female minister, Documentation of women's participation in the 16th Senate (1989), And the election of the first female Member of Parliament in 1993. Dr. Mubaidin emphasized that the center is a vital hub for restoring the past and documenting the present—both visually and through rigorous research. It lays the groundwork for a comprehensive national archive, deserving of greater support to fulfill its ambitious vision for Jordan's future.
--Barakat Al-Zayoud -- (Petra)