Oxford University has awarded King Abdullah II of Jordan an honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law.
The diploma was presented to the king at a ceremony in the Sheldonian theatre on Wednesday. He also received an Honorary Fellowship at Pembroke College where he studied international affairs for a year in the 1980s.
The Chancellor of Oxford University, Lord Patten, warmly welcomed King Abudullah II,describing him at one point as a “a peacemaker in the Middle East.” He added, “Your reputation is built up by achievement… you build bridges of understanding between the Christian and Islamic worlds a peacemaker in the Middle East.”
Upon receiving his honorary degree, King Abdullah II addressed academics, several London-based diplomats, students and the media in the Sheldonian Theatre, focusing on the “urgent need to understand and act upon the threat facing the Middle East today,” and “the need to prevent global disaster by preventing regional disaster” through making Jordan “a contributor to world stability, rather than a source of radiating crisis.”
Particular references were made to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “Our region is in the firing line of extremist ideologies that seek to divide and control,” the king said.
“We meet here today, on a day- June 4th- that resonates in the ears of every Arab. 4 June 1967 marks the last day a Palestinian lived free of occupation… [the start of] 41 years of whip-lashing violence, invasive settlements, a crippled economy and harsh and multiplying restrictions on life. For Israel, it has been 41 years of incessant conflict,” he added.
“While the conflict continues, people on both sides lose. It is time to help people win. For Palestinians, justice and a future, in an independent, sovereign, and viable state. For Israelis, recognition and security.”
Addressing the University directly, King Abdullah II said, “Jordan has taken risks for a future of peace in our region and the world. I hope we can look to the members of this university for intellectual, moral and practical support…I treasure this honorary degree as a symbol of the close relationship between Oxford and the Arab world.”
King Abdullah II also made a visit Pembroke college. A student of the college, Omid Alavijeh commented, “I think it is great that such a busy and excellent king has retained contacts with the university.
“He also is a man who is always pushing for democracy and economic reform. An ally of the West is an ally to Oxford I guess.”
