In a seemingly ill-fated decision, the Amman Governorate and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) decided to close the Friday Abdali market until further notice. An article, which reads more like a press release, suggested that the decision was made due to pollution, drugs, and safety concerns. However rumors have been flying that the Abdali “new downtown” project is looking to also take over this prime real estate and develop it.

Abdali has been an important area of Amman for decades, serving as a city center, community space, and bus station. Recently, the bustling Friday market provided thousands of jobs, cheap food and clothing, and a sense of community among the eclectic group of shoppers. It was not uncommon to see wide-eyed tourists, the Amman affluents, and South Asian laborers sharing their Friday mornings shopping in the market. Tens of thousands of JDs are exchanged hands each Friday. Closing the market will inevitably have a large impact on already struggling Jordanians.

What is your opinion about the market? Was GAM right to shut down the market due to safety concerns? Or is this an attempt to “cleanup” Amman of its lower-class residents? Did the Abdali market add to the character of Amman, or did it detract from it?

Its your turn to have your say.