A Different Kind of Jihad
Aug 1, 2008 | Published under: Arab World, Discover Jordan, Featured, Features, Interviews
By Ramsey G. Tesdell and Mariam A. Adas
AMMAN - “You have to be prepared,” Mostafa Salameh said one recent evening in Amman as the sun set. Years of running, swimming, and mental and physical preparation to climb to the highest point on the Earth, not to mention a heart rate of 40 beats per minute, Salameh is prepared for just about any physical endurance test you can throw at him.
We decided to see how ready he was when we surprised him with an impromptu interview in one of Amman’s posh cafes. He didn’t fail to impress with a deluge of stories and opinions.
“I was very emotional when I reached the top,” he told 7iber.com. “My first thought was how beautiful it was and my second thought was how I’m going to get down.”
Salameh became the first Jordanian to reach the summit of Everest, and in the process has become an 
experienced climber. He has reached the summits of the tallest mountains on the seven continents, known as the Seven Summits, and has set his sights on the North and South Pole.
At the top of the world, he spoke with His Majesty King Abdallah II and his parents saying he made it to the top. Despite being his third attempt, scaling 28,000 feet of snow and ice - and the frozen remnants of those who didn’t make it to the top, their bodies left to nature - is nothing to scoff at.
Reaching the summit of Everest is no easy feat; but add to it that he smuggled a Tibetan flag through numerous Chinese checkpoints along the way. At the top, he flew the Tibetan flag with “Free Tibet” and “Free Palestine” written on it. For his courageous act, he is now banned from China.
Despite being the first Jordanian to summit Everest, he’s had trouble finding Jordanian support for his next adventure and he isn’t shy about letting his discontents known. After returning to Amman from the summit, there was no welcoming party waiting for him. There has been no meeting with the King or any country-level recognition.
Despite claims of not being appreciated however, magazines - including JO and VIVA - and newspaper in Jordan written about Salameh’s attempts to climb Everest. JO magazine put him on the cover twice.
His toe was severely frost-bitten and required a surgery in order not to lose it. After an offer from the Prime Minister didn’t come through, Salameh’s family had to sell land to afford the medical procedure. In the end, Prince Ali, who has supported Salameh from the beginning, covered the costs of the procedure.
In fact, Princess Reem, Princess Haya, and Prince Ali are some of the few who have supported the climber’s dream of the Seven Summits by offering financial and moral support.
“I do this because I’m concerned about the environment. I’ve contacted schools here to talk about my trip and incorporate environmental awareness,” Salameh said. “I believe in it - for the children of Jordan. We can change the mentality that we are destined to fail.”
“We can follow our dreams and succeed as Jordanians. Success is not only for the west,” Salameh insisted.
His motivation for climbing is part adventure-seeking and part spreading a better image of the Arab world.
“As a Muslim. As an Arab. As a Jordanian; we are not terrorists. I’ve met lots of people and share my experience as an Arab with them. This is jihadi. This is my jihad. An environmental jihad,” said Salameh.
Pictures courtesy of Mostafa Salameh.
7i·ber: [he-bur] - noun, 1. Arabic for ink 2. Citizen journalism 3. Digital ink 4. Jordanian 5. People-powered 6. Youth-powered 7. Informative 8. A 
9 Comment(s)
By Farah on Aug 2, 2008 | Reply
What an amazing acccomplishment. It’s a shame he’s not receiving more support.
By Mariam on Aug 3, 2008 | Reply
Great Accomplishment indeed… We wish him success and the chance to achieve all his ambitious dreams.
By Greg on Sep 3, 2008 | Reply
Very glad to read this article! I’m in Jordan for 1 year studying Arabic and hopefully learning a lot about the Jordanian culture…this is the type of story I want to read. It is too bad to hear that his national support isn’t too strong! Keep up the interesting articles!
By Jazmeen on Sep 15, 2008 | Reply
Mostafa I congradulate you on achieving your goal on the 3rd attempt at climbing everest but, it is also in my opinion a very sad time for reflection on the price you may have paid…..When you made the decision to choose the mountain instead of your wife and son this was the ultimate price to pay for a “Personal Gain” and the loss of a son can never be replaced…The miracle of the birth of a child is priceless…Thanks to the care of what can only be discribed as an amazing resiliant mother to your son that he has blossomed into the fine young boy he is today!!!!!!!Her hard work at providing the sole love, food, and a roof over his head will be re-paid a thousand times over in the returned love and respect she will recieve from him in years to come!!!!You talk about Jihad!!!! Does the qur-an not tell you to provide for your children!!!!!!!!!Does the qur-an not tell you life is not about “Personal Gain” !!!!!!!I’m not sure what you preyed for at the top of everest???? maybe you preyed for the fat cheque you expected when you returned to your home of Jordan!!! The statement you made “I chose the mountain instead of my son” really did pay you back with the total unresponse on your return to Jordan!Now its Ramadan you might want to reflect on what you HAVE IN LIFE and not what YOU CAN GET OUT OF IT!!!! Ramadan Kareem to you Mostafa Salameh!
By Shannon on Sep 17, 2008 | Reply
I’m writing in response to Jazmeen’s comments. I am Mostafa’s wife and mother to his son. Mostafa is an amazing father and one of the few heroes in Jordan. He has given my son and I an amazing life here in America. Many mountain climbers have to climb when their wives are pregnant/babies are little. This is what the universe had mapped out for Mostafa, and thanks God he accomplished his dream!
Being so close to him I know what a struggle it was to climb Everest - especially 3 times! Given the gravity of his achievements, I’m more than shocked at the lack of support for him in Jordan.
So in short, let’s not judge books by their covers. The man you speak of is an amazing father. Salaam.
By Jazmeen on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply
In response to Shannon!
I do understand that mountain climbers leave wives and children to fullfil their dreams!I also understand from his statements the reasons why “HE” did it..(quote)
“I do this because I’m concerned about the environment. I’ve contacted schools here to talk about my trip and incorporate environmental awareness,” Salameh said. “I believe in it - for the children of Jordan. We can change the mentality that we are destined to fail.” (end of quote)
..The reason for climbing always seem to change!!!! I have read so many reasons for the adventures he pursues..!!! I just wonder what the meaning of “FATHER” means to you? You might want to think about that when he goes on his next adventure to the Poles I read thats the next plan..? You are a loyal wife Shannon but there must be a time when you require the attendance in person of a husband and the presence of a father to his son..Unless he was just the sperm donor most people do require to see the person they married or they are married in name only I have difficulty in accepting the “Good Father” when you could probably count on one hand how many times he has seen his son!!!!! You are a remarkable women Shannon with many memories of you and your son growing thit is living the dream right there in the home you have made for you both these years are priceless many people dream of being a parent you have the most precious dream there could be your “son” never stop that dream!!!Eid Mubarak to you and your son!
By Zena on Nov 17, 2008 | Reply
Hi…i am amazed by how much Mustafa has accomplished even when obstacles were thrown in his path. I am a high school teacher at Amman Baccalaureate School (ABS), and I am trying to contact Mustafa to have him come and share his experiences with our students. Can anyone provide me with Mustafa’s email…i would really appreciate it. My email is zmuhtaseb@yahoo.com
By Samar on Dec 18, 2008 | Reply
Hi Mostafa, could you send me your contact for a radio interview in the USA?
samarjar@sunline.net
By ramsey on Dec 30, 2008 | Reply
Folks, if you want to continue to question the ability of Mostafa as a father, have that discussion elsewhere (or not at all). If you want to say something about how he is a mountain climber, than post it here.