Closed For Maintenance: A Short Jordanian Documentary

By Katarina on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

i am sick and tired of these Books@Cafe guys trying to spin a dirty kitchen story into a fight for freedom and tolerance. enough with the dishonesty. what we have is an apathetic, insular community of spoiled Jordanian kids and expats wielding disproportionate influence who all of sudden were deprived of their secluded ivory tower. So what do they do? instead of killing the roaches and cleaning the kitchen, they were kilts and cover their faces with mud and shout FREEEEDOOOOOM!!!

this is too nauseating. i am going to spank my kids just to make sure they don’t turn up like these rotten Books people

By dina on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

katarina….You are obviously a self hating woman!…go raise your kids the way you want…just dont take your insecurities against people and books@cafe. i bet you’ve never even been there.
Why cant you think in a balanced way and listen. This document is insinuating something alot deeper than just the closing of a cafe…one that you wouldnt and couldnt understand.
better yet…go read all the articles from the beginning…this is ridiculous how people take out their insecurities the moment they read 2 words that trigger off their hate.
Clean up your hearts and go dump your hatred somewhere else .(preferably away from your children)

By secratea on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

“The problem here, we deal with a very fragmented society. On the one hand, we have a party of very traditional Muslims, um yeah, that really care for Ramadan. On the other hand, we have a minority of very Westernized, yeah tolerant and consume oriented yeah others, who obviously care for Books.”

yeah, talk about Orientalism in reverse! however, I find it funny how subconsciously (maybe consciously?) the dichotomy presented was non-tolerant Muslims, as opposed to Westernized tolerant–except that I would really really question how tolerant and respectful the majority of these “Westernized yeah tolerant others” would be when it comes to tradition, Islam, and its practices in this country. History has shown how “tolerant secular” Arab and Muslim rulings have been towards the majority, traditional Muslims.. Turkey? Tunisia?

By The Observer on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

“i am going to spank my kids just to make sure they don’t turn up like these rotten Books people”

What a civilized attitude Katarina! Yes go ahead and spank you kids. Maybe have you husband spank you as well! Some people just need strict punishment measurment so that they behave the way we want them to!

Now back to the film. I can’t believe you Ibrahim actually picked the guy with the one month vs 11 month argument! That is absurd at most.

You know, I have this special religious belief, and june is a holy month for me. My God forbade people from having ice-cream because it is full of sugar. So why doesn’t the government close all ice-cream shops in June? They can have ice cream the whole year. I am just asking them to stop for one month and respect my religion! Don’t they respect my religion?

Maybe not? I am not part of the majority believers! So my faith shouldn’t be respected as theirs! or should it?

Aren’t we all Jordanian citizens that the jordanian constitution guarantees our equality? or there is people who are more equal than others?

and what the hell with this ‘we are an Islamic country’ argument. Does an Islamic country entails dis-equality between its citizens?

By Tamer on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

I second Katarina’s comment..not the spanking though. that’s for my girlfriend ;)

This has turned into a very dishonest debate.

I had entertained guests from Germany last night and we had red wine with our dinner at the Hyatt.

By Musa Shuqairi on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

Greetings.
Here is the article published in Nox magazine (October 07) referenced by Wael.
As a contributor to the magazine who spent hours trying to get one official from the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Interior, and the tourism enhancement commission to admit “YES WE ARE AUTHORISING ALCOHOL SALE in Ramadan this year), I do not believe the piece “promotes” alcohol consumption during Ramadan or during any other time – but rather offers a cartoonish image on the confused nature of the ambiguous situation, and the hypocrisy of it.

The drinker’s guide to Ramadan
Nox magazine
October 07 (Robert Fisk cover)

It was promising to be a tough Ramadan in Amman. As rumours about a complete alcohol crackdown swirled around the editorial desk in the build-up to the Holy Month, the Christians, foreigners, the Christian foreigners and the outright non-believers in the office were nervous about their ability to chug a beer after their latest 13-hour day between mid-September and mid-October.
And in the spirit of cutting-edge journalism, we spent days trying to get a straight answer, banging the phones and juggling statements from the Ministry of Tourism, Amman municipality, the Tourism Enhancement Commission and the Ministry of Interior – most of whom proved to be just as intimidating over the phone as you’d expect. Particularly when inquiring about booze.

Anyway, the conclusion was simple: Go and find out for yourself. While a Jordanian tabloid (grandiosely named The International Truth) published a whole report on how their correspondent caught a fully-functioning Burger King in Sweifyeh – whose management was reportedly punished for “intihak hormet Ramadan”, or violating the holiness of Ramadan – one could still head to the near-by Players Bar at the Bristol Hotel at noon on a Friday and indulge your appetitie in a full menu of cocktails and bar snacks, incuding overpriced burgers. Hypocrisy?

Furthermore, Books@Cafe, which is neither located in a three-star hotel nor rated as a three-star restaurant, greeted its visitors with a “joyful” sign boasting of a full menu and drinks.
Other to drown our mounting stress were: Dubliners, Vinaigrette at the Howard Johnson, BeerKeller at Le Royale, and Living Room (only after Iftar).

By ****** arguments all around on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

The best thing about this whole out-of-proportion debate is the ridiculousness of arguments….

“I am not part of the majority believers! So my faith shouldn’t be respected as theirs! or should it?”

you are absolutely RIGHT.
YOUR FAITH is not going to be respected because you are an (edited).
All of a sudden everybody is a sociology and human rights experts.
when 95% of the population is doing something…the other 5% respect it and should be courteous about it…especially when it is not something that harmful.

By Tamer on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

“This document is insinuating something alot deeper than just the closing of a cafe”

Therine lies the deception. there is nothing deep about closing a restaurant with a dirty kitchen.

There are lies.
There are big lies.
And then there is the Books@Cafe story.

I like Books@Cafe. I like the Jazeera family very much. They are good people. But some Books cheerleaders are trying to exploit the Books@cafe citation to serve as their soapbox for their hateful intolerant agenda on both sides of this contrived debate.

By Saeed Omar on Sep 28, 2008 | Reply

exactly last year i sat accross a friend in Books@ when he had a pint of beer in his hand. it was someone i knew over the years. i did not comment. however, it honestly felt strange. and it felt like an insult. this was new, as i, up to that moment, did not know that Books@ served alcohol. i visit Amman every year almost, and i love the place.

i have never encountered beer in Jordan during Ramadan and in an environment that appeared least alerted and exceedingly tolerant. all appeared eery to me…

what really bothers me in this whole fiasco, is not the hypocricy here or there, nor the regulation or lack of it, rather the progression (degeneration) of our youth so fast and so substantially. I am 30 going on to 31 and i cannot recall anything like this in my past here in Jordan; such as serving alcohol in Ramadan. alcoholic consumtion was never a vogue, always a taboo.

its amazing how we have, in almost one generation, transformed from an all Islamic abiding and traditional society, to becme the neverminding materialistic herd we are today, who need to be ENTERTAINED thru and thru…

nothing of course can stop diversity, but i honestly believe that this exhibition of liberty, nevermindeness, and progression of value-stripping HAS to stop. we are more than ever now, in need of building our identity not dismantling it!

Madian do not have a just cause, even if he receives heaps of attention and solideraty from many communities, outspoken individuals, and international media. if this ever makes it to international media and if ever the circle of attention widens, it will instill egoeness and stubbordness in our fringe-ppl, and you’ll find Thomas Friedman and his likes dedicating pages and pages in their books this time around…

bring back the old Books@…

By Ibrahim on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply

a question to the sociology and human rights expert: how do you know that 95% of Jordanians are fasting?

I actually wanted to do a survey about it, but I didnt have the enough time to do it.
but I asked each one in the interview about ppl around him and 90% of them said that most of his friends his family and his neighbors are not fasting …

I can’t be accurate here but through the 3 days I spent making the interviews I found out that ppl actually loved the idea of closing books@ not because of they love Islam, It’s just becaouse of they hate the idea of ppl who go to books … they might be jealous or have a wrong image about them.

ppl are difficult to understand sometimes …

By Shaden on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply

Naseem, but you don’t just wander in the city and find yourself in the middle of a restaurant/pub! if someone’s spirituality is affected by the scene of someone eating or drinking, they should know better than entering a restaurant.

I agree with the guy who asked for a clear official statement on the matter.

By Saeed Omar on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply

i dont think the government would ever give a clear official statement. on one hand, they dont want to stir public opinion on the matter and on the other hand they do not want to be branded as an anti-investment place and a not so friendly tourist dstination.

By rania on Sep 29, 2008 | Reply

we all live in jordain …..there is muslims and chrestians…..and even other…you do good or bad others do good or bad its up to god to judge not us.if its a resturant so it is a resturant if its a bar so it is a bar …..u dont ocntrol others …we should only concentrate on our selves to be good and when we r good people will follow the good influence

By omar on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply

I agree with Hussein in the video that what surprised me was not the actual incident but rather the reaction of people. I wish we get that passionate about other issues of high importance and getting the real picture.

I do respect you Ibrahim for showing both ends of the rope and trying to cover the matter from a neutral point of view although I know where you stand in this matter.

Enough talking of me bass to summarise what I said:
KHALAS, BIG DEAL, SHUT DOWN, RE-OPEN
IT’S TIME WE SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WORRYING ABOUT OTHER IMPORTANT SHIT

By Legalise Weed on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply

The owner of books@cafe broke the LAW twice:
1- Served alcohol on balconies and terraces regardless of whether people can see the terraces or not.

2- When his kitchen closed he seized to operate as a restaurant and continued to operate as a bar. Restaurants are allowed to operate normally with full menu and drinks, bars are not allowed to operate in ramdan.

That is the LAW.
if some people think the law is not fair …contact your area representative or parliament member and try to change the law.

This is how societies function.

By Deena on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply

Loved the idea of the video … and the name! ya3teek il 3afieh ibrahim :) would have liked to see more women though! there was a striking disproportionate representation of men …

what i don’t get though, in the arguments of the traditionalists, who claim that alcohol should be banned in ramadan to ‘preserve’ the month… what about the msa7er who disappeared from our neighbourhoods?? why arn’t we fighting for him to be supported - even through official grants?

My point is, the msa7er is a public tradition of ramadan, and it is such traditions that we are, as a public, responsible for preserving. other personal choices remain… personal choices.

By Madian on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply

Just a note:

Books@cafe is rated 3 star Touristic

This entitles any establishment to serve food and drinks all year including Ramadan.
Books@cafe and other restaurants were given that “privelage” and then “wacked” for using it….Do the maths!

We respect everyone, and do not Judge…I was hoping to see the same, but that isnt there. Ego?…Stubborness?….Let me see anyone have their braed and butter taken from them…with ill intentions and illegally …then let me see what reactions would come out.
I have seen good support to a cause(and the cause wasnt Books@cafe) .That cause was and is for a cleaner, better, rightful, Just Jordan. And I have seen spite and hatred and people who just wanted to take the opportunity to bash my person and my establishment.
Shame…to all the latter…and thanks to the former.

By omar on Sep 30, 2008 | Reply

Pardon me Madian but as much as I respect that what happened to Books@Cafe was unfair, unjust and all and I do understand it is your source of living, yet I think the ordeal was slightly relished with personal matters and hence the possible bashing of your person (which I didn’t quite witness, but of course you would’ve).

Books@Cafe has loyal customers that protruded more like ‘cult’ followers in this whole issue defending it, as I believe the matter was blown up in the media (internet) in the Jordanian and Arabic blogosphere.

I’m sure there are a lot of less fortunate business owners in the rest of Amman and Jordan who might have faced such injustice and abuse yet no one knew about it, just because the owners don’t know how to post an article on 7iber…

By Bobby on Oct 1, 2008 | Reply

I think Ibrahim O. did a good job,in a filming point of view,somehow i couldn’t agree with some opinions shown here,found them unrespectable as well as interviews should have done to much more diverse and young people who actually frequent these kind of places.I have my faith,i follow it but i won’t mind if the person next to me doesn’t.Still again this is not about religions,it’s about closing a business.Seems like the GOV has the upper hand!

By zizo on Oct 4, 2008 | Reply

Books@ and Jafrra

The real reason for closing books is that the owners are Jordanians from a Palestinian origin. A very famous coffee shop located down town called “Jafra”,whose owner of Palestinian origin,is being targeted by the same people who targeted Books@ and keep pushing the government officials to close it down. Those prejudiced people have fabricated many reasons (very similar to books’) and are lobbying to close Jafrra down. If one opens his eyes one will see the huge campaign against any successful organization run and owned by Jordanians from a Palestinian origin.

By omar on Oct 4, 2008 | Reply

Zizo
that’s just pure bs!

There’s nothing of that sense, and if you want to believe so, go ahead and do, but don’t be preaching as if you’re talking based on “facts”

Most coffee shop owners and business people in Jordan are Jordanians of Palestinian origins, and targeting the cafes of such owners means wrecking down 90% of the cafes in Amman. So please, PLEASE, refrain from that nonsense.

By jordanian on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply

Zizo! Bravo! you just managed to divert this into a new dimension! we had “muslim - Christian” issues, “poor-rich”, “gay-Straight”
and NOW, Jordanian Palestinian? this is a new low. you dont even deserve to have internet you ignorant hater.

By Piras on Oct 5, 2008 | Reply

hey ZIZO, & everyone who mentioned any of the irrelative issues that JORDANIAN just recited..

there’s no racism left in this corrupt planet but one, it’s the racism against the poor & powerless; out of a sudden,you forget the origin, color, & religion of the person infront of you when power is involved, & all other forms of racism fade away!
& no relegion left but one: (materialism), & one god: ($$$)!!! hence we humans are no more measured against our qualities & our civil liberties, instead we are measured against what car we drive, how big our bank book is, and how powerful we & our connections are!!!!
(sorry to generalize, but i know this is valid in more than 90%..)
thats where the main reason of closing box@ came from! it’s simple, someone with big balls was pissed off, and payed good effort to close the place! the reason why he was pissed off could be anything, but i recommend one of two: competition reasons, or wanting a share from the pie!!!!
thanx

By zizo on Oct 6, 2008 | Reply

Guys grow up ! show me one eastern Jordanian coffee shop owner that gets hassled by the Gov. Do you think if Median’s last name was “Majali ” the Govt. would dare to treat him or his establishment with disrespect.Read other electronic news websites and you’ll notice how much hate there is against Jaffra and books@ by the well -known haters of Jordanians from Palestinain origin. For those who consider this “far fetched” I beg you to do a better research before you reply to my comments. Open your eyes there’s huge discrimination against JFPO in Jordan and the whole world knows it!

By Concerned on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply

Zizo, SHUT THE *&%$ UP!!! You have too much hate inside you, it is disgusting!

As for the other people, books@ was due to injustice, it had the right - or as some people like to call it, “The privilege” - to resume its business in Ramadan, and that right was taken away from its owners.

Most people are happy about that because they hate the people that go there, and I’m not just talking about the “Gays”, which makes them start hating every single thing about the place.. in my opinion, this is sick, people have got to stop being hateful, the should start living in harmony.

Books@ hasn’t done anything to you people, it didn’t force you to go in and watch people eat and drink, but since most people are filled with hatred, and even envy, they are happy that people who do stuff they don’t do are being stopped… get a life people, aren’t you ashamed of yourself?

By zizo on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply

Dear Concerned

Since Books@ at never broke any law, and Jafra never broke any law and they are both a success story of freedom and culture , both owners are JFPO , and both places have been furiously attacked by JFPO haters in electronic websites for bogus reasons, why in the world shouldn’t I come to the conclusion that discrimination against JFPOs is the main driver for this episode of oppression??!
And please do your best to act civilized in your response

By jordanian on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply

ZIZOOOOOOOO!!!!! PLEASE STOP SPREADING YOUR IGNORANCE!!!! PLEAAAAAASE!!!! old irish was closed down too! the owner is originally from madaba! i cant believe you even dragged me to this level of conversation! God help you, your a troubled little man.

By Kyle on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply

So some really popular coffee shop in Jordan served alcohol during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and the government closed it for that?

If that is the case, I have mixed opinions;

- If the country doesn’t allow alcohol to be served PERIOD because of its Muslim leadership, this is fair and residents should be aware of where they live and the rules of the dominant religion.

- If the country lets alcohol flow free outside of Ramadan but expects non-Muslim businesses to just STOP what they do for a month, BUT get right back to it after, that’s hypocritical and prejudiced.

This isn’t about freedom, face it; Jordan isn’t a free a country. This isn’t about Islam either.

It’s simple logic.

This is the EXACT SAME as a fraternity brother of mine from Iraq who is a supposedly dedicated Muslim but outdrinks every other fratboy i know ALL year, and during Ramadan just stops. THEN, publicly, on FACEBOOK, changes his status on Eid eve saying “UGH CAN’T WAIT TO PARTY AND GET DRUNK! Ramadan’s almost over!”

Don’t you agree that the example is very relevant?

By zizo on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply

Dear Jordanian

before I argue with you I need you to answer the following question: Is there discrimination against JFPO in Jordan ?

I need to know what you think so that I know to which level of intellect I need to ascend to in order for me to reply to your comment.

By jordanian on Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

you know what zizo..there is discrimination everywhere, against everyone. Group up. Books is re-opening tonight, so buzz off!

By jordanian on Oct 9, 2008 | Reply

oh and under the same “JFPO” ownership! HAHA!

By forehand on Oct 10, 2008 | Reply

hi guys ,
well with all my respect to all of ur opinions and believes,
i would like to define what some people claim as the majority opinion and we have to stop all actions and stop our lifes cuz of ramadan is coming , i am a conservative person by the way :) (MAJORITY RULE WITH MINORITY RIGHTS) which means the wishes of majority determine what government does as well as protecting the interests of the minority , and thats our beloved jordan , the place where we all grew up in or spent periods of time there , simply our home , we want our home to be the best of the bests, hopefully that when someone tries to write any further comments to look at the subject from the 2 sides point of view, cuz we don’t want to be judgmental and keep having the same old fashioned attitude towards liberties and individual rights , i wish that we can wash all the (3eeeb o 7aram culture ) from our minds , just try to clear it out guys so the next generation dont inherit it ,

with all my regards to all and specially ( aljazeera family ) which is like my family :D

forehand is my game:)

By not VIP on Oct 11, 2008 | Reply

I have heard so many stories of lijan going around to restaurants in Ramadan closing down cafes and restaurants , one story was the minister of interior him self …that was quit surprising and too much for his position…it made me think…is it for personal reasons or just a random check hmmmmm.

By giving these places the legal document and license to open in Ramadan and resume their activities including serving alcohol for who ever would like and then shutting down their places by another authority is a bit disappointing …personally I think we have a big problem in the system….there is no co operation or planning from all these authorized ministries whether it be the interior , the tourism or even restaurant association…(one of them is trying to show muscles by showing they are putting Jordan on the right track) what track or identity are we after???????? this is the confusion……

For the sake of argument, if I am an owner of a place( we know that is not something easy or simple) and I have all legal documents where do I go after my place has been shut down …who should protect me ???? if restaurant association put their hands up and would do nothing…then why do they exist in the first place …just for prestige or what???… The ministry of tourism on the other hand laughs at the orders they get especially when the violations are exchanging kisses or indecent dress code…maybe restaurants and cafes should have signs saying NO KISSING or MIND UR DRESS CODE just being creative and sarcastic!!

I think what is happening is very alarming….what happened to promoting investments and services that news papers have been talking about on behalf of officials in Jordan??? What do we want Jordan to be??? The grave yard of ambitious talented youth Jordanians??? By doing this we are forcing these people to pack and leave..Opening businesses in other countries and employing non Jordanians …..then we will all sit back and say why do we have un employment….why there is no place to go and have a nice time meet friends…etc.. in Jordan ?
If the whole point was alcohol during Ramadan…then save these poor employees the sins of fabricating and laying in their reports ……and just announce officially that alcohol is banned during Ramadan in ALL places that are out of hotels.
There is too much corruption and problems going on I honestly think its time for higher people to pay attention..Madian you do have a case no matter how small others think it is …good luck to all .

By fairouz on Oct 15, 2008 | Reply

jordan miss u ()

By Non abdouni on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply

Katarina YOU ROCK. RIGHT ON SISTER!!!

What no one wants to say is books is a gay hangout in Jordan. So shut up, close during ramadan, and move on.

By Non abdouni on Oct 27, 2008 | Reply

so you moderate as well…let us see if you have the balls to publish my first comment, and if you are really about freedom or just the books croud.