Safety and Security in Jordan
We are sometimes asked about safety and security issues in Jordan. It is important to keep things in perspective. With that in mind, some not-so-frequently asked questions, and our answers:
Isn't Jordan a dangerous place full of violence and terrorists?
Violent conflict between Israel and certain Palestinian factions continues, but that is not happening in Jordan, an independent country unto itself. The fact is that people in Jordan and most other countries in the region go about their daily lives in peaceful surroundings. In a monarchy like Jordan, citizens enjoy even tighter security and suffer harsher penalties for crimes than do citizens in the U.S. As a result, there are fewer crimes of any sort.
What about politics, don't the Jordanians hate our government and its policies?
It is no secret that U.S. foreign policy in the region has not been very popular. However, Jordanians are able to differentiate between a country's government and its people, especially its young ambassadors. Shopkeepers, taxi drivers, and others often greet us with "Welcome to Jordan!" and the many American tourists visiting Jordan hear the same thing.
But Jordan is next to Iraq, isn't that dangerous?
Not really. The violence taking place in Iraq is far away and no threat to us. Again, we are talking about separate countries. Jordan has absorbed some 3/4 million Iraqi refugees, which has been a strain on the economy. Journey to Jordan staff and participants have had friendly chats with Iraqi taxi drivers and shopkeepers.
Okay, but really -- isn't there some risk in traveling abroad, especially in a country so different than ours?
Yes -- and no. There is always the chance that something can happen while traveling -- not just in Jordan, but in any country. However, travelers are much more likely to be injured or killed in an accident or assault back home in the U.S., even from things like slipping in the shower. Statistics weigh that out. Again, perspective. Is the U.S. really a more safe country? Consider the information below:
The U.S. ranks in the range of 24th-27th in murder rates worldwide, depending on the source. Jordan does not even make the top 100 list.
Mall shootings in Brooklyn, suburban Chicago, Denver, Kansas City, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Tacoma, .... None in Jordan.
School shootings in five locations across the U.S. during one week in February 2008; three in 2007, five in 2006. Several school shootings in other countries over the past few years. None in Jordan.
Multiple people killed and wounded in restaurant shootings January-March 2008: West Palm Beach, FL; Seattle, WA; Largo, MD. That type of list goes on.
Talk about perspective! In 2006, ten cities in the U.S. had a higher murder rate than the number of violent fatalities in Iraq that year.
