Sexual predators weasel their way into Iraqi Kurdistan’s education system
Posted on October 21, 2022 by Editorial Staff in Editor’s pick, Education, Exclusive
Nicholas Clayton was formerly employed as a principal at the Duhok British International School, between 2015 and 2017 Photo: Ekurd.net/Merseyside police/credits to Max Fischer/pexels
Vanessa Powell | Exclusive to Ekurd.net
Recent UK media reports, including one on the BBC, have drawn attention to the past activities of a sexual predator who was operating from Duhok in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. The sex offender, Nicholas Clayton, was formerly employed as a principal at the Duhok British International School, between 2015 and 2017.
According to the National Crime Agency Clayton was using Facebook Messenger to contact up to 131 potential victims, children in different countries around the world, including Iraq, soliciting images, and even making arrangements for a 13-year-old boy from Cambodia to travel to Malaysia to meet him.
Clayton pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual communication with a child under 16 and one charge of inciting sexual exploitation of a child in a UK court in August. He was sentenced on September 20th to a period of 20 months in prison and put on a sexual harm prevention order which will prevent him from reoffending.
A representative for Duhok British International School, General Director Idris S. Mohammed has been in contact with the writer after seeing the name of the school posted online. I was initially asked to take my posts down from social media – censorship.
Duhok British International School, Duhok city, Iraqi Kurdistan, 2021. Photo: DBIS’ fb
The school’s representative confirmed that Nicholas Clayton joined the school in February 2015 and left on the 25th of October 2017, coincidentally around the time of the Kurdistan region independence referendum and border closures.
According to Mr. Mohammed, Clayton was recruited from Qatar along with another teaching colleague, Shaun Pender. They took up the Vice-Principal and Principal positions within the school, respectively, and were both quickly promoted within months, Clayton to School Principal and Deputy Director, and Pender to Chief Executive Officer of Rast Education.
Both went from being teachers to holding senior leadership positions in the school and the company within a matter of months. Neither was particularly well qualified to work as a school principal, a position that usually requires a master’s degree in educational leadership. Clayton held qualified teacher status in the UK, and Pender was a design and technology teacher in Qatar. Pender left the company and the Kurdistan region in 2020.
In a report in the Liverpool Echo, it’s explained that Clayton’s offending could be attributed to this small dose of “success” going to his head, empowering him in his offending.
Mr. Mohammed explains that this was during the ISIS times when many international guests were leaving the region, so it was an opportunity for Clayton and his colleague to secure leadership positions within the company. The school, owned by Rast Education company was new at the time only opening in 2014 with only 98 students.
Mr. Mohammed says, that since this time most of the students and families have moved on. I asked Mohammed if any parents have contacted the school since seeing the news –“No”, no parents have contacted the school, and “until this time we don’t have any cases”, he said. Mr. Mohammed welcomes parents to contact the school – their contact details are available online.
Nicholas Clayton’s police clearance certificate from Qatar, 2013. Click on image to enlarge. Photo: Vanessa Powell/handout to Ekurd.net
“The school has acted legally”, Mohammed said, providing copies of Clayton’s police clearance and his bachelor’s degree. His police clearance from Qatar was clear and he was recruited and referenced by the incoming principal, Shaun Pender, who knew each other from Qatar.
Mr. Mohammed who has been in his position since 2021 said that he only became aware of the case like everyone else, seeing the story in the UK media. He added, “I’m not defending him, but he [Clayton] was well-liked as a principal by Duhok people…he was very strict”, he said, explaining that he implemented a policy where parents were required to make appointments before coming to the school.
Bashdar Mawlud an employee at the Ministry of Education, has confirmed that Clayton’s case has been investigated. “Fortunately, he left Kurdistan in 2017 and never came back.” Mawlud said, “The school where he worked terminated his contract”.
Sometime towards the end of 2017, Clayton’s other teachers at the school noticed that something was awry with Clayton’s behaviour.
Helena Schulenburg, a former teacher at the school said she became concerned when he noticed children were being taken into Mr. Clayton’s apartment, by another female teacher. At first, she thought it might be Mr. Clayton’s girlfriend, but the constant flow of children into his apartment left her feeling so uneasy, she made a complaint to the school’s management at the time but wasn’t believed.
Then one day, “he just disappeared, but it was after I reported everything”, Schulenburg said.
Another former teacher, who wishes to remain anonymous said that she became concerned that standard child safeguarding procedures at the school were not being followed. She said she saw Clayton at Family Mall with a group of children from a local refugee camp, treating the children to ice cream. She thought it was odd that he would be on an outing with a group of children as the sole adult. She too felt so strongly that something was wrong she contacted the police in the UK and gave an interview.
This is not the first case of sexual offenders finding their way into the Kurdish educational system though.
Anthony Solloway was as employed as an English lecturer at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), 2020. Photo: UK police
Anthony Solloway – sharing an office with a psychopath
The UK media also reported on Anthony Solloway, a paedophile who had already served 5 years in jail for abducting a woman at knifepoint and photographing schoolgirls from outside his bedroom window in the 90s. Solloway was as employed as an English lecturer at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) and was arrested at the airport returning to the UK and found trying to dump a USB stick. In his possession on his hard drive were hundreds of sick images described as depicting the cruelest forms of abuse.
I shared an office with the Solloway for about a week where I was also employed as an ESL lecturer.
In my personal experience:
I remember during the first week of his employment at UKH he was paraded around the university, from office to office, door to door, introduced by the Department Chair, as a Ph.D. holder in Education. Not many legitimate academics want to teach in Kurdistan for a variety of reasons, so he was a rare find. He had conducted his doctoral research on female ESL students’ attitudes towards English-medium language instruction in the UAE and had published on topics related to linguistics, second language acquisition, and education.
Now how I ended up in an office with him. I was asked to move from my female only I shared with another female academic to a mixed-gender office with all men, other than me, to accommodate an incoming Turkish female academic who wore a strict hijab, so strict she had covered up the office door’s glass window to prevent anyone looking in and secure complete privacy. It was thought that, as a non-hijab-wearing woman, I might be able to tolerate the discomforts of sharing an office with men in a relatively conservative Kurdistan. I packed the things from my desk and moved, at which time I sat at a desk right next to Solloway. I stayed in that office for about a week before I was summoned back to the Dean’s office to be informed that I was moving again, another desk had been freed up for me in a more appropriate office shared with another female.
There were always inklings of something being not quite right Solloway. His manner could be very standoffish, and he would react aggressively to even the slightest challenge to his authority, but his fleets of unpredictability were put down to the mood swings of a middle-aged male. Despite it being noted by students and co-workers that something was a little off about him, no one questioned Solloway’s authority. When men find themselves in positions of authority no one questions them, not like they would tear women down in similar positions. He told people that he was married and had a wife in Cambodia, and he didn’t socialise outside of work, so he was left alone.
Sinan Hadi – an on-the-run fugitive employed by the British International School of Kurdistan (BISK) in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. Photo: Canada’s Edmonton Police
Sinan Hadi – an on-the-run fugitive employed by the British International School of Kurdistan (BISK) in Erbil
In 2019, it came to parents’ attention that on the run fugitive Sinan Hadi, wanted on a Canada-wide warrant Hadi working as a science teacher at the British International School of Kurdistan in Erbil. Parents posted on the school’s Facebook page, angry that Hadi, who had no educational qualifications had been employed to teach physics at the school. The then principal Frano Ivezaj had hired Hadi despite him having no educational qualifications and his convictions being easily searchable on Google.
When his criminal convictions were discovered, Ivezaj fired Hadi on the spot but failed to alert the authorities, ultimately allowing Hadi to get away. The victim in Canada is still waiting for justice.
Screenshot of principal Frano Ivezaj’s reply. Photo: Vanessa Powell handout to Ekurd.net
Rebaz Ibrahim, a representative for the school wished to provide the following statement:
“Our school [has] taken the strictest measurements when it comes to hiring staff”, he said.
“We do complete criminal record checks and background checks”, he said.
The Future of Education in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region
It seems that Kurdistan is becoming a magnet for attracting a bunch of misfits, anti-social personalities, and bottom-of-the-barrel types who slip through the cracks to come and work as teachers in the region.
In all countries, developed and undeveloped, predatory types tend to work their way into positions of power and roles working with children. However, improvements could be made in the recruitment and screening practices of organisations to prevent this. This would involve things such as establishing the suitability of job candidates through behaviour interviewing and background checks. The implementation of child safe environments policies and child safeguarding procedures in educational settings is crucial.
Kurdistan should look at the type of people they want to attract to the region as teachers. Since 2015 teachers have been faced with pay cuts and non-payment of wages due to a perceived economic crisis. Not many qualified applicants are attracted to such conditions leaving only young people with no experience, the unqualified or people unable to find jobs anywhere else. If Kurdistan wants to attract high-quality professional educators, they need to pay people accordingly and offer competitive salaries, benefits, and favourable working conditions.
The views expressed are the author’s alone and do not necessarily represent the views of Ekurd.net or its editors.
The Canadian International School Kurdistan Erbil and Anne Frank: Anti-Semitism and International Schools
Kurdistan24 News once claimed religious pluralism “is a cornerstone for a new Kurdistan state.” https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/analysis/31d42429-c2d9-4135-85de-34ce5234fa43 I want to believe this, despite no synagogues or community of Jews in Kurdistan. Despite witnessing swastika chains sold at the Citadel’s Bazar and Nazi Swastikas drawn next to mosques. And despite my personal experience with the Diary of Anne Frank at the Canadian International School (CIS) of Erbil in Kurdistan. https://www.facebook.com/CanadianISErbil/
KRG closes American International School in Erbil
via KRG closes American International School in Erbil
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Education Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government has decided to close down the American International School in Erbil, citing the lack of necessary scientific qualities and certification.
The ministry has also said it will not recognize the degrees of students who have graduated from the school. The head of the school has said the problem is personal and the ministry has dismissed the all the initiatives made by the school to address the scientific problems identified by the ministry.
Which Prophet or King Allows Us to Speak?
Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Reuters raises warnings on a new cyber law in Amman, Jordan, which will quash civil liberties (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/jordan-adopts-cybercrime-law-seen-threat-free-speech-2023-07-27/)
I would like to first thank U.S. Department of State Vedant Patel for boldly opposing the repressive bill publicly, warning the Hashemite Kingdom, it will upset the economic, political stability. Though, it was still passed.
Despite a long “documented history” of repression, Abdullah Hussein stated shortly after passage, according to the Jordan Times.
“Jordan was never an oppressive country, and will never be one, and its history is testament to that.”(http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/king-says-jordan-committed-political-media-pluralism-directs-government-review-access?fbclid=IwAR1b-BLex1FKI3TieZhtAlglDEtvg1K4FoGSFZ53RtG8J3uqtUOmpY5uMMc)
I would like to append my very few cents onto the topic and ask Accuracy in Media to peruse the following.
Firstly, Abdullah Hussein (not my King), came to power under controversial circumstances, and since 1999, stability has not been a noticeable trademark. Initially, I erroneously thought the repression was the Jordanian Intelligence’s fault, as my article in Foreign Policy Journal
However, after remembering my English students who were Jordanian Intelligence,“Nothing happens without the King knowing, approving.” And, after further research, I’ve realized differently.
I strongly feel Jordan’s instability isn’t the result of the Palestine/Israel issue, or Hamas, as Abdullah regularly complains to US officials, according to Wikileaks’ cables. But instead, endemic corruption and a very nasty, distasteful childish repression.
Anchal Vohra in Foreign Policy described best.
He is his own worst enemy.(https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/04/13/jordans-king-is-his-own-biggest-enemy/)
Hide Corruption, Repress Humans
It is no doubt, Abdullah’s modus operandi of concealing and silencing dissent against a pernicious well-documented corruption -via falsely accusing Jordanians and foreigners of terrorism, or wrongfully imprisoning them for cyber crimes or for demonstrating non-violently- is the absolute real crux, instead.
Not Palestine/Israel. Not Hamas.
I believe former South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley, is correct in her salient observation that some who spread anti-Americanism, are also the very same ones spreading corruption, while simultaneously holding hands out, cadging for U.S. aid. I believe it’s hypocrisy Abdullah allows insults against Western or Israeli figures, allowing the burning of their flags in Jordan, but not criticism against the Jordanian government, or him.
There are 7 billion humans, 14 billion faces, as a student once taught me.
Sort of like this following school, indirectly connected to Abdullah Hussein- the former who despises Hamas to US officials regularly- run by the Munib Al Mesri family, who are friendly to Hamas. Money.(https://medium.com/@nocorruptionineducation/sands-national-academy-financing-terrorism-money-laundering-human-trafficking-academic-fraud-8a5c62b83dff)
Since 2011, approximately 11 prime ministers, 3 Intelligence chiefs, have been publicly removed for corruption matters. At a 19% unemployment rate, nearly 40 Jordanian tribes boldly lambasted Rania Abdullah in letters, castigating her corruption. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/feb/15/bedouin-accuse-jordan-queen-corruption)
Tribal leader, Fares al-Fayez, even courageously depicted Rania as a modern, Marie-Antoinette, exclaiming, “We will not accept you [King Abdullah] as a king, prime minister, defence minister, police chief and governor.”
Minister Amjad Hazzah Al-Majali, demanded Abdullah Hussein and his family return stolen money, real estate, to the Jordanian people. (https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jordanian-politician-slammed-king-abdullah-sponsoring-corruption)
Abdullah Hussei’s tautology has consistently been, shift blame to others, even to those within his family, repress free speech further. As his uncle, Walid Al Kurdi, sentenced 18 years imprisonment in absentia for corruption.
However. I think it’s no mystery where corruption truly derives to the perspicacious and honest.Those few of us, with integrity remaining.(https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jordan-king-abdullah-uncle-walid-kurdi-jailed)
Recently, the Pandora Paper’s revelation of Abdullah’s nearly 14 luxury homes across the United States and the United Kingdom, via shell accounts (a common tactic by dictatorships/criminals/terrorists globally), hammered the nail into the board of long-time suspicions.
And likewise, as usual, since Abdullah Hussein’s suspicious power grab, the repression, lack of transparency, only got worse with the release of the Pandora Papers, predictably.
(https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/jordan-king-abdullah-luxury-property/)
Abdullah Hussein ordered his tax-paying subjects -he doesn’t pay taxes- to remain silent on the Pandora Papers, under threat of punishment, a public gag order.
He did so likely from his private jet, luxurious travel means off a developing nation’s budget. Let’s not mention Rania Abdullah’s exorbitant wardrobe, which was described once as most expensive outfit among the world’s royals in 2017.
As a researcher, I haven’t heard of such pompous declaration, GAG ORDERS, within this century. As a historian, I wasn’t aware public gag orders were still practiced.
Then, Parliament Member, Osama Al Ajarmeh, defiantly scolded Abdullah Hussein’s corruption, inside parliament -something many are afraid to contemplate- he was quickly removed. Afterwards, he callously threatened Abdullah Hussein, then was cruelly imprisoned 12 years.
In Middle East society, molly coddling is oft practiced. The positive, it deters negative, harmful influences. The con, it creates stunted growth, grown children, incapable of handling criticism, without resorting to extremes.(https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jordan-king-abdullah-uncle-walid-kurdi-jailed)
(https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/jordan-protests-after-politician-jailed-insulting-king)
The distasteful narrative of insanity didn’t cease, though.
Abdullah then accused “his own brother” of sedition and conspiracy, Prince Hamzah, placing him and family, under house arrest, incommunicado. And issuing “another public gag order” on the public.
The Prince’s telephone, internet usage, is restricted, along with visits. His Jordanian American aid, Bassem Awadallah, was imprisoned also.
Prince Hamzah eventually renounced his title of prince.
I feel as Sarah Leah Whitson averred,
“It’s disappointing that the Biden Administration has done little to pressure the King to respect the basic rights of Jordanians or to even mention the unjust detainment of Prince Hamzah.” (https://dawnmena.org/jordan-release-prince-hamzah-and-his-family-from-arbitrary-imprisonment/)
Abdullah’s repression arose its nasty head “with an iron fist” again, during the December 2022 Fuel Protests, as Suha Ma’ayeh pointed out in Arab Weekly. (https://thearabweekly.com/whats-driving-jordans-fuel-protests)
Abdullah consequently, banned Tik Tok.
(https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/jordan-bans-tiktok-police-officer-killed-protests-rcna62229)
I forgot to mention also.
Abdullah Hussein also issued a public Gag Order on the arrest of an indigent coffee-server, who harmlessly claimed on Facebook, PM Bisher Kasawneh’s wife receives a salary. (https://www.newarab.com/news/jordanians-march-against-defence-laws-rising-prices)
Repression and Mysterious Incidents
But, the corruption-repression tautology, gets weirder.
Weirder than Abdullah Hussein’s claim he is a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), which no primary written evidence exists to bolster, prior the 18th Century. If he is though, I will definitely leave Islam, the moment of confirmation.
In 2014, US Navy Seal John Zinn, departed a taxi in Amman, Jordan, intoxicated, only to negligently and clumsily stumble off a hill, to his death. (https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-businessman-falls-to-his-death-in-jordanian-capital-authorities-say-no-sign-of-foul-play)
His friend, Brandon Webb, later wrote a blog, contradicting this narrative
(https://sofrep.com/news/john-zinn-visionary-navy-seal-and-entrepreneur/)
In 2015, two beautiful, successful business sisters, Juwana and Soraya Salti, committed suicide via leaping simultaneously to their deaths from a rooftop. Both landing upon their backs.
Then, my deportation from Jordan in March 2016. 8 Jordanian intelligence agents rushed my apartment, 2 on the roof top, 3 in front of my apartment.
After incarceration for a week which concluded with a discreet phone call, initially denied to me, I was freed. I wasn’t charged, I simply was released with an apology, welcomed to return in the future. The warrant had Abdullah Hussein’s name on it. I can only describe my experience as…weird.
Was it my complaints of employment rights violations by private schools? Was it the corruption I reported in private education? Or was it my interviews with Syrian refugees? I will never know.
Article on my detention:
Under such lack of transparency, repression of free expression, and Gag Orders, it is very difficult to know the truth in Jordan. But, I know such deceptive fog, toxic mist, allows corruption to persist unabated.
Conclusion
It is my sincere opinion, Abdullah Hussein’s repression record, is intolerable to digest, as a 15 year human rights enthusiast. Succinctly, to normalize his treatment of humans as animals, is a dangerous threat to precious humankind. Our posterity. More so, then his claims of Israel.
I truly believe he represses free speech due to his molly-coddled upbringing, unable to deal with criticism without resorting to extremes. His feelings are hurt easily. His size may also contribute to such insecurity.
I also believe Abdullah Hussein confirms former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan‘s assertion, many Middle East leaders are uneducated.
Abdullah’s lack of education, effaces the principle of tolerance for free speech normally grasped within higher education. He only has “earned” the equivalent to a High School Diploma, save honorary degrees for efforts toward peace in Palestine/Israel. There is no peace in Israel/Palestine today.
Perhaps the preceding, is why the treatment of teachers is so regularly horrible in Jordan.(https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/19/jordan-arrests-1000-teachers-in-crackdown-on-union)
But, most importantly, Abdullah represses his own people, to simply conceal his corruption, and its disastrous effects on all Jordanians.
Despite my own personal experience of deportation from Jordan, without charge, there is one single story that haunts me deeply, till this day.
A teacher and father, Ahmed Etoum, was imprisoned “10 years” in consequence for benignly posting on Facebook, Abdullah Hussein and his wife, are corrupt, according to Human Rights Watch
Something the majority of Jordanians confided to me consistently, within six continuous years of my residence in Jordan.
I feel this is simply, sick. Abhorrent to anyone who truly believes in God, distasteful to all humans who trust in good and wise governments, and completely contrary to what a fragile humankind can feel comfortably with at home, knowing such vicious repression exists within this turbulent world we equally share, and intend to pass down to our innocent children.
Abdullah Hussein often cites morals as justification for his repression. I say morality doesn’t entail destroying a teacher, a father, a human’s life, simply for bad words. And it is so in 4,200 religions globally. In 180 of 193 nations worldwide. Such dictum can not be erased by force.
I ask. Why are we so fixated upon Iran, Russia, North Korea – when allies are doing as bad, sometimes worse? (https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/02/11/uae-jordanian-convicted-criticizing-jordan-facebook)
I believe Jordanians are good people, their precious children, are not animals. And Islam and human rights, are synonymous. Jordanians and Muslims deserve equal rights, as ordinary humans, globally.
It utterly disgusts me to the core, when I see Abdullah treat them inhumanely. He hasn’t grasped another lesson from within higher education, tolerance is a mark of education and character – morality and honor.
I blame Abdullah for the persistent instability in Jordan. I blame Abdullah for Islamophobia globally, by those who confuse Islam with his repression. And, I blame Abdullah for no qualitative investment or labor, ever entering Jordan and remaining. A true leaders wishes best for his or her people. He’s not it.
I believe Jordan’s answer is to pass the torch of leadership to his son, #HusseinBinAbdullah. Jordan needs a new perspective, fresher, more youthful energy. It could be Jordan’s only hope.
Recently, after passage of the above cyber-crime law, famous Satirist Ahmad Hassan Al Zoubi was imprisoned a year. Journalist, Heba Abu Taha, was arrested for an online post three years prior.
It seems worse is expected. I predict so.
(https://www.newarab.com/news/famed-jordanian-satirist-sentenced-prison-online-post)
- It is important to note, despite claims of independent media reporting, the Jordan Times and Al Rai were founded by the Jordan Press Foundation, created by former Prime Minister Wasfi Al-Tal. He and Abdullah Hussein’s father were assassinated for quelling the Palestinian resistance during the 1970s. Both were reportedly cooperating with Agency (CIA). Code:pink
Middle Eastern Leaders are Uneducated, with Honorary Degrees
“The aim of education is the knowledge, not of facts, but of values.” —William S. Burroughs
Former Iraq Parilament member Sarkawt Shamsulddin (Shams) criticized Kurdish Iraq President Nechirvan Barzani for solely possessing a High School diploma once.
I checked. It’s true.
Nechirvan Barzani attended the University of Tehran, but did and could not graduate. He received an “honorary degree” from Washington & Jefferson College. No one knows why.
Kurdish Prime Minister of Erbil and Duhok cities, Masrour Barzani, obtained a Bachelors degree at American University, around the time his father, Masoud Barzani, donated money for a Kurdish Studies Program. Masrour attended a semester or two in graduate studies, but quickly withdrew.
His son, Areen, recently graduated Valedictorian with the highest GPA at The American University of Kurdistan. The university is operated, owned, by Masrour.
Kurdish Iraq Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, a former car mechanic, claims he possesses a degree from Kingston University. The university refused to authenticate his attendance.
- Kingston University, according to claims by Wikileaks and other blogs, has been cited for witness intimidation, fraud.
- Wikileaks -(https://wikileaks.org/wiki/Kingston_University_National_Student_Survey_fraud_recording)
- Blog – (https://kingstonuniversityscandal.wordpress.com/2017/12/06/martin-mcquillans-embezzlement-of-200000-of-research-money-hushed-up-by-the-kingston-university-smt/)
It is not just Kurdish Iraq though. It is also #Amman #Jordan.
Abdullah Hussein earned a high school diploma only. He dropped out of St. Edmunds School, Eaglebrook School, and finally graduated from Deerfield Academy. He then attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst School in an academically non-traditional setting.
- Sandhurst was investigated in 1997 for instructors accepting bribes. (https://www.newarab.com/news/uae-students-expelled-sandhurst-over-bribery-claims)
- Then, another scandal entailing bribery with Sandhurst occurred in 2022. (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/bribes-inquiry-at-sandhurst-1296863.html)
- St. Edmunds School was involved in a bribery scandal in 2016 also. https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/9935
Abdullah Hussein has received “honorary degrees” for peace efforts in the Palestine/Israel conflict from Georgetown University and University of Oxford.
There is no peace in Palestine/Israel today.
- Georgetown University in 2019 was involved in a bribery scandal also. NPR (https://www.npr.org/2019/03/17/704313268/georgetown-students-react-to-admissions-fraud-scandal)
Perusing the above, it becomes clear, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was correct. Middle Eastern leaders, simply lack notable higher education accolades.
In my opinion, “honorary degrees” seem to compensate undeservedly. And, in my observations, Middle Eastern leaders are seeking the educational institutions which have a sketchy background for ease.
Furthering my opinion, from my observations deriving from a decade continuous employment within Middle East private education, and thorough research, I feel the above has had drastically negative repercussions upon the region.
I believe some salient lessons entailed within higher education are completely missed with “honorary degrees,” instead of earned, with dedicated time spent toward achieving “real” degrees:
1- The shame attached to corruption and cheating (the ends do not justify means).
- Amman, Jordan: Jordan News- “Jordan Regresses on Corruption”
- Kurdish Iraq: American Enterprise Institute- “When America Ignores Kurdish Corruption”
(https://www.aei.org/op-eds/when-america-ignores-kurdish-corruption-china-and-russia-benefit/)
2- The value of truth, integrity, and Due Process, over power and wealth and privilege.
- Amman, Jordan: Al-Monitor – “Jordan Parliamentary Elections Boycott”
(https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2016/07/jordan-parliamentary-elections-boycott.html)
- Kurdish Iraq: Voice of America- “Kurds Boycott Elections Parliament”
(https://www.voanews.com/a/iraq-s-kurds-hold-elections-for-regional-parliament/4593287.html)
3- Tolerance for free speech/assembly, with a focus on diversity and transparency.
- Amman, Jordan: IFEX – “Government Imposes More Severe Restrictions”
(https://ifex.org/jordan-government-imposes-more-severe-restrictions-on-freedom-of-expression/)
- Kurdish Iraq: Washington Institute- “Barzani’s Failures on Freedom of Expression”
4- And basic respect for teachers and principles of education, instead of emphasizing schools as solely businesses.
- Amman, Jordan: Human Rights Watch– “Jordan Arrests Teachers”(https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/30/jordan-teachers-syndicate-closed-leaders-arrested)
- Kurdish Iraq: Al Arabiya- “Kurd Police Arrest Teachers”
Based on the above observations, I, out of deep respect for the venerable principles behind higher education, humbly ask the aforementioned universities, to raise standards, the bar, prior administering honorary degrees, in the near future.
Don’t risk losing your institution’s credibility and reputation.
Don’t contribute to academic fraud, corruption, repression.
I also ask the respective educational authorities, within the above nations, to make it more challenging for foreign leadership, their children, to access higher education. Please avoid adhering to a Legacy Program type entry for heads of states’ children. And, increase the requirements for graduation. Don’t let foreign privilege, skip those pertinent lessons, principles, we all benefit from when meeting the ordinary equal challenges of higher education.
I strongly feel, it could contribute in reducing the disastrous circumstances for other innocent humans, foreign policy, and global education.
Note – Former Kurdish President Barham Salih’s education is legitimate. The universities he graduated from, confirmed by e-mail. I respect that.
Masrour Barzani: Don’t Run from Responsibility-Sherwan Sherwani
Shortly after Masrour Barzani, son of former Kurdish Iraq president Masoud Barzani, transitioned from Security Intelligence Chief to Prime Minister, none advised him to think, approach issues differently. Instead, he did what any spy chief would do.
He immediately imprisoned Sherwan Sherwani, several other journalists on charges of espionage, defamation/slander (defamation/slander in the Middle East mostly applies without consideration of truth or veracity of claims). And according to several sources, without evidence.
Irony hit back briefly though when Shnyar Anwar Hassan sued Masrour for defamation and slander, later in a Virginia court house. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/virginia/vaedce/1:2022cv01288/530826
Despite public condemnations by diplomats, as the US and German Consulates in Erbil, protests in the streets, journalists typing on keyboards furiously, Masrour remained obstinate and steadfast in his decision. His family runs “every aspect” of Duhok and Erbil. Who will stop him?
https://www.voanews.com/a/iraqi-kurdistan-protest-in-support-of-jailed-journalist-/7192870.html
Even when President Nechirvan Barzani granted amnesty to these prisoners, reducing their prison sentences 60%, Sherwan Sherwani’s sentence, only 50%. https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/02032022
Then, at the very moment Sherwan Sherwani was to be released, he was charged and imprisoned 4 extra years, with a new charge of forgery, after signing another prisoner’s name with permission, on a petition. https://cpj.org/2023/07/imprisoned-journalist-sherwan-sherwani-given-additional-4-year-sentence-in-iraqi-kurdistan/
And in a finale “weird” twist of impunity and autocracy, a journalist that publicly criticized the decision, was imprisoned the same day, released shortly afterwards.
After working a few years in the Kurdish region of #Iraq. After thorough research. After having my own life, my own family threatened over revealing the American International School of Kurdistan Erbil was a diploma mill. https://www.knnc.net/en/Details.aspx?jimare=685
I am inclined to believe, Sherwan Sherwani’s recent sentence was vindictive, and he is completely innocent.
Worse, according to the Metro Center for the Protection of Journalist’s Rights ( in Kurdish). The PDK partry is now responsible for more repression against free speech and journalism, than the PUK and PKK parties, and for the overall lack of safety, and the toxic repression within the Kurdish region, deteriorating over the years. Such repression entails attacking journalists’ homes and forcibly closing workplaces, coordinated cyber attacks, blacklisting at jobs and sports events and other functions, and even reportedly murders (Sardasht Osman/Wedad Hussein Ali).
When founder of NRT News, Shashwar Abdulwahid, called for mass protests, civilians, journalists, and parliamentary members were assaulted and imprisoned, prior attendance of protests.
Nearly all aforementioned arrests occurred with little concern for or no evidence, due process, rule of law, and impartiality of courts. More essentials of Democracy, Republicanism, than LGBT, climate, and women’s rights. The former can not be ignored, while demanding the latter.
- As a 15 year human rights enthusiast, I believe the Kurds are not animals. Their children are just as precious, as our own. Their rights, equally valuable.
- As a Muslim, I believe Islam and human rights are synonymous.
- As a researcher, I am aware instability, Islamophobia, diasporas and refugees, have a direct correlation with repression and corruption by dictatorships.
I feel it is the responsibility of every true and decent leader to treat their people, as humans. Masrour Barzani, as every leader, should not run away from this responsibility. It takes no money to meet that obligation.
Therefore, I humbly request that future blacklisting be incurred monetarily by the esteemed US Congress Democratic National Committee Republican National Committee The White House (withholding of aid and certain diplomatic privileges) and to consider implementing Articles 94 and 119 of the Iraqi Constitution, as Iraqi Parliament member Alia Nusaif Jasim demanded of the Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Iraq, dissolving the Kurdistan Regional government. Permanently, without prejudice.
Thus, forming a PDK government for Duhok, Erbil, and a PUK government for Halabaja, Suleimania. Repeated attempts at coercing unity among both parties persistently have failed for 2 decades. The last Parliament meeting concluded in fist fights and a firearm pulled.
Or an alternative. Remove the PKK from the U.S. Department of State FTO list, as Senators Robert Menendez and the late John McCain and former President Barack Obama performed with the PUK/PDK parties in 2014. Thus providing an effective third political party which has not been co-opted by the PUK/PDK. Due to the Turkey offensive over decades, the PKK are now stronger than prior, everywhere.
Ultimately.
In prudence, Historian Henry Commager made an exigent observation that we normally apply state terrorism toward foes, rather than allies, instead categorizing acts by the latter, as national defense or state and non-state actors. This must stop, as our own foreign policy objectives are often thwarted, American tax dollars wasted, innocent humans harmed. Integrity destroyed.
I am convinced Professor George Lopez’s heuristics are more accurate.
But, I believe Dr. Simon Taylor hit the bullseye with his definition of state terrorism of which I would like to one day see applied toward foes and allies in the future:
“State agents using threats or acts of violence against civilians, marked by a callous indifference to human life, to instill fear in a community beyond the initial victim for the purpose of preventing a change or challenge to the status quo.”
I aver to the honorable President Joe Biden, don’t let human rights be extorted on your watch. The pillars are corrupt, the house can not be fixed. The other Iraq died with Mr. Joseph Robinette Beau Biden III.
Let him and this horrible mess rest in peace, please. Worse than humiliation, is disgrace. The horse will not drink, because it is heading another path, on its own.
Pull the plug please.
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Cronyism/Nepotism “is” Corruption
Kurdistan24 Kurmanci, owned by Masrour Barzani, according to the US Department of Justice and funded by the U.S. Department of State, has announced recently that Treefa Aziz is the new KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) representative to the United States.
https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/31969-PM-Masrour-Barzani-appoints-new-envoy-to-US
She is replacing Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, whose nieces I was privileged to teach. I will miss Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman. She dedicated efforts toward a turbulent long decade, soundly, consistently.
Recently, activist Shnyar Anwar Hassan has brought to the public’s attention that Ms. Treefa Aziz’s father, a dentist named Ahmad Golam Aziz, was criminally charged for raping an unconscious patient.
The Washington Post link:
If this is untrue, I deeply apologize to the Aziz family. Of course, I will retract anything I become cognizant upon which is untrue, publicly, with an apology.
But, the above disturbs me more than a little.
What disturbs me more however, is reports that Treefa Aziz is a relative to Ahmad Aziz, Deputy Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. Radaris seems to confirm this relationship.
Radaris link: https://radaris.com/~Ahmed-Aziz/1686289949
If the second point “is” true, I have bigger concerns then.
Corruption is not solely bribes and kickbacks. It is a high prevalence of Nepotism and Cronyism, wherein qualifications (hard work and experience) mean little, and the ordinary citizen is disappointed, enraged. A government can blacklist, punish and reward, not based upon merits, but as a personal patronage system, wherein who you know and how much you lie and cajole, are the primary heuristics.
A Yes-Man environment.
Such a high prevalence of Cronyism and Nepotism – corruption – leads to massive migrations, such as with Belarus recently. It strains resources of recipient nations, bolsters Islamophobia.
Voice of America here: https://www.voanews.com/a/iraqi-kurds-cite-work-graft-as-reasons-that-belarus-beckons/6325962.html
A high prevalence of Nepotism and Cronyism – corruption – also leads to internal instability, which often is met via repression. Such examples of repression also raises Islamophobia. And if this cycle persists, insurgency is the inevitable outcome as history shows. Therefore.
I kindly remind President Joseph Biden of his campaign slogan, returning integrity to The White House.
I really don’t feel the above, if true, is an example. It may be construed by some, as hypocrisy.
It is what I have witnessed while employed in Kurdistan for 3 years, and coincides with my thorough research on the qualifications of administrators and teachers, within the region’s private education sector.
I don’t think anyone who sincerely cares for the Iraqi and Kurdish children, the Iraqi nation, would see otherwise. I wouldn’t accept this status quo for my own children. I wouldn’t allow it if I were leadership.
I ask Mr. Biden respectfully to adopt a zero-tolerance policy even to those who step near or inside the White House. A tough anti-corruption, aggressive transparency combination, upon those who deal with a House of Integrity please.
If the above is flawed, untrue. again, I sincerely apologize to the Aziz family, and would absolutely retract, and correct publicly, with an apology. If’ I hit the bulls-eye, I leave the following:
“Corruption is a cancer: a cancer that eats away at a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity; already-tight national budgets, crowding out important national investments. It wastes the talent of entire generations. It scares away investments and jobs.”
#corruption #Cronyism #nepotism #Kurdistan #Iraq #Bayansamiabdulrahman #KRG #TreefaAziz #Favoritism
No Due Process in Kurdish Northern Iraq (Kurdistan)
Kurdistan24 Kurmanci highlights the release of journalist, Omed Baroshki, who was imprisoned the same day, shortly after criticizing the Kurdistan Regional Government decision to charge journalist, Sherwan Sherwani, another 4 years at time of his expected release from a previous charge of espionage (not mentioned within the article).
(https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/32014-PM-Barzani-orders-release-of-journalist)
Rudaw Media Network disturbingly indicates Omed Baroshki was “kidnapped” without a court order, when arrested. His possessions taken from home as well. (https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/21072023)
Despite the obvious contention any ordinary human would normally have with the above- the fact Omed Baroshki was arrested for simply criticizing the decision of the Kurdish courts- I myself, wish to take “strong point” at the lack of Due Process, in this specific event.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have for many years, criticized the KRG for lack of due process in arrests by security forces, within the Kurdish region of Iraq. Nothing has improved to my dismay. Due Process International
I would like to aver that “Due Process” is not solely an essential of Democracy Republicanism, Monarchy, or any good government. It also protects the law enforcement, and the security forces of a nation.International Institute of Humanitarian Law
It is “human nature” to defend one’s self. And without Due Process – law enforcement clothing and presenting an ID and warrant- I would aver it is human nature for anyone to respond “violently” to a potential kidnapping. And that is precisely what a lack of Due Process entails, means. Thus, in order to thwart an unnecessarily tragic event, I hope all nations, including the Kurdish region of Iraq, respect Due Process. Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law
And this would be especially true in this specific area, wherein militias and militants run abound in streets with weapons, easily able to judge and administer their own interpretations of justice, occasionally to the right price, without a warrant. International Commission of Jurists
Due Process, clearly identifiable uniforms, presenting an ID, showing a warrant by a judge, separates an arrest and detention by a legitimate government, and a kidnapping by terrorists, criminals, and mafia. International Institute of Humanitarian Law
The Kurdish region of Iraq has the PAK, PJAK, KDPI, recognized as terrorists by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran. There are also the PKK, recognized as terrorists by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey. And we shouldn’t forget, the PUK and PDK were recently removed from the U.S. Department of State FTO list of terrorists in 2014.
I feel Due Process is absolutely exigent given this environment! Due Process Institute
In my personal experience within the Middle East for 10 years, I was once deported from Amman, Jordan in March 2016. The Jordanian Intelligence , though it was wrongful, followed Due Process, mostly. Council of Europe Human Rights and the Rule of Law
8 armed men rushed into my apartment, not including 2 on the roof top, 3 in the streets in front of my apartment. I apologize to the GID, the lack of uniforms caused the following. Mandat International
One employee “fell on his back” on my tiled bathroom, another bounced off the far end corner of my bed, a third fell backwards (same location as the second) over my plastic clothes-hamper. Global Governance and the Rule of Law
They still could not handcuff, or remove me from the apartment, until I was shown an ID, and a warrant, the latter had Abdullah Hussein’s name. That was Due Process. Avocats Sans Frontières – ASF
Though Jordanian authorities refused to give me a phone call (not Due Process), I was able to get a hand on one phone, discreetly. After a single phone call, within an hour, I later was escorted to the airport by two officers, who were very oddly kind along the way. They apologized, and informed me I was welcome to return anytime in the future. Due Process. Council on Foreign Relations
An article on my experience: (https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-grim-conditions-of-jordans-immigration-detention-camps-blatant-human-rights-violations/5520571)
I hope that Kurdistan will exceed this. I hope they will comprehend the importance of Due Process and strive to meet Magna Carta’s Clause 39. It not only establishes a legitimate government, but it also protects the very men and women who courageously serve and protect.
ISIS/Daesh is gone. So should their tactics.
Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Iraq
“We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must remember always that accusation is not proof and that conviction depends upon evidence and due process of law. We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men – not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate, and to defend causes that were, for the moment, unpopular.”
IFEX PEN International Detained in Dubai We may need a clause 61 of the Magna Carta enacted for Kurdistan/Iraq soon. United Nations ARTICLE 19 The Japan Times The Guardian Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
My Ancestor: Dr. Shosai Fujita and Ryoma Sakamoto
My ancestor, Shosai Fujita, was a doctor who performed surgery on Sakamoto Ryoma, a Confucian scholar, and an advisor to Tokugawa Nariaki.
Shosai’s teacher was famous Confucian scholar Koga Douan/Touan of Saga, Japan. And one of his students was Confucian, Tokutaro Nakamura, friend of poet Hirosei Gyokuso.
His grave is in the Gekkyoin Buddhist temple created by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, directly below Emperor Suko’s family graves in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. The property belongs to the Fushimi No Miya Royal Imperial family today.
My Ancestor: Dr. Shosai Fujita and Ryoma Sakamoto
My ancestor, Shosai Fujita, was a doctor who performed surgery on Sakamoto Ryoma, a Confucian scholar, and an advisor to Tokugawa Nariaki.
Shosai’s teacher was famous Confucian scholar Koga Douan/Touan of Saga, Japan. And one of his students was Confucian, Tokutaro Nakamura, friend of poet Hirosei Gyokuso.
His grave is in the Gekkyoin Buddhist temple created by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, directly below Emperor Suko’s family graves in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto. The property belongs to the Fushimi No Miya Royal Imperial family today.
According to the generational tale by Fujita family, and historian Akira Haruta, Shosai Fujita, first-born son of Tangaku Fujita (formerly Tangaku Kageyama), known by pen name as Ei or Hideshige, saved the life of one of Japan’s most famous samurai, and revolutionary Meiji hero, Sakamoto Ryoma.
After Sakamoto Ryoma united the Choshu and Satsuma clans, against #TokugawaYoshinobu, he was attacked at the Teradaya Hotel in Fushimi, Kyoto. The hotel is located next to the Fujita Family Health Clinic today.
Shosai Fujita, though risking breaking the law by aiding a wanted terrorist at the time, performed surgery upon Sakamoto Ryoma, saving his life. Sakamoto Ryoma gave a part of his sword, the tsuba, to my ancestor, as gratitude (pic below).
Afterwards, Sakamoto Ryoma wrote and introduced the 8 point reforms for the Meiji revolution, which would end the samurai class forever.
Admiral #ShibayamaYahachi, the Father of the Japanese Torpedo and former Governor of Taiwan, #KabeyamaSukenori, and Admiral #TogoKichitaro (nephew of the great Togo Heihachiro), investigated the brief story about my ancestor and Ryoma Sakamoto.
After being convinced of its authenticity, they obtained the sword tsuba, and later donated it to the Kyoto National Museum, the latter who authenticated the sword tsuba, as belonging to Sakamoto Ryoma. It is on display to the public today.
In the Japanese blogs below, excerpts from Shinzo Miyoshi’s diary, and testimonies gathered by historian Iwao Matsumura, describe the Teradaya Hotel assassination attempt in Fushimi, Kyoto. The Dr. Fujita mentioned is my ancestor.
https://saram.edition.jp/2021/01/09/post-1169/
More can be discovered about my ancestor, Dr. Shosai Fujita, by reading Kyushu International University professor and author Kazukuni Kameda’s book titled, “Research on Confucianism During the Bakamatsu Period: The Minister of Defense.” https://lnkd.in/e-Hb63F6
Dr. Shosai Fujita is also mentioned in Yamanashi Gakuin University professor Masao Kabe’s book. https://lnkd.in/e3hC9Y7Y
Before departing #Japan and returning to the #MiddleEast, I paid my respect to Sakamoto Ryoma’s grave at the Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine. His life story like a swift beautiful flying bird, and his legacy like stone underneath our feet, are my own ancestor’s and my family’s as well.
We are inseperable from him forever ♥️
Source: Historian Akira Haruta book on my ancestors “Tangaku Fujita and Sanyo Rai,” pages 3, 44-46. https://lnkd.in/dqusMsr3
Source: “Research on Confucianism during the Bakamatsu Period” by Kazukuni Kameda, page 256.
On The King’s Agenda for Reform in Jordan: The American ESL Center, A Professional Nightmare, Video)
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Republished from BeforeIItsNewshttps://beforeitsnews.com/international/2013/03/on-the-kings-agenda-for-reform-in-jordan-the-american-esl-center-a-professional-nightmare-video-2454290.html?currentSplittedPage=0
The story entails a language center in Amman, Jordan which has since 2006 continuously defrauded foreign teachers and students, severely abused its employees, sold copyright infringement, refused to pay its employees and fulfill promises, assaulted its employees, possibly spied and distributed personal information of its employees, and committed immigration fraud. This article attached to this e-mail is a product of Jordanians and Americans working together to stress the importance of labor reform needed in the country of Jordan. We hope with the recent article published in the Atlantic about the King of Jordan emphasizing his desire for reforming Jordan, this will be a positive message.
Below is one of the undercover videos we at Collective Consciousness have taken of the owner of this language center. Its contents reveal the owner, Khaled Allouzi, speaking horribly about other employees and also engaged in conversation about paying instructors to bring in students to cheat on the TOEFL exam (immigration fraud).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiLtRKVa9Hg
We have also attached photos of the location to this e-mail. There are photos of the back of the center, the front of the building where the center is located next to Majdi Mall, and the inside of the center.
Our evidence comprises of over 12 affidavits by former students and employees, public blog posts, and undercover video evidence. Education Testing services, the US Embassy, and the National Center of Human Rights are privy to this investigation.
The American ESL Center in Amman, Jordan:
A Professional Nightmare
The American English as a Second Language Center (AESLC) is filled with bustling students eager to improve the speaking and listening comprehension skills not available at the traditional four year universities. Wonderful personalities, avid enthusiasts of the English language, and ambitious young adults seek an avenue to explore new opportunities they may ascertain with the English language. On the surface of this apotheosis, the appearance is one of a great business location which buttresses the potential talents of language students. Albeit the cliché involving appearances and deception is a tiring one to read or hear, its veracity has not exhausted as much significance as its waning popularity.
The AESLC has a stature equivalent to most infamous establishments, and it is a poignant example of why labor laws are often beneficial not solely to employees, but to customers and a country. The AESL Center is owned by a husband and wife who claim both American and Jordanian citizenship. Since 2006, the center has promulgated public complaints in blogs and discussion posts on social websites, private and public verbal condemnation, and also formal grievances against the center. The chatter on this place is proliferating and can no longer be ignored. What are the conundrums? The following is a result of a year-long discreet investigation by human rights organization, Collective Consciousness.
Abuse
The abuse of employees and customers encompasses more psychological than physical offenses, yet the damage is just as insidious. The criticism by former employees in a plethora of sworn testimonies range from personal insults of a humiliating manner by the husband-wife martinet owners of this establishment, to being contemned at for false accusations, and to mendacious threats. The only positive aspect of the owners’ severe abuse is they are at least not ribald when humiliating their employees. Several secretaries have been witnessed by teachers and customers, crying and shaking after being hollered at for such trivial mistakes as asking the female owner if she desired coffee, requesting salaries after the center was several months delinquent in releasing the funds to employees, or making a minor error such as forgetting to inform a customer of a TESOL class or a special discount by the center. One former employee stated,
“There are two other examples of unacceptable managerial behavior I witnessed, as did other teachers and students, openly in the center. The first one was a specific incident in which #### [female center owner] yelled and reprimanded a secretary in public while class was in session, sending her to tears. I can’t claim knowledge of the conflict, but feel compelled to mention the sight of the secretary crying. There was a student beside me who asked what had happened. I won’t forget that moment.”
A former coffee boy was sadly seen by two former employees being aggressively slapped, spit on, and chased out of the center by the male owner of the business on more than one occasion.
Teachers have also been menaced and threatened in front of students including one incident where the female owner chased a fleeing teacher out of her office after he repeatedly begged her “please #### , just leave me alone.” This employee was being admonished and mocked in front of the owners’ children and the Lead Instructor, within the confines of her dirty small office for over a time length of an hour. During the course of this interrogation, this employee had answered his phone and acted as if he had hung up his cell phone, when in fact, he kept the phone line open. A colleague on the other line heard the female owner screaming while the victim continuously brooked and requested in a polite and calm manner that he be treated as a human being. When he decided to leave, the female owner yelled, “You’re not going anywhere” and proceeded to hunt him down like prey from her office into the cafeteria area to commence scolding him in front of many students. Another former employee stated, “I have witnessed many experiences where teachers were yelled at, called stupid in many ways, where teachers were threatened by management to not get paid.” Other encounters by past employees enumerate persistent paranoid accusations by the owners against teachers for stealing textbooks, teaching outside of the center, he-said/she-said logomachy, and more.
Other expostulations by several former employees involve the two owners playing a childish game of divide-and-conquer where teachers would be secretly called into the office of either owner and ingratiate the employee with a warning that another instructor is spreading horrible gossip about him or her, that a co-worker is trying to steal or cadge their students or purloin their opportunities for promotion, and more. This type of strategy does well in creating an unhealthy environment where the staff are more concerned about their colleagues’ perfidy and fighting each other rather than on querying why their salaries are late despite the center declaring at a teacher’s meeting the opening of a new AESL center in Irbid city and the purchasing of brand new technologically advanced time clocks by the owners/parvenuses who own the AESL Center, why the printers and computers are suddenly not working immediately prior to deadlines for staff paperwork, why their students have no textbooks two weeks before the end of a six week course, why spurious promises by the owners are not fulfilled, why there is a high rate of employee turnover or signs of abuse in employees, and more. However, there is a plus for the employment of such management strategy, though for the owners. It increases the temporary competitiveness of teachers against each other, and thus augments the productivity of the center’s employees until the antagonist or protagonist of a puppeted conflict quits. As one former employee stated,
“I was also put in the office several times with ####, where she told me about other teachers talking badly about me to my students and to the management. Things escalated (by this I mean this behavior continued and got really uncomfortable) and management was always trying to put blame on the teachers. The teachers started feeling very uncomfortable and for some reason the management liked that and fed off of that. They would try to purposely turn teachers against each other even though it really doesn’t make sense to make the work atmosphere of your own center unbearable!!”
Another employee stated,
“She [the female owner ####] proceeded to talk about another teacher at the center – ##### ##### [instructor and former employee] – and how he was to blame for these behavioral issues with the students. She had reason to believe, she said, that the two students and ##### [instructor and former employee] were in some sort of cahoots, and that in general ##### [former employee] had been spreading misinformation throughout the center in order to stir up trouble. I tried to diffuse the situation, and noted that even if ##### [former employee] had said something offhanded, I’m sure it wasn’t malicious. #### [female center owner] looked at me quite seriously and, I quote to the best of my memory, “No, I know ##### [former employee]. He’s been doing stuff like this for a while.”
I proceeded to tell her that those two students in particular do not talk to ##### [former employee] much, and seeing as we spend all of our breaks in the cafeteria together, that ##### [former employee] is a friend of mine and I know him quite well now as both a friend and a teacher, I think I would know best. #### [female owner] persisted with her version of the story, at which point I told her, as softly as I could, that she was wrong, that this specific event has nothing to do with anyone other than myself and the two troublesome students, but thank you very much for helping me deal with the matter.
I was arrested by the unprofessionalism – to think that a manager would talk about an employee to another employee, a relatively new employee at that, and in such an openly antagonistic and divisive manner. It seemed to me her motive was purely factious: she wanted to pit one teacher against another on ad hominem evidence. Such was my suspicion. The facts are all that speak, and whatever the intention was, I took no part in the game.”
Worse, the owners develop special relationships with certain instructors and malign other employees in discreet conversations. Many former employees recall that the owners of the center share amazing and exaggerated stories of past teachers. One malicious and callous tale is of two former instructors who they claim regularly slept with students, one becoming pregnant from this relationship. This myth has gained popularity because of the owners’ persistent camp fire and Boy Scout like tales of indoctrination to newly employed teachers and students every session. As one former employee demonstrated his knowledge of this popular myth, “Some teachers are unfornately dating some of the center’s students while the students are enrolled. This “word” is getting around about the center. This is also common knowledge amongst the center employees and all involved.”
Another disturbing complaint by prior instructors is that the vertically challenged male owner uses his armed guard to occasionally intimidate and abuse the teachers. One past instructor asserted that she was sexually assaulted by one of the guards. Another teacher affirmed he was physically restrained once for no apparent reason. In a report filed with the US Embassy of Amman, Jordan, a past employee corroborated such behavior. This employee stated that he was threatened verbally and physically to sign a notice of termination. This employee refused to sign the unwonted document when he found irrelevant and personal information on this document about his former spouse. When he proceeded to leave, the owner threatened, “If you leave my office” twice and also commented “you won’t make it past my front guard!” According to this same report, a student distracted the guard long enough for this teacher to escape.
Although the majority of the verbal aspersions originate from the virago female of an owner, do not let her seemingly distant relationship with her husband deceive you. Although the married co-owners decline to publicly state or demonstrate their relationship so as to keep the public guessing, several employees have averred that the husband and wife co-owners plot together in regards to targeting their employees. Sometimes the owners fight each other and the employees are unwillingly dragged into the malaise. It is also salient to highlight that the Lead Instructor of the center is an instrument of their harassment and abuse of other teachers. She is either gullibly manipulated or connivingly complicit, as she hides under the guise of nascent rules to be enforced while granting special attention for disciplinary reprimand toward those employees the owners do not favor. For example, one employee testified he was late for a meeting and consequently castigated for it while being reprimanded with having his class canceled the next day. However, two other employees who were also not present during the same meeting were never acknowledged or reprimanded. This was verified via interviews of both employees who missed the appointment. In another example, a teacher was criticized for not having his displays on his classroom walls organized well enough, while a different instructor received no reprimand despite having less than the minimum amount required. A different former instructor was told to tuck in a portion of his shirt on his side that happened to stick out and then witnessed a favored teacher stroll into the cafeteria to grasp a glass of water with his entire shirt out of his pants. The list continues and the effects of the owner’s targeting against unfavored employees against his favoritism toward specific teachers are more than evident in the latter’s sinecures.
Espionage
More complaints also pertain to allegations which are very unethical and insulting to those workers who have been observant and perceptive to espy abnormalities in their environment. A public blog claims, “…this place is packed with cameras so be very careful.” Another former employee stated, “The center uses spyware on the teachers’ computers, but doesn’t tell them nor is this mentioned in the Employee Handbook. This angered many of the teachers that later left.” These accusations havebeen verified to be true.
Worse, an affidavit by a former employee indicates that the fatuous female owner brought up his friend’s name and continued to request more information in relation to his cohort. He could not contemplate how she ascertained this knowledge and was bewildered as to why this person was of interest to her. He later became disturbed and felt insulted that she furthered her unwonted curiosity by questioning him on this matter repetitively, as if the female owner had the subtle supposition that an employee is obligated to respond to such probing elicitation about an employee’s personal life. A different employee testified that he was asked about particular details from his personal past history by the female owner as well. This employee swore that he was given an unwonted notice of termination to sign that had deceitful disclosure within its contents about comments he supposedly made about his past former wife in the center. Even worse, there is sworn testimony that the center regularly avoids reprimands for its unethical and illegal behavior since 2006 by sharing the personal information of its customers and employees with outside interests desiring to accumulate data on Palestinian activists or anyone who may be of interest. Whatever the derivative is for such unethical and strange patterns of behavior, it is very clear that an investigation has shown that many former employees are very concerned that their personal information has been compromised and shared with others for the benefit of the center’s owners.
Service and Quality
The service and quality at the AESL Center is also atrophied by the owners. As one student posted in Arabic:
المركز أخذت عندهم دورة وطبعا اللي اعطتنا هي ربة منزل امريكية وكان سعرها110 بس المنهاج كان ركيك وما كملناه ….اما الإستقبال مش مريحين في التعامل والكفتيريا أسعارها فلكية.. مواصلاته سهلة ولكن ما بنصح حد ياخد دورة فيه
“The Cafeteria is expensive and doesn’t have a variety of selection. The reception is not comfortable…I don’t advise anyone to take lessons there.”
This complaint is also true.
Prices are exorbitant accompanied by low quality and diversity. The cafeteria charges double the normal rate for beverages than can be purchased in nearby places. Of course, the small amount of time during class breaks indirectly restricts teachers or students from taking a stroll to the next door cafe shop. The only menu selection is coffee, tea, or drinks. The cafeteria is not the sole enigma of this place though. Students have complained that the local newspapers advertised a certain price for classes only to discover they were charged a higher price after registering for classes. In addition, when teachers are enjoying breaks in the cafeteria, where they may puff a cigarette and enjoy coffee in front of gigantic duplicate signs which state in large print “Pay first”, a teacher may find his or herself answering questions by students or fulfilling requests to help with homework until one of the owners arrives enraged that an employee is teaching English for free. One teacher claimed that when he was defending his decision to aid one of his students with her homework during break, his defense was answered by the owners with the retort, “this is bad for business” and “Jordanians always want something for nothing!”
According to former employees; teachers without degrees or experience teach advanced level courses, classes are awarded to those who are savvy in maintaining good relations or remaining obsequious to the owners in contrast to their class performance and credentials, non-native speakers of English are presented as native scholars, lecturers with a modicum of or without any business background are suddenly perspicacious instructors of Business English, and infringed books which can easily be purchased on Amazon.com are copied page-to-page and sold with the courses. The center’s standards also do not meet third party establishments they do business with. For example, the EBC company that approves TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses for customers desiring to be certified for instructing a second language, advertises on its website that its TEFL instructors possess an average of ten to fifteen years experience, but the center regularly endorses TEFL instructors in their TEFL program with zero or null familiarity with teaching a foreign language or who want of adequate academic accolades or degrees. Furthermore, some students have complained that their peers with a close connection with the owners may tread pass the requirements for advanced courses of English. For instance, one former employee stated it was normal for certain pupils of lower English levels to attend the TOEFL preparatory classes he taught even though the center’s policy restricted many others until they reached the upper echelons of the center’s advanced ranks.
The unfulfilled and tumid promises made to instructors employed at the center also trickles down to the students too. According to former clients, many promises of quick and magical improvement in English are made to prospective customers which are often impossible to ascertain. Furthermore, the teaching methodology and style of the center under the tutelage of the center’s female owner is described by former employees and customers as appropriate for young children as opposed to the majority adult specimens in this center’s exploratory English lab of nascent and inchoate pedagogy. One former employee stated,
“I worked at the American ESL Centre on University Road and I don’t recommend it at all. There are no standards in teaching and no conformity. The lessons are poorly organized and a waste of time and money…The owners give students a lot of promises about the classes which aren’t true and don’t end up happening. They are also abusive to teachers.”
Students have other persistent lamentations. Sometimes class books are not given to the students in a decent amount of time or not at all. Just as unfulfilled promises trickle down from employees to customers, the abuse occasionally does as well. In one circumstance, a former teacher testified in his affidavit that the female owner of the center suddenly pulled him to the side one day and demanded he intentionally make a conglomeration of students who had complained earlier about the center, feel stupid in the classroom. Other punishments in the nefarious chain of molestation by the owners entail using teachers as a conduit for retribution against students who have offended them or their business in the slightest manner. This revenge comprises of demanding some instructors to give certain students lower marks, apply rules strictly toward specific students while being lax with the majority, ignoring students within the courses, and more.
Salaries
The aleatory salaries of teachers are the most outstanding problem and cynosure of the stigmatization which plagues this center. Since 2006, many former employees have made remonstrations against the center for receiving their pay late or not getting paid at all. The amount of money owed can extend to such lengths as 1,732 Jordanian Dinars over periods of months with another former employee owed 1,500 dinars for over a year. One former employee sued the center in court as she averred about her civil litigation case:
“I was employed by two of the most disgusting con artists in Jordan. They strictly hire US citizens who are not familiar with the country and fail to pay them their salaries. Fortunately for me, I had dual citizenship and my mother took the bastards to court for my four months of salary. Finally after nearly two years in court, I finally won the case and got my money. For those who are not familiar with the country lost their money and time. It’s tragic to see foreigners have such a horrific experience. I hope the center gets shut down ASAP by the Jordanian government. The US Embassy will not protect any US citizen against these thieves because the center is not approved by the US Embassy so please beware.”
Many empty guarantees are made to the laborers of the center involving payments of courses and private lessons, salary increases, future promotions, and also Jordanian residency in exchange for employment. This fraud does not commence in the beginning, but slowly makes victims of those the owners are not fond of over time for any particular reason. As one former employee stated, “I will say that at my time at the American ESL Center next to Majdi Mall, I was treated very nicely in the beginning and got my pay on time. However, things later (sooner than later really) turned sour.” Another instructor and customer commented after finishing the TEFL courses for training to be an instructor, “Promises of pay raises were promised, teachers took classes online (TEFL) to be certified, with a 20-25JD raise per class being promised, only to find out that once the course was completed (and paid for by teachers themselves) that pay raises were not granted.” An entirely different employee commented in her affidavit about the psychological ramifications on instructors resulting from the center delaying the payment of salaries and the plausible impetus behind such antics:
“They keep promising they will pay and then postpone paying ultimately keeping their staff working for them ‘for free’. Because ultimately, we are afraid to leave because we worry that she will not pay us. Again, keeping us there for free. It is a type of psychological blackmail. “
A different former employee stated,
“Though the employee handbooks, word of mouth promises by the administration, and contracts claim payment is the 5th of every month, the salaries are nearly always late. Often and disturbingly, the salary may not be paid for employees for a period of a month or two. Occasionally, some may never get paid at all. “
Another different employee stated, “Pay was mostly always late, with many excuses given and always putting blame and lying about money being stolen, money not being enough, students not paying etc even though all the teachers and the people working at the front desk, including the accountant who had an office next to the teachers office would say there was money available for the teachers to be paid.”
Another employee stated,
“But twice a week the teachers were told to expect pay in the coming days, and it never came. When I finally took offense at the excessive false promises – after all, many of us teachers had been avoiding our landlords for weeks, and enough was enough – they, the management, were extremely apologetic and promised payment within two days. It did not come for at least another four, and none of the managers in charge of payroll were seen in the building during this time. I do not claim to know why the American ESL Center withheld money for so long, but I refuse to believe any excuse is a valid one. The pedantic scrutiny of our otherwise sufficient work only exacerbated the matter.”
There also exists ‘special taxes’ or missing money that magically emerge and disappear on the receipts of salary payments and from the mouths of the owners. One former jobholder stated that after threatening the owners to pay him his salary,
“#### ###### calculated my pay for the 10 lessons to be equal to 145 JOD, and noted that this amount is tax-deductible. Later when I got paid, I received 125 JOD only. That’s way more than a tax deduction.”
Another employee stated that his employment contract expressed he was supposed to be paid 250 Jordanian Dinars for every class but was only paid 200 JDs, with a verbal oath from the owners to be compensated the remaining balance at a later date and time. However, that remaining balance vanished from the memories of the owners. A huge number of former employees swear an oath that the center promised and blandished them an exact amount of money, this money and more never materialized.
In addition to defrauding instructors, the rules of the center are occasionally strictly enforced via deductions from teachers’ aleatory salaries for the most minor of infractions coincidentally and sequaciously when salaries are delinquent. Otherwise, the enforcement of these rules are ignored or omitted completely, when financial circumstances for the center are up. However, during the downs, if a teacher is not within a classroom five minutes before class the teacher is docked 7 Jordanian Dinars for each offense. Teachers are also deducted pay if lesson plans are not up to par despite the fact that they may be more qualitative than other teachers’ who ingratiate the owners. One former employee stated,
“During my time at the American ESL Center, there were several managerial problems with which I took major issue. I brought some of these to attention, namely the unprofessional and clearly dishonest delay of payroll. The entire staff received their checks over a month late, after repeated false pay dates given from the management. During the month-long period without salary, regulations and restrictions to monitor the teacher’s performance were increased threefold. Management told us that every new rule, regulation, and bit of scrutiny came directly from the Ministry of Education.”
A different employee stated,
“I will, however, state that I witnessed another teacher, ####, be withheld payment for not completing menial paperwork. The rest of the staff was paid, and it was clear that #### had not been, and she was distraught about it. Again, when I inquired about how such a small issue as a few scraps of paper could warrant the withholding of salary, I was rebutted by remarks about “the ministry’s standards” and so forth. I claim no expertise in the matter, but I sincerely doubt the Ministry of Education mandates such delays in the case of a few lesson plans gone askew: there are more far pressing matters in the world of education. There are bookless schools to fill, teacher-less classrooms to fix, and administrative corruptions to unearth. Yet I doubt a ministry of high regard, faced with a hardworking teacher short dotting a few I’s and T’s, would call for such extreme measures.”
In addition to low pay and sporadic deductions of portions of salaries, the center also requires each instructor to donate extra unpaid office hours and attend long and ineffectual workshops. One former employee stated,
“Each teacher is required to do a lot of extra work and attend workshops for which there is no monetary compensation. The workshops at the center can be a few hrs in length, too. Teachers are made to work plenty of overtime without getting paid for it. They don’t pay on time (sometimes not even at all). There is a large turnover of teachers and students because everyone leaves.”
Salaries are not the only disappointing ghosts employees chase. The center does not follow through with expectations advertised. The center fails to fulfill promises of a one year residency card to their employees, comfortable and Western type housing, exciting trips to historical sites, future promotions, pay raises, placement in jobs, and more. Some former employees have stated the pull of such advertisement inevitably led them to a nightmare instead. As one former employee stated,
“Once through immigration [arrival in Jordan], I found there was no one at the airport to bring me to my studio apartment (the one provided in the accommodation package). Slightly confused, I managed to purchase an international calling card and contact Mr. ###### – the individual whose son was initially supposed to pick me up from the airport. I managed to get directions to my temporary residents, and took off to find a taxi. According EBC, transportation to and from the airport was should have been approximately 25 Jordanian Dinars, I paid 35.”
Expecting a three bed room apartment in Jordan that appeared semi-decent according to pictures sent from the female owner of the center to him in the United States, he instead arrived in Jordan and stumbled upon a favela, “I was provided with a studio, a one bedroom studio with no hot water, a broken bed, and no clean drinking water. The fridge did not work and most of the electrical outlets were inoperable.”
This former employee continues, “The EBC website also promised, a two night stay in Pertra and a city tour of Amman. Again, these promises were not upheld by the American ESL Center’s administration or staff.”
He ends,
“The accommodation package was priced at $800, but for what? I was not provided with any of the specifications professed by EBC. So, the ancillary inquest is simple, where did the extra money go? It certainly was not spent on trips and tours, nor was it allocated towards proving me with a proper living arrangements.”
The sidereal dreams of fresh undergraduate students were not the only aspirations crushed by the lies from the charlatans of this center. The former coffee boy illegally worked here for years past his visa expiration, anticipating a promised residency card for him and his family. However, this coffee boy’s employment at the place ended before his ambitions could arise. Another former employee stated that he engaged in a discussion with this employee in front of the center one day and elicited information about his welfare. This same employee testified that the former coffee boy stated that he no longer worked at the AESL center, his wife was in the hospital, and he needed money owed to him from the center from over a year; in order to get his wife out of the hospital.
Attempts to ascertain salaries have always been met with more broken tumid promises and sometimes even threats. As one former employee stated, after arguing with the male owner with a pulchritudinous over-sized belly, “Because of the heated argument with Mr. ##### where I told him I would go see a lawyer about my pay, he threatened that if I were to bring a lawyer, he’d have a 100 lawyers defending him and that I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it because of his family name and money.”
Immigration Fraud
It would be construed as an accurate assessment to assert that the lines of ethics and professionalism have been torn asunder by this center. The center has also breached those demarcation lines pertaining to laws as reports and affidavits have recorded such illegal acts as sexual and simple assault and a reported kidnapping in the preceding paragraphs, and now also immigration fraud. Two former instructors of the center have sworn that the male owner bribed them to provide him crackpot test-takers to score high on the TOEFL exam on behalf of other students. Both teachers testified that they were punished afterwards when they did not carry out this request. The reprimand consisted of the male owner manipulating or ascertaining the complicity of his wife and the Lead instructor of the center to make the worker’s employment at the center unbearable in order to coerce him or her to quit. If the teacher did not resign, he or she would be ultimately fired.
Authenticity
Many former employees were verbally told that the center is affiliated with the American Embassy. Personal visitation to the authentic language institute which ‘is’ affiliated to the US Embassy, the American Language Center, and direct contact with the US Embassy of Amman, Jordan have determined that this spurious claim is not true. Nevertheless, this fabrication brings in customers and teachers.
One public blog post by someone under the name Sand Teacher from the American Language Center which ‘is’ connected to the American Embassy stated,
“I am connected with the American Language Center (http://www.alc.edu.jo), an extension of the Public Affairs section of the Embassy of the United States in Amman, Jordan.
If you hear the name American ESL Center, PLEASE DO NOT confuse them with the AUTHENTIC American Language Center–we are two entirely separate and unrelated entities, though some would like to take advantage of our excellent reputation by sowing seeds of identity confusion.
We would cringe at any of the above-mentioned things being done in our center. If these things are true, and they are being done by Americans working in Jordan, it is shameful and unacceptable. I apologize on their behalf for tarnishing the reputation of Americans.”
Another comment on the discussion forum stated,
“To repeat a previous post from 2009, the American ESL Center is not AMIDEAST or the American Language Center. The ESL Center has had a bad reputation for some years now.”
A totally different blog post stated,
“Please note that the phone number listed is NOT their number, but is the phone number of the American Language Center (552-3901) located off Madina Munawara Street next to Queen Alia College. The ALC is affiliated with the U. S. Embassy in Amman, and does NOT have any other branches in Amman.”
It is pertinent to also briefly mention that the center regularly copies page-to-page Longman’s Preparation for the TOEFL Exam: The Paper Test by Deborah Phillips and consistently distributes those replicas for sale to students. A query as to whether the center has a license or permission to do this by a phone call to Longman’s company representative has revealed the center does not have the legal authority to do so. Copies of the books they have sold with the center’s logo on it are now circulating among authorities.
Conclusion
Reiterating a point made in the beginning of this article, the labor laws of Jordan must be improved. It is an awesome country with kind hearted people and an amazingly large and unequaled hospitality. However, its tourism and educational services cannot reach its potential when stymied by crooked places as in this article, taking advantage of the foreigners with dreams and open minds and hearts, who come to explore the great Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan only to be vexed and victimized to augment the pelf of the avarice. When one attempts to imagine the consequences of such an atmosphere, one can assume this is one of the many reasons that the employee turnover rate at this center is higher than any sidereal pinnacle in the mountainous region of Amman, Jordan. But this center has to be shut down before this cancer grows! The Jordanian people’s heart is well known, as it sustains refugees of all types despite the detrimental effect on its own economy. There are other countries such as Bangladesh that refuse to succor those who are fleeing danger. Many have to extend a sincere thanks to the people of Jordan for following their heart and religion. But we still can use progress.
As one former employee of the center stated,
“Keep in mind that the center is owned and operated by Americans who live here in Jordan. Some of the things stated above wouldn’t be allowed in the States, but they happen here. Rules are different. Labor protection is different. Certain situations were taken advantage of in the minds of many of the center’s former teachers.”
Why do some workers endure such treatment for a while before quitting? Many of the employees do not complain because they need the money. Others don’t care as long as they eventually get paid because they do not have the experience to get a better and more reputable job. And others fall for the initial cadging and lies without having the acumen or common sense to see past the words and acts of professional charlatans. Another exigent question is how can the center get away with such acts for so long? Some say it is because the owners’ family who are in higher and more affluent positions within the Jordanian government have enabled them, by protecting them. Others say it is because they share the personal information of its employees with others to avoid reprimand. Perhaps it is a combination of both. Finally, why have past employees not filed a civil litigation suit or complained louder or plighted to battle this monster? It is because some feel they don’t have the time nor money for the long drawn-out court process, others say that the Jordanian people and government are desensitized to endemic corruption because it is the norm here and thus neither the former or latter will care or help, a larger proportion are afraid of the repercussions by the owners’ large and affluent family, and a smaller portion just do not care for people’s rights including their own. One former employee stated,
“Dear ESL Cafe Subscribers,
This is a warning to anyone considering a position at The American ESL Center. It is a center located on Queen Rania Street near Jordan University. I worked there from September through December and received NO SALARY! People warned me before I got the job there that others, who worked at the center, did not receive their salary either, but I did not listen.
I worked my tail off, and the owner of the place, along with her husband completely cheated me. They particularly choose American citizens because the owners assume that most Americans who work there will leave the country and not fight for their rights. Furthermore, the owners of the center come from a huge family. Because Jordan is such a tribal country, big families with power can get away with lots of criminal acts (like hiring people and not paying them a salary).
Please take what I have written under considertation. These people are liars and thieves!!”
Regardless of the differences of opinions as to the answers to the questions above, what matters now is will this microcosm of corruption, the American ESL Center, be allowed to persist here in Jordan with impunity? Or is justice and truth principles that the government and people of Jordan not only enforce, but also protect and reward those who strive for such traits to be attributed to the great Kingdom of Jordan? Or will Jordan demonstrate it doesn’t possess such large distinctions from some of its neighbors? This investigation and article was made possible because a combination of Jordanian and American paladins worked together to make a stand when many refused to. It is a mystery as to why Educational Testing Services and the US Embassy in Jordan have been munifecent to the American ESL Center in not shutting them down to preclude more harm to other innocent victims. As one former employee stated,
“As an Arab American, this was a disgrace to have to go through all of the humiliation and see teachers continually not get paid, get yelled at, called names and promised many things that never ever were fulfilled by the management there. Yes I only quit and went to get my money weeks later and didn’t go to make a complaint even though I knew and still know that what goes on at that center is disgusting, illegal, and immoral. I am glad that someone had the guts to stick up for what has happened and what continues to still happen at the American ESL Center and I am happy to get to state only some of the things that happened at this center that I have honestly witnessed. All of the teachers that start at the center leave after they witness these things and we are a large team, glad that we can finally take a stand together against these injustices.”
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the adjective professional means “characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession or exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace.”
None of the preceding traits can infer that the American ESL Center is professional, diametrically and more accurately, it is a professional nightmare which must be condemned.
(Sources derive from public posts on discussion boards, video evidence, and many affidavits.)
http://jo.jeeran.com/en/p/the-american-esl-center-amman/
(VIDEO) Collective Consciousness: ‘We Will Return’
MAR 12, 2015 REPUBLISHED FROM IMEMC NEWS: HTTPS://IMEMC.ORG/ARTICLE/70874/
This Collective Consciousness music creation is dedicated to the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees worldwide and is simply titled, ‘We Will Return.’ The creation is a multi-lingual amalgam also aimed at raising awareness of Palestinian refugees’ plight in consequence to an absence of citizenship rights in their country of refuge.
It is showcased in Arabic/English with subtitle translations and also filmed on location in Gaza Camp, Jordan by Siraj Davis and Belal Omar. Ali Mousa Zubidi and Yaser Al Haddad at Trio Productions (https://www.facebook.com/TRIOProductionsJO Jordan) remade the music beat donated by Yazeed Abu Darwish of DZK Productions, recorded the vocals in the studio, and helped create the footage at the expense of Collective Consciousness.
A Collective Consciousness and TJP Production 